agpkn said:
Hey SpoonRaccoon,
Thanks a lot for such a detailed reply. hime is right, this will indeed help a lot of people like me. It has almost answered all my questions regarding this whole process, the docs to attach etc.
While reading your reply, I noticed something and would appreciate if you can clarify it.
1-You said you filled IMM0008DEP for your spouse. My understanding (derived from the IMM5690-provincial nominee checklist) is that the IMM0008DEP is filled only by the principal applicant in cases when he/she has more than five dependents. I don't know about your case but in my case I don't think I will have to fill this as I only will have my spouse as the one dependent on me.
2- Do we need to attach the filled checklist (including those self addressed mailing labels etc) for wife's application as well?
3- This one might sound weird but I was told by a friend that we should add in a few pics of the wedding ceremony just to show that its not a marriage of convenience and stuff. I don't see anywhere in the docs where its mentioned that we should add such photos. Just wondering if it would be a good idea to add them or send it when they ask for proof?
Thanks,
agpkn
Hello again agpkn,
Let me try to answer your questions the best I can.
Question 1:
My wife is my only dependent and I wasn't aware that you needed at least 5 dependents to fill that form. The information about the forms I mentioned that you need to fill came from an email that CIC sent. In the email, they mentioned that the form IMM 5562 (Supplementary Information - Your travels) needed to be submitted in case there were changes. As such, making it optional. However, they didn't mentioned that the form IMM 0008DEP (Additional Dependants/Declaration) was optional in case you have more than 5 dependents. So there might be 2 possible reasons for this.
1. There might be a contradiction(doubt it) or an error(most likely) and the case processing agent forgot to mention that you need to fill that form in case you have more than 5 dependents.
2. The process of updating your documents does require this form.
So, let's assume both cases.
Case 1: the form isn't needed
If this is the case, CIC won't send you back anything saying that your application had an extra form. The form will be most likely discarded. I sent this form having only one dependent and they didn't say anything about it. In fact, they requested the medicals for my wife.
Case 2: the form is needed
In this case, if you don't send the form, they will ask you to submit this form causing a potential delay to your application.
Question 2:
Other than the forms, I attached a cover letter stating my full name, address, date of birth, UCI number, and application number. I mentioned that I had gotten married and wanted to include my wife in my application. I also listed the documented included in the package. No checklists or labels.
Questions 3:
You only need to send pictures if they flag your marriage. I am not sure under what grounds they flag applications as "possible MOC." As I've mentioned before, my friend from Bangladesh married his wife in Bangladesh and she is also from there. Yet, his marriage was flag as "possible MOC." I am from Mexico and my wife from Ukraine and they didn't flag my marriage... at least, not yet. I am not sure about the criteria they use for this. However, if your marriage does get flagged as "possible MOC" they will send you a questionnaire that you need to fill. In this questionnaire, they ask you for detailed information and pictures about your wedding, receptions, honeymoon, and other information. There are threads here where people share their experience about this questionnaire. They all send 100+ pictures and 100+ pages of skype/viber/whatsapp conversations.
FYI my friend sent ~350 pictures and phone card receipts totalling ~$400 (his wife doesn't have internet at home so he used phone cards to call her).
So answering your question, you don't have to send any proof unless they ask you to. If they do ask you to send proof, be prepare to send a large amount of proof.
I hope this helps!