How did you organize/pack your application/evidence?

[beeelythe]

We're preparing everything to be sent in and I'm not sure how to best organize the package.

I think I'm going to put everything in a box.

- A large envelope with the forms.
- A folder with our photos sorted into pages of sleeves.
- Another folder with the letters of support from our friends and family.
- Another folder with additional documentation like bank statements, phone records, Facebook printouts, etc.
- A cd-r with everything backed up digitally.

Did you guys label each item with your names? Did you put evidence in binders or folders or envelopes? How big was your parcel? How much stuff did you send and what kind?

 

[newlife23]

I don't think it is good idea to send the cd. CIC has specifically mentioned no cd.

 

[beeelythe]

Oh! Good to know. Where did it mention that?

 

[ShaunT]

This is taken from Appendix A Western Europe. Note it also says not to use binders. Check your specific forms. I have read somewhere else as well where it explicitly states do not send cd's, electronic greeting cards etc.

Assemble all your documents as listed. Check () each applicable item on the list and attach the list to your documents (a paper clip will do). Send originals of the immigration forms (items 1 to 5 below) and police certificates. Send photocopies of all other documents, unless instructed otherwise. Do not send your documents in transparency pockets, binders or folders. If your documents are not in English or French, send a notarized (certified) translation with a copy of the originals.

 

[scarycemetery]

I assembled everything in the order that was on the checklists at the end of each application. So i organized all of my (sponsor) required papers and additional info I wanted to add in like my tax information and whatnot..put all of those together with a paperclip. Then I organized all of my spouse's papers in the order on the checklist, and put all of the required papers from the "region specific forms" behind those ones. Those all went together with another paper clip. Then I put all proof...emails, chat logs, phone bills, pictures, wedding pictures...into another paper clip. Then I put those three stacks into one big envelope.

As the others here have said, it says in the application not to send CDs or other electronic things, so I would just send paper/photo proof.

 

[beeelythe]

Ah... I was going to organize everything in folders, but now I won't. I think I'll have to put the photographs in envelopes, though, since there are going to be about 100 of them.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Kaycee1]

On our forms where we did our "essay" about how we met, how our relationship progressed, etc, I referenced extra proof that we sent in (such as "See attachment #1, copy of lease agreement", and numbered and labelled everything cross referenced to the essays. I think that makes it easy for them to find everything too. Just another suggestion!

 

[Gemini1]

Kaycee...you wrote a letter about your relationship? I didn't know we had to do that?

 

[suki]

I did the same Kaycee, my husband and I both wrote letters and submitted them, also I had our pictures made into collages from Walmart and sent in 5 sheets instead of loose photos! the sheets had about 30-35 pictures on each one!

 

[Moonlightprancer]

I had the same question myself. After much research reading what other people did I took large envelopes and placed all forms for sponsor in one and applicant in the other. I then organized all my evidence into sections (travel, communication, restaurants / outings, joint accounts, wedding/honeymoon, letters from friends/ family, ) then I placed them in chronological order photocopied and made a table of contents on cardstock so it would stand out. I then placed each section in it's own envelope with a label attached stating" Mr and Mrs_____________ Type of sponsor package, evidence of relationship: communication etc". I did the same with the pictures in smaller envelopes then put everything in a box. I neatly placed a quick letter stating please accept this package yada yada yada and sent it via courier.
Remember to put your name and place , and date on the back of all photographs place them in an envelope. NO CD's !!! I found mailing labels were the easiest so the pictures are not damaged. I have heard that sometimes they do not mail back your evidence including pictures so make copies of everything. Better to be safe than sorry. I had a friend who's file was lost and she had hardly anything in hard copy to replace it with . PHOTOCOPY EVERYTHING!!!!

I almost cried as the courier walked away with it as I knew it was beyond my control after that ! I figure the easier the package is to read and the more organized it is the easier it will be to read and follow your life on paper. Hopefully this will mean a speedy process.



Hope this helps.