- Jul 18, 2010
- 10
- 124
- Category........
- Visa Office......
- Moscow
- Job Offer........
- Pre-Assessed..
- App. Filed.......
- 9-9-2010
- Doc's Request.
- 13-1-2011
- AOR Received.
- 22-11-2010
- File Transfer...
- 5-10-2010
- Med's Done....
- 18-8-2010
- Passport Req..
- 5-5-2011
- VISA ISSUED...
- 17-5-2011
- LANDED..........
- 23-5-2011
So I thought I would take the time to try and briefly summarize my story, how I met my wife all the way to now, collecting information for her PR application. I would love to hear peoples comments or suggestions.
OUR SPECS
My Specs: Born Canadian male, 32yo, never married, never common law, no children (at least that I know of - joke!), 5 years college (two diplomas), working since graduation and now entering project management field.
Her Specs: Born Russian female, 26yo, never married, never common law, no children. 5 year undergrad in Russian university (hotel and tourism mgmt) and working for respected hotel chain as Front Office Service Manager. In the past she has lived abroad in the Michigan on a work study program for 3 months. In New Zealand for 5.5months and Australia for 3 months, all for work study programs where she even obtain certificate for advanced English in Australia. She speaks English at 80-90% correct grammer and writes similarly well.
OUR TIMELINE
I was assigned to be site project manager in Sochi, Russia (location of 2014 Winter Olympic Games and most importantly my wife!) for approx. 1.5 years starting in June, 2009.
Here is a breakdown of events of how we began communicating and how our relationship developed;
June, 2009 - Joined facebook group "I love Sochi" upon researching information about the city before moving there. I wrote on the board that I would move there in June and asked if there was anyone who spoke English there and could be my tour guide (as a joke). She responded a few days later asking if I was going to work in her hometown for the Olympic projects. Various messages with long delay in responses were back and forth between her and I and just faded and stopped for duration of the remaining of the year from July onward. We became friends on facebook so could see each others profiles whenever we wished.
End of Jan. 2010 (approx. 6 months later), I wrote her a message on facebook asking if we could meet in person, because it would be a shame not to as not many people speak English in Sochi. She agreed and we both arranged to a date in the following week.
Feb., 2010 we met in person for the first time. From the date we first met we just hit it off so well, I knew I was interested and so did she. It just evolved so naturally from that point. Dinners, walks, meeting her friends, and yes photographs were taken during these times.
Feb - Apr., 2010 - Relationship developing during this time, seeing each other 3-4 times per week. Many SMS and phone calls between us both during this time.
April, 2010 I returned to Toronto for 3 weeks, knowing I was completely in love with this girl and knew that there was a possibility that my return to Sochi in end of April, could be my last as projects were coming to an end and one project was canceled shortening my estimated timeline of 1.5yrs. We Skyped with each other as a main way to communicate and we have kept these txt. logs. We also emailed each other back and forth even sending egreeting cards to each other and msgs via facebook.
End of April, 2010 - After counting down the days, I return back to Sochi to continue work. We continue dating as we left off only getting closer and closer. We even began speaking about a trip together to Barcelona for a vacation. I had some reservations towards that as we have never seriously talked about the relationship at that time.
Early May. 2010 - The vacation comes up again and I questioned that we should maybe talk about where the relationship was going before making this expensive decision because if we aren't on the same page, then what is the point. I won't remain in Russia for the rest of my life and this needed to be made clear. During this dinner of discussion, it all came out... We decided we wanted to be together and both cried right there in the restaurant. We immediately rushed home and started researching our options.
May, 2010 - A few days later I made the decision that marriage would be really the most full proof method of us being together forever with less complication. I proposed on this day and we quickly raced to get all paperwork so we could marry in Sochi before I departed and possibly not return for work. It was much easier to marry while I was still there.
End of May, 2010 - I met her parents who don't speak English for the first time, including her brother. We have photographs during the dinner. They welcomed me into the family with open arms. Amazing family really and reason that my wife is such a beautiful person inside and out
June, 2010 - We got everything done and married! Amazing wedding, all out, videographer, photographer. Photos during ceremony at ZAGS (civil registry, photo shoot around city at beautiful places, and photos of reception where we had 45 people attend. My family unfortunately was not there due to money and visa restrictions, but they witnessed it all via skype. And my laptop can be seen at both the wedding and the reception where we had someone hold it and follow us around for parents to see. We plan to have reception upon our return to Canada for all my friends and family to witness our day and watch the video like they were there (2.5hours worth). From this day forward she stayed with me full time in my apt. that my work pays for. There is no evidence of this really, except that the landlord lived next door and knew us.
June, 2010 - The previous vacation we were organizing to Barcelona turned into our honeymoon for one week, lots of photos taken during this time. Wonderful trip!
July, 2010 - We attended her best friends wedding and have photo of us with the bride and groom.
