Some helpful tips/ info which I have gathered from this forum in all the months of researching and asking questions:
1. No staplers!No bookbinding! Use paperclips or binder clips instead
2. Use tabs and table of contents for better organization
3. Follow checklist for the order of documents
4. Immigrant photos – do not attach on forms, put in small envelope and paperclip to the forms
- It is unclear whether to label 1 photo only among the 9, or label all the nine, so what I did is to provde two sets, one set with only one labeled photo fo the 9, and second set with all 9 photos labeled at the back. I provided an explanation for this, and told them to feel free to discard whchever set will not be used.
5. Letters / Greeting cards – ok to send originals, but ok also to scan, just explain why u are not sending originals
6. Photos – ok to print on photo paper, ok also to print on bond paper with several photos per sheet, with captions (when, where, who is in the photo, who took it, event)
7. Other documents like receipts, etc – ok to paste on paper, ok also to scan and print
8. PDF forms – ok to handwrite when filling up but preferred and better to type it
9. Letters and emails – unofficial translations – this is still a gray area, but presumed ok to be translated unofficialy (by ourselves or family member) just explain this fact and indicate that if they deem it necessary to have official translations then u can provide later on.
10. On the forms, Given name includes Middle Names if you have one (mother's maiden surname) and u may still use your maiden name (if u r married) on the forms. I just checked yes on "other names used" and included my married name.
11. Paper to use – doesnt matter. But we used 8.5x11 for the forms (this is the default in the pdf files) and used A4 for proof of relationship or other additional sheets (coz we have plenty of A4 stocked at home)
12. Any additonal sheet we attached, we put the name of sponsored person, date of birth, name of form, question number and the question being answered
13. Fees- preferred method – Bank or Online? I have read many problems encountered with online payment so I went with bank payment. I ordered the receipt form online.
14. Mailing: you can mail through Canada post or through courier:
if we mail it through good 'ol post office, the address to mail it to is:
Case Processing Centre ─ Mississauga
P.O. Box 3000, Station A
Mississauga, Ontario
L5A 4N6
but if we send it using courier service, the address to send the application to is:
Case Processing Centre - Mississauga
2 Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 1200
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1H8
Addendum: no minimum req'd income for spouse sponsorship, u can even be unmeployed but shld not be receiving welfare. However, i provided an explanation that i am still searching for a job since I just got back and i will be employed soon. and i explained how am i going to manage for the meantime. I included letters frm my parents and in laws That they are willing to support me for the meantime and from my cousin in Calgary that they will let me stay with them, free food, lodging and utilities until i get a job and afford to have my own place
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
