Just getting married and looking for the absolute best path/option for PR

[rhcohen2014]

So in a digital age we don't really have much *physical* mail addressed to us (although we do have a wedding invite from last year). We have a metric ton of emails though about everything from weekend plans to travelling which are for both of us. I'm just worried about including emails as someone could rule them as easily faked (although they absolutely aren't!). Should we include reference letters from our friends and family confirming that we're in a genuine relationship? That would be easy and we could include as many as reasonably needed. Also, she speaks perfect English (better than most native speakers).

One thing I just thought about which may cause a problem though. Last year she was denied a student visa on the grounds that the visa officer didn't believe she would leave the country after her study period had ended. In all fairness that is 100% true since we were planning on applying for spousal PR half way through her study period anyways. We didn't appeal the decision and decided to just go for spousal PR. I was on the original student application though with a letter saying that she was living with me and I was helping her with expenses since we were in a relationship. So at the very least, I guess it establishes that we actually were in a relationship back then too? I am worried that one rejected student application could hurt us in the long run.... but logically it doesn't seem like it would. What are your thoughts?

be careful about sending in *too* much proof. for legit couples, only a small sampling of communications is all that's necessary. there are reports that suggest visa officers are suspicious when applications are 100s of pages long. it's more important to show an ongoing relationship that is known to other people. there is no need to send them an account of every single communication sent/received or letters from everyone you know. they will get the point with a small selection.

there is no need to worry about previous failed applications. it has no bearing on your application and you are worrying about nothing. there are plenty of people who have been deined previous applications or entry into canada (self included) who have successfully become pr.

 

[Ponga]

be careful about sending in *too* much proof. for legit couples, only a small sampling of communications is all that's necessary. there are reports that suggest visa officers are suspicious when applications are 100s of pages long. it's more important to show an ongoing relationship that is known to other people. there is no need to send them an account of every single communication sent/received or letters from everyone you know. they will get the point with a small selection.

there is no need to worry about previous failed applications. it has no bearing on your application and you are worrying about nothing. there are plenty of people who have been deined previous applications or entry into canada (self included) who have successfully become pr.

At the same time, nobody can fault an applicant (especially an Inland applicant) that `throws everything and the kitchen sink' at CIC, since they only have one chance to convince CIC that they're very much genuine. Granted, if I knew then what I know now...I'd have sent ~10% of what I did send. LOL!

 

[epmarshall]

be careful about sending in *too* much proof. for legit couples, only a small sampling of communications is all that's necessary. there are reports that suggest visa officers are suspicious when applications are 100s of pages long. it's more important to show an ongoing relationship that is known to other people. there is no need to send them an account of every single communication sent/received or letters from everyone you know. they will get the point with a small selection.

Any tips or pointers on how much proof to send or what a small sampling of communications would be? I feel like I would be the type to send way too much.

 

[OhCanadiana]

So in a digital age we don't really have much *physical* mail addressed to us (although we do have a wedding invite from last year). We have a metric ton of emails though about everything from weekend plans to travelling which are for both of us. I'm just worried about including emails as someone could rule them as easily faked (although they absolutely aren't!). Should we include reference letters from our friends and family confirming that we're in a genuine relationship? That would be easy and we could include as many as reasonably needed. Also, she speaks perfect English (better than most native speakers).

One thing I just thought about which may cause a problem though. Last year she was denied a student visa on the grounds that the visa officer didn't believe she would leave the country after her study period had ended. In all fairness that is 100% true since we were planning on applying for spousal PR half way through her study period anyways. We didn't appeal the decision and decided to just go for spousal PR. I was on the original student application though with a letter saying that she was living with me and I was helping her with expenses since we were in a relationship. So at the very least, I guess it establishes that we actually were in a relationship back then too? I am worried that one rejected student application could hurt us in the long run.... but logically it doesn't seem like it would. What are your thoughts?

Include proof of your relationship building before that application was submitted so that it isn't seen as something that happened in response to that denial (as a means to move to Canada). The denial shouldn't affect your application in any other way. If she declared your relationship in that application it indeed serves as proof.

You could include a selection of e-mails (don't worry about proving it's genuine) and some reference letters if you wish; many people have. Reference letters are requested for common-law and conjugal partners, but not married couples. Photos, financial intermingling of affairs, emotional reliance on each other are all quite important considerations too. Remember they'll be looking at the totality of the evidence. So, think big picture. Take a look at this post for some ideas of categories of evidence.

 

[OhCanadiana]

At the same time, nobody can fault an applicant (especially an Inland applicant) that `throws everything and the kitchen sink' at CIC, since they only have one chance to convince CIC that they're very much genuine. Granted, if I knew then what I know now...I'd have sent ~10% of what I did send. LOL!

Agree (for all applicants)! I think it's relatively easy for them to quickly flip through the evidence and selectively pick and choose. They may groan about the trees (and perhaps scanning it in), but won't have doubts about your relationship! Sending more takes more time but can provide peace of mind. And, I firmly believe that it's better to double check upfront and send a bit more rather than a bit too little because once your application goes off the standard track you're looking at significantly longer waiting times as correspondence goes back and forth (and possibly interviews, etc).