End of July, 2010 - I departed Sochi and returned to Toronto, it is still not known if I will return as my work is going through some restructuring at this time. I will no in the coming weeks. We continue to stay in contact by Skype, email and phone calls.
APPLICATION
So I am filling out the application and this is the evidence we have obtained so far.
1. Printout of group "I love Sochi" page showing our msgs to each other in Jun. 2009, including my msg. announcing that I would marry her in June, 2010 (one day after our one year anniversary of first contact).
2. Printout of her cell call logs with company stamp and signature on each page from Feb., 2009 (our first meeting) to July, 2010 when I left Sochi (30 pages including all other calls). We also printed account page showing cell phone number registered under her name and also individually for my number, with stamps and signatures of cell company (MTC) - this we plan to have translated and notarized as official document.
3. Printout of each facebook message between us and some between my mom and Tatiana (congrats, can't wait to meet you, etc).
4. Printout of each important email between us (90% of them) during entire relationship (including print screens of egreeting cards)
5. Photographs (over 100) of us with her friends, during wedding, photo of our professional wedding album and video in DVD case, honeymoon, with my co-workers in Sochi, various outings with her parents, her friends wedding, etc.
6. My flight ticket stubs of my return to Toronto and back to Sochi in April 2010, our flight ticket stubs to honeymoon in Barcelona and back to Sochi, flight ticket stubs of my return to Toronto this July.
7. Colour photocopies of all pages of my old passport showing two Russian visas and all stamps back and forth between Toronto, Sochi and Barcelona.
8. Signed work assignment agreement in Sochi between my employer and me. Outlining pay, duration and job description.
9. Printscreen of our Skype video screen during several occasions since I've been home and this continues until application submittal date.
10. Copy of certificate for completing advanced English course in Australia.
And finally, all documents as per application requirements (medical, original police cert, her diploma and transcript, marriage cert, birth cert all translated and notarized in Russia). All my required forms will also accompany application.
CONCLUSION
I believe our case is quite straight forward, we both have no complications (prev. marriage, kids, both educated, she speaks very good English, has decent job with no downtime between school and job, I have never sponsored anyone before). I love this girl more than life itself and we can't wait to begin our lives together as soon as possible. We expect to submit the application but the end of Aug. and from the estimated timing on the CIC site, it can range from 4 months to 9 months, with 50% of cases being solved after 5 months. I am honestly expecting 6-7 months and that is my hunch. I know one thing, I am making sure that EVERYTHING in the application is perfect and that I am not missing one detail or answering anything incorrect. I plan to put a cover letter briefly explaining our story in one page and explain how much I love her and request to have the application done as soon as possible. Which probably won't get me anywhere, but I have to do it.
Any comments! I want to know if I'm missing something or what peoples opinion is of our story and chances of not running into any issues.
OUR SPECS
My Specs: Born Canadian male, 32yo, never married, never common law, no children (at least that I know of - joke!), 5 years college (two diplomas), working since graduation and now entering project management field.
Her Specs: Born Russian female, 26yo, never married, never common law, no children. 5 year undergrad in Russian university (hotel and tourism mgmt) and working for respected hotel chain as Front Office Service Manager. In the past she has lived abroad in the Michigan on a work study program for 3 months. In New Zealand for 5.5months and Australia for 3 months, all for work study programs where she even obtain certificate for advanced English in Australia. She speaks English at 80-90% correct grammer and writes similarly well.
OUR TIMELINE
I was assigned to be site project manager in Sochi, Russia (location of 2014 Winter Olympic Games and most importantly my wife!) for approx. 1.5 years starting in June, 2009.
Here is a breakdown of events of how we began communicating and how our relationship developed;
June, 2009 - Joined facebook group "I love Sochi" upon researching information about the city before moving there. I wrote on the board that I would move there in June and asked if there was anyone who spoke English there and could be my tour guide (as a joke). She responded a few days later asking if I was going to work in her hometown for the Olympic projects. Various messages with long delay in responses were back and forth between her and I and just faded and stopped for duration of the remaining of the year from July onward. We became friends on facebook so could see each others profiles whenever we wished.
End of Jan. 2010 (approx. 6 months later), I wrote her a message on facebook asking if we could meet in person, because it would be a shame not to as not many people speak English in Sochi. She agreed and we both arranged to a date in the following week.
Feb., 2010 we met in person for the first time. From the date we first met we just hit it off so well, I knew I was interested and so did she. It just evolved so naturally from that point. Dinners, walks, meeting her friends, and yes photographs were taken during these times.
Feb - Apr., 2010 - Relationship developing during this time, seeing each other 3-4 times per week. Many SMS and phone calls between us both during this time.
April, 2010 I returned to Toronto for 3 weeks, knowing I was completely in love with this girl and knew that there was a possibility that my return to Sochi in end of April, could be my last as projects were coming to an end and one project was canceled shortening my estimated timeline of 1.5yrs. We Skyped with each other as a main way to communicate and we have kept these txt. logs. We also emailed each other back and forth even sending egreeting cards to each other and msgs via facebook.
