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How I organized our applcation and a summary of all helpful tips I have learned

tink23

Champion Member
Apr 23, 2011
1,598
36
Category........
Visa Office......
Santo Domingo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Aug 23, 2012
File Transfer...
Oct 9, 2012
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
Nov 26, 2012
VISA ISSUED...
Dec 4, 2012
cranberries said:
thanks for posting this...gosh i thought this could be done in 3 days.this is obviously no joke.
3 days! :eek: Don't we all wish! lol
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
suki said:
pelipeli hubby soon come!! ya mon!! ;D
my sweetness has been home going on 2 months and it's wonderful!! Life is good, God is GREAT!
One Love
Oh you're so lucky! Congrats and Enjoy Canada =)
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
cranberries said:
thanks for posting this...gosh i thought this could be done in 3 days.this is obviously no joke.
All in all it took us .. dun dun dun dun... 3-4 months!

I started seriously reading the guides and reading thru this forum in October 2011 (I printed the guides and forms when we got married last June but I put off getting started for 3 months, coz I thought at first that it would be also very easy,quick and painless)

I started gathering the documents needed and compiled all pictures, letters, emails, etc around Nov 2011, then actually started filling up the forms and laying out the the proof of relationship and other evidences in December, then printed off everything, organized and did the final paging a few weeks to a few days before I left for Canada in January. ;D

But please, I'm not trying to scare anyone..
that's just me.. I had all the spare time back then (I wasn't working), that's why I took my time.
And I was so obsessive compulsive over it that I'm sure it took me much more time than necessary =)
I'm sure many people have done it in much less time and did just fine =) Really depends on your application size and the uniqueness of your case =)
 

cranberries

Hero Member
Apr 16, 2012
365
7
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18/01/2013
AOR Received.
21/01/2013 AIP Received 14/02/2013
Med's Done....
26/11/2012
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
18/07/2013
VISA ISSUED...
10/29/2013
LANDED..........
12/08/2013
pelipeli said:
All in all it took us .. dun dun dun dun... 3-4 months!

I started seriously reading the guides and reading thru this forum in October 2011 (I printed the guides and forms when we got married last June but I put off getting started for 3 months, coz I thought at first that it would be also very easy,quick and painless)

I started gathering the documents needed and compiled all pictures, letters, emails, etc around Nov 2011, then actually started filling up the forms and laying out the the proof of relationship and other evidences in December, then printed off everything, organized and did the final paging a few weeks to a few days before I left for Canada in January. ;D



But please, I'm not trying to scare anyone..
that's just me.. I had all the spare time back then (I wasn't working), that's why I took my time.
And I was so obsessive compulsive over it that I'm sure it took me much more time than necessary =)
I'm sure many people have done it in much less time and did just fine =) Really depends on your application size and the uniqueness of your case =)

we are actually planning to get married in August, in Gods will ::), we don't wanna be apart for so long so we decided to look into the process and the requirements and all that stuff. this is actually very helpful so i can start gathering the documents etc, that would definitely speed up the process. :)
I am working but i have lots of time in my hand, so i am planning to do it like you did, organized ;D

you were actually able to be with your hubby even before the approval of the petition?wow!how lucky you are.I know this is out of the original topic,but we are looking into the possibility of getting me a tourist visa so we can be together while waiting for the approval of the petition. is it really possible to get a visit visa approved, i mean is being married to a canadian man a red flag ?
 

blondie1216

Hero Member
Jun 1, 2012
887
11
Category........
Visa Office......
Kingston, Jamaica
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-03-2012 received 26-03-2012
AOR Received.
27-06-2012
File Transfer...
27-06-2012
Med's Done....
11-25-2011 extension requested from IO 11-20-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
December 27th, 2012
VISA ISSUED...
January 14th, 2013 Decision Made!
LANDED..........
In a minute!
This is great! I wish I had seen this before I did my application! It is very useful!
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
cranberries said:
we are actually planning to get married in August, in Gods will ::), we don't wanna be apart for so long so we decided to look into the process and the requirements and all that stuff. this is actually very helpful so i can start gathering the documents etc, that would definitely speed up the process. :)
I am working but i have lots of time in my hand, so i am planning to do it like you did, organized ;D

you were actually able to be with your hubby even before the approval of the petition?wow!how lucky you are.I know this is out of the original topic,but we are looking into the possibility of getting me a tourist visa so we can be together while waiting for the approval of the petition. is it really possible to get a visit visa approved, i mean is being married to a canadian man a red flag ?
yes, definitely start now, your old photos together, emails, letters you exchanged over the course of your relationship... you may want to also start your relationship essays if you wish to submit one.. =)
I was able to be with hubby before the application coz I landed as a PR in January 2011 in Canada, then I immediately went back home in February 2011 , got married in June 2011 and came back here for good January 2012 =) So when I submitted our application, I was already here in Canada and we were already apart =(

Yes, its definitely possible for you to apply for a tourist visa while your application is in process, I just don't know what is the success rate in doing this, It really depends, like for us, Hubby also wanted to apply for a TRV but since our VO issues passport request very early in the process, coming here would just complicate things for us so we decided to wait it out, however hard as it may be.

