How important is a joint account?

[scylla]

one more thing: for common-law is more important to include than for the married category!!!

I agree with this statement. We didn't include a joint bank account statement with our application (we were married) and this didn't seem to be a problem.

We have several joint bank accounts now - we just didn't at the time the application was sent in.

 

[TGR]

Hi Boracay,
I included proof of my joint account with my husband and the account was only 3 months old at the time. I don't know where you are living at the moment, but I managed to go to my bank in Canada and ask them for a letter stating that my husband and I had joint chequings and savings accounts at their bank. It cost me $12, but it's a signed letter from the bank and it didn't state on the letter when the account was opened, just that we had a joint accounts.

 

[Boracay]

Hmmm that might be good. I'm sure I can get a letter from the manager at my bank as we have good relations. If they state we have a joint bank account and when it was opened maybe we don't have to include
(how little our) transactions amount to?

 

[TGR]

Hmmm that might be good. I'm sure I can get a letter from the manager at my bank as we have good relations. If they state we have a joint bank account and when it was opened maybe we don't have to include
(how little our) transactions amount to?

Yeah exactly. My letter just stated our names, that we had joint bank accounts and that we were in good standing with the bank. The letter didn't mention the account balances, when the account was open or how often we use it. However this all depends on you: if you want to show some sort of joint tranactions or if money was deposited into the account by your partner, etc, it certainly won't hurt your case.

 

[rjessome]

Don't spend too much time worrying about this. A joint account will not make or break an application. The VO is looking for indicators of a bona fide, conjugal relationship when they assess each application. A joint account can be considered "towards" the assessment but it is certainly not the only thing they look at. Not by a long shot!

My husband and I don't have a joint account and probably never will! That's just the way we live and manage our finances. It's a personal choice we made for various reasons, all of which make complete sense and the fact that we discussed and decided this proves MORE towards genuineness than a piece of paper with two names on it.

Look, not saying it is wrong to do it if it works for you as a couple. But looking contrived can be dangerous as well. So, the original question was How important is a joint account? On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it a 3.

 

[missmini]

Don't spend too much time worrying about this. A joint account will not make or break an application. The VO is looking for indicators of a bona fide, conjugal relationship when they assess each application. A joint account can be considered "towards" the assessment but it is certainly not the only thing they look at. Not by a long shot!

My husband and I don't have a joint account and probably never will! That's just the way we live and manage our finances. It's a personal choice we made for various reasons, all of which make complete sense and the fact that we discussed and decided this proves MORE towards genuineness than a piece of paper with two names on it.

Look, not saying it is wrong to do it if it works for you as a couple. But looking contrived can be dangerous as well. So, the original question was How important is a joint account? On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it a 3.

true but for common-law it is on their list, even on the checklist for our region...better put accent on it especially if u lack other proofs...

 

[cleo]

I don't understand why you need a joint account unless you are living together. I personally think it makes you look desperate, trying to cover all bases. Opening an account and just putting a bit of money in it? What purpose does that serve? Some married/partnered couples in Canada have separate accounts. If they ever ask us why we don't , we'll just reply that there is no point in it until we are both here together. How can my husband apply for an account anyway if he doesn't live here? Visa officers aren't stupid.

 

[canadianwoman]

The original poster is living with his partner, and they do have a joint account. Get the letter from the bank and include it. No need to mention or show how often you use it.

 

[missmini]

the original question is about joint account for someone who lives with his partner and is in common-law...for common-law it could be an important good proof especially because when u r common-law u need to proove it vs when u r married u just have the certificate and that's it

 

[Boracay]

So I went to the bank today and they can make a letter of confirmation for me.

It will state who is on the account, and how much is currently in the account. And todays date.
Optional if I want to say how long we had the account open.

Do you guys think the above will be enough?
If I state yes, I get this letter of confirmation in October, that would mean that it's 5 months old.
Is it better to state yes or no?

Also should I ask for a statement listing all the transactions? If just leave out this information?

Thanks everyone!

 

[missmini]

So I went to the bank today and they can make a letter of confirmation for me.

It will state who is on the account, and how much is currently in the account. And todays date.
Optional if I want to say how long we had the account open.

Do you guys think the above will be enough?
If I state yes, I get this letter of confirmation in October, that would mean that it's 5 months old.
Is it better to state yes or no?

Also should I ask for a statement listing all the transactions? If just leave out this information?

Thanks everyone!

i would say from when the account is open but it's really up to u....for the transactions it depends: if u'll actually do transactions which will help ur cause - buying home appliances, furniture, booking a hotel, other travel expenses, paying rent, bills, etc then u could show it and emphasize those expenses...if not, then i don't see the point...

i encourage u to read the OP-2 Manual especially the sections about cohabitation, common-law and anything which might relate to ur situation; good luck

 

[rjessome]

true but for common-law it is on their list, even on the checklist for our region...better put accent on it especially if u lack other proofs...

You realize these are examples, not requirements.

 

[canadianwoman]

So I went to the bank today and they can make a letter of confirmation for me.

It will state who is on the account, and how much is currently in the account. And todays date.
Optional if I want to say how long we had the account open.

Have them include when you opened the account. Then that will be enough. If, as Missmini said, you actually have a fair number of transactions, it would be good to include the monthly statements; without a lot of use, I would just use this letter.

 

[missmini]

You realize these are examples, not requirements.

in the guide for our region if ur civil status is common-law they have 3 things: common rent, joint accounts, affidavits stating that u live together....at what point it becomes requirement (all required) and at what point is an example (only one would be enough) i don't know...i would like to know but i don't have their experience; so no idea when it's enough for proofs and when it's not :-\

 

[whoopi83]

We are common law - (see earlier posts for what we included and didn't) but suffice to say, we didn't have a joint account. Single accounts at the same address. We blacked out transactions, no need in someone knowing where we do our shopping. Like a few others have mentioned, the VO is looking for evidence that supports your assertion, that you are a couple. Include letters, emails to one another, evidence that you live at the same address etc.