End of April, 2010 - After counting down the days, I return back to Sochi to continue work. We continue dating as we left off only getting closer and closer. We even began speaking about a trip together to Barcelona for a vacation. I had some reservations towards that as we have never seriously talked about the relationship at that time.
Early May. 2010 - The vacation comes up again and I questioned that we should maybe talk about where the relationship was going before making this expensive decision because if we aren't on the same page, then what is the point. I won't remain in Russia for the rest of my life and this needed to be made clear. During this dinner of discussion, it all came out... We decided we wanted to be together and both cried right there in the restaurant. We immediately rushed home and started researching our options.
May, 2010 - A few days later I made the decision that marriage would be really the most full proof method of us being together forever with less complication. I proposed on this day and we quickly raced to get all paperwork so we could marry in Sochi before I departed and possibly not return for work. It was much easier to marry while I was still there.
End of May, 2010 - I met her parents who don't speak English for the first time, including her brother. We have photographs during the dinner. They welcomed me into the family with open arms. Amazing family really and reason that my wife is such a beautiful person inside and out
June, 2010 - We got everything done and married! Amazing wedding, all out, videographer, photographer. Photos during ceremony at ZAGS (civil registry, photo shoot around city at beautiful places, and photos of reception where we had 45 people attend. My family unfortunately was not there due to money and visa restrictions, but they witnessed it all via skype. And my laptop can be seen at both the wedding and the reception where we had someone hold it and follow us around for parents to see. We plan to have reception upon our return to Canada for all my friends and family to witness our day and watch the video like they were there (2.5hours worth). From this day forward she stayed with me full time in my apt. that my work pays for. There is no evidence of this really, except that the landlord lived next door and knew us.
June, 2010 - The previous vacation we were organizing to Barcelona turned into our honeymoon for one week, lots of photos taken during this time. Wonderful trip!
July, 2010 - We attended her best friends wedding and have photo of us with the bride and groom.
End of July, 2010 - I departed Sochi and returned to Toronto, it is still not known if I will return as my work is going through some restructuring at this time. I will no in the coming weeks. We continue to stay in contact by Skype, email and phone calls.
APPLICATION
So I am filling out the application and this is the evidence we have obtained so far.
1. Printout of group "I love Sochi" page showing our msgs to each other in Jun. 2009, including my msg. announcing that I would marry her in June, 2010 (one day after our one year anniversary of first contact).
2. Printout of her cell call logs with company stamp and signature on each page from Feb., 2009 (our first meeting) to July, 2010 when I left Sochi (30 pages including all other calls). We also printed account page showing cell phone number registered under her name and also individually for my number, with stamps and signatures of cell company (MTC) - this we plan to have translated and notarized as official document.
3. Printout of each facebook message between us and some between my mom and Tatiana (congrats, can't wait to meet you, etc).
4. Printout of each important email between us (90% of them) during entire relationship (including print screens of egreeting cards)
5. Photographs (over 100) of us with her friends, during wedding, photo of our professional wedding album and video in DVD case, honeymoon, with my co-workers in Sochi, various outings with her parents, her friends wedding, etc.
6. My flight ticket stubs of my return to Toronto and back to Sochi in April 2010, our flight ticket stubs to honeymoon in Barcelona and back to Sochi, flight ticket stubs of my return to Toronto this July.
7. Colour photocopies of all pages of my old passport showing two Russian visas and all stamps back and forth between Toronto, Sochi and Barcelona.
8. Signed work assignment agreement in Sochi between my employer and me. Outlining pay, duration and job description.
9. Printscreen of our Skype video screen during several occasions since I've been home and this continues until application submittal date.
10. Copy of certificate for completing advanced English course in Australia.
And finally, all documents as per application requirements (medical, original police cert, her diploma and transcript, marriage cert, birth cert all translated and notarized in Russia). All my required forms will also accompany application.
CONCLUSION
I believe our case is quite straight forward, we both have no complications (prev. marriage, kids, both educated, she speaks very good English, has decent job with no downtime between school and job, I have never sponsored anyone before). I love this girl more than life itself and we can't wait to begin our lives together as soon as possible. We expect to submit the application but the end of Aug. and from the estimated timing on the CIC site, it can range from 4 months to 9 months, with 50% of cases being solved after 5 months. I am honestly expecting 6-7 months and that is my hunch. I know one thing, I am making sure that EVERYTHING in the application is perfect and that I am not missing one detail or answering anything incorrect. I plan to put a cover letter briefly explaining our story in one page and explain how much I love her and request to have the application done as soon as possible. Which probably won't get me anywhere, but I have to do it.
Any comments! I want to know if I'm missing something or what peoples opinion is of our story and chances of not running into any issues.