Being married to a Canadian man in itself is not a red flag =) but when combined with other cases like big age difference, religious, language and cultural differences, it could be, but it's really up to you to prove your genuine relationship. if you have enough evidence, it would make a strong case and you will have nothing to worry about. try reading around more, type "red flag" in the search box , i know i've come across a listing of possible / common red flags in this forum before...

Best of luck ;D and Best wishes too ;D
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
blondie1216 said:
This is great! I wish I had seen this before I did my application! It is very useful!
Thank you ;D
 

cranberries

Hero Member
Apr 16, 2012
365
7
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18/01/2013
AOR Received.
21/01/2013 AIP Received 14/02/2013
Med's Done....
26/11/2012
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
18/07/2013
VISA ISSUED...
10/29/2013
LANDED..........
12/08/2013
sorry i got confused with your case.thanks for clarifying :) I've read in other forums that it has a low success rate. We still have to decide if we will give it a go.My mind has the tendency to run 150mph in circles, lol, so i think we will focus on the PR visa docs and our lil wedding :)

thank you girl for taking the time to answer all our questions.this is definitely not my last one.

Take care :)
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
cranberries said:
sorry i got confused with your case.thanks for clarifying :) I've read in other forums that it has a low success rate. We still have to decide if we will give it a go.My mind has the tendency to run 150mph in circles, lol, so i think we will focus on the PR visa docs and our lil wedding :)

thank you girl for taking the time to answer all our questions.this is definitely not my last one.

Take care :)
No problem, just PM me if you have more questions, that way I get an email notification and I can address it right away =)
 

cranberries

Hero Member
Apr 16, 2012
365
7
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18/01/2013
AOR Received.
21/01/2013 AIP Received 14/02/2013
Med's Done....
26/11/2012
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
18/07/2013
VISA ISSUED...
10/29/2013
LANDED..........
12/08/2013

rabby

Member
Jul 9, 2012
16
0
Hi can you help to this:

1. In IM5669 indicate whether you are applicant or spouse which one i will check it?

2.IM5490

Q#14 -Was there a formal ceremony to recognized/celebrate the engagement?
should i check yes because i made a surprise proposal?

Q# 24 & 25 - have you visited your sponsor or your sponsor visited you during your relationship?
Can you give me any idea what to answer on this...

What did you write in the form if your answer is on other sheet of paper

thanks a lot
 

figgy

Star Member
Jan 10, 2012
159
4
Toronto, Canada
Category........
Visa Office......
Sydney
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
09-07-2012
AOR Received.
24-09-2012
File Transfer...
24-09-2012
Med's Done....
23-06-2012
Passport Req..
10-12-2012
VISA ISSUED...
10-01-2013
LANDED..........
12-01-2013
Pelipeli,

just wanted to say thank you for posting all those great pictures! i sent my application today and followed your layout, which was so helpful for keeping everything organized!

i sent it in 4 envelopes since i had so much "proof of relationship" stuff but it basically looked like yours


so thank you so much for the help!
 

rhenanjay

Hero Member
Jan 27, 2012
850
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
@pelipeli,
i have some questions,
my wife already received her approval letter dated July 9, 2012, my questions are the ff:

how did u know CEM received the file transfer?

when ur spouse recvd his PPR, what other documents did they ask for? and what courier was used to send those?

thnx
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
rabby said:
Hi can you help to this:

1. In IM5669 indicate whether you are applicant or spouse which one i will check it?

2.IM5490

Q#14 -Was there a formal ceremony to recognized/celebrate the engagement?
should i check yes because i made a surprise proposal?

Q# 24 & 25 - have you visited your sponsor or your sponsor visited you during your relationship?
Can you give me any idea what to answer on this...

What did you write in the form if your answer is on other sheet of paper

thanks a lot
1. principal applicant
2.
Q#14 - if you had a "celebration" like a special dinner or something , its a yes. for us we said no coz we didn't have a formal proposal
Q# 24 & 25 - for us we explained that since we spent almost all of our rel'p in one city there was no need for "visits" , i think this is more for couples in long distance rel'p.

What did you write in the form if your answer is on other sheet of paper - hubby and i each wrote an essay detailing , in a more subjective matter, how our rel'p progressed , how we fell in love with each other, being married to each other, what we like doing together, etc etc etc....

sorry for late reply. been busy stampeding here in calgary =)
 

pelipeli

Champion Member
Sep 30, 2011
1,205
61
124
Calgary Alberta CND
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 25, 2012
AOR Received.
none
File Transfer...
Sponsor approved: May 1,2012; file rcvd by CEM: May 8
Med's Done....
Dec 19,2011
Passport Req..
PPR date: May10, PPR rcvd: May16, PP sent: May 17 ,PP rcvd by CEM:May18
VISA ISSUED...
IP: Aug16, DM: Aug19 Visa Issue Date: August 16, 2012 Visa rcvd: Aug24
LANDED..........
September 20, 2012, PR card received Nov 23,2012
figgy said:
Pelipeli,

just wanted to say thank you for posting all those great pictures! i sent my application today and followed your layout, which was so helpful for keeping everything organized!

i sent it in 4 envelopes since i had so much "proof of relationship" stuff but it basically looked like yours

so thank you so much for the help!
my pleasure =) good luck in your app! =)