Nervous About My Application!

[dawndarkharp]

Hello!


I am new to the forum but have read a few posts here and there regarding immigration information. Everyone seems so helpful! I apologise if anything I say below has already been answered and such, but I did not find the search function to be too helpful haha.

I am 25 and a Canadian Citizen. My boyfriend is a Kiwi! He and I are currently living in New Zealand and have been common-law since Nov 11, 2011.

I am so nervous to submit our application! I'm afraid I might not have enough evidence that shows we have combined our households. Has anyone been accepted on minimal paperwork? I'm so frightened it will be rejected! What would you say is some of the most crucial supporting documents? I'm sure I will have more questions when I come to put the application together, but I just wanted to post an introduction and to say hello and get support from other sponsors/spouses

 

[Shiny88]

Hello!


I am new to the forum but have read a few posts here and there regarding immigration information. Everyone seems so helpful! I apologise if anything I say below has already been answered and such, but I did not find the search function to be too helpful haha.

I am 25 and a Canadian Citizen. My boyfriend is a Kiwi! He and I are currently living in New Zealand and have been common-law since Nov 11, 2011.

I am so nervous to submit our application! I'm afraid I might not have enough evidence that shows we have combined our households. Has anyone been accepted on minimal paperwork? I'm so frightened it will be rejected! What would you say is some of the most crucial supporting documents? I'm sure I will have more questions when I come to put the application together, but I just wanted to post an introduction and to say hello and get support from other sponsors/spouses

hi there, i dont know much about common law sponsorship, but i would say that you havent been with him long enough to submit the application you have to be togheter a year or two togheter before applying.Also by that time gather as much proofs as possble. goodluck, hopefully someone here will help you with more info.

 

[dawndarkharp]

hi there, i dont know much about common law sponsorship, but i would say that you havent been with him long enough to submit the application you have to be togheter a year or two togheter before applying.Also by that time gather as much proofs as possble. goodluck, hopefully someone here will help you with more info.

Yes, we've been together since November 11, 2010 - but we entered common-law on November 11, 2011 - meaning that is the date we became officially common-law status. So we have been together from November 11, 2010-May 28th, 2012

 

[Sweden]

Hey there!

First of all - welcome to the forum! and good luck with your application. It's a long process and will take up lot of time and energy, but all worth it at the end!

It's difficult to know what are the crucial documents, and "how long" should your application be, and how many pictures you should include etc, as it really depends on your situation, and your relationship...

there are some very senior members in the forum that can help with specific questions as you come across them so don't hesitate to come back and ask. Sydney seems to be quite a fast and "helpful" office, so it should be all good! there is also a special thread for Sydney office, so look for it, they might be able to answer some more practical questions about paperwork in your area.

I would advise to start by the guidelines, and include everything that is there. Then give it a day or two without looking at it, and go through it putting yourself in the CIC's shoes, to see if from an "external point of view", your relationship looks genuine or not - if you have the possibility, maybe ask somebody else to go through? do you look like a real couple? Check many times for signatures needed (some documents are a bit tricky), and have the guideline next to you every time you fill out something.

Sometimes writing a "timeline" for your application helps. You have to put the story together on the form, but for me I found it useful as well to write a small document, with important dates, what happened (met, moved in together, moved to another country to be with my partner, travel to see each others' family etc, it's not an exhaustive list, but more so some ideas, just include whatever corresponds to you and your partner of course), and also the reference of the supporting documents that you are sending directly included there... so that the VO can have an easy time understanding your relationship. it is also a good place to address any red flags if there are in your relationship (huge age difference, previous sponsorships, previous marriage related to sponsorship etc - try and look for "red flags" in the search button, you'll see a more complete list) if needed - you might not have any if you have a pretty "straightforward" application.

Don't get panicked by the length of some applications - some people choose to send 100 pages of emails, same for pictures, others go with the minimum to prove, but then again - it depends on your relationship. The fact that you are living together ( if you have a lease to prove it, or you can also try to get an extract of the registry where both names are listed, not sure if they have that in NZ) makes it also a bit easier...

On the plus side - all official documents for you will probably be in english, so no costly translations etc, which saves time, money and energy...

Stay positive - you will probably get overwhelmed from time to time, as it is a lengthy process, but take the time to put a proper application together, if no documents are missing it will save you time when they open the package.

Good luck - and don't hesitate to ask for support if needed!
Sweden

 

[Fencesitter]

Well said, Sweden.

As far as I am aware, you'll need to be in a common-law relationship (in terms of CIC expectations) for at least 12 continuous months. So, if that is correct, you won't be able to file under common-law until November of this year. But that's not a bad thing, as it gives you more time to prepare your application.

I agree that you should put yourself in CICs position when trying to figure out what evidence to include. Official documents such as health insurance, life insurance, rental agreements, etc are really good to include.

Good luck and don't be overwhelmed. Go through things in a systematic sort of way and you'll be fine.

FS

 

[canadianwoman]

You can apply now. You have to have lived together for at least one year, which you have. You do not have to have lived together for another year after becoming 'officially' common-law according to the CIC rules.

You have to prove 1. that you have lived together for one year. CIC wants as much official proof as possible, such as a lease with both names, utility bills in both names, joint bank accounts and credit cards, proof of shared household expenses, each other named as beneficiaries on wills and insurance, etc. Some things you won't have probably if you are both young, but get as much as you can. 2. that your relationship is genuine; and 3. that the Canadian sponsor is planning to move back to Canada when the applicant gets the PR visa.

 

[dawndarkharp]

Thank you for all your advice everyone! It's just such a scary process, I don't want to screw anything up

You can apply now. You have to have lived together for at least one year, which you have. You do not have to have lived together for another year after becoming 'officially' common-law according to the CIC rules.

You have to prove 1. that you have lived together for one year. CIC wants as much official proof as possible, such as a lease with both names, utility bills in both names, joint bank accounts and credit cards, proof of shared household expenses, each other named as beneficiaries on wills and insurance, etc. Some things you won't have probably if you are both young, but get as much as you can. 2. that your relationship is genuine; and 3. that the Canadian sponsor is planning to move back to Canada when the applicant gets the PR visa.

That was something I was concerned about. Since we're both young, and my partner was only really in Canada as a temporary worker, we were not given a lot of options to combine our households. The bank was even quite hesitant to give him his own account, let alone combine ours together. We do have a rental agreement/lease with both our names signed, a storage unit in Canada with both of our signatures and names on it, and we have some evidence that he had helped me pay for rent (transfering money to my account etc) but I'm still quite nervous about it. I'm just scared I wont have enough! My aunt went through the same thing and said she didn't really have a problem with the household evidence as her husband practically lived in the USA but they still passed with flying colours. It gives me hope
Thank you again everyone! It's so nice to have the support and knowing there are some very knowledgeable people here to answer questions I may have. I'm looking forward to putting the application together.

 

[canadianwoman]

We do have a rental agreement/lease with both our names signed, a storage unit in Canada with both of our signatures and names on it, and we have some evidence that he had helped me pay for rent (transfering money to my account etc) ...

These are good. You can also get affidavits from friends, family members, the landlord, etc., stating that they know you two have lived together for more than one year. You need two such affidavits anyway, stating they believe your relationship is genuine because ....

 

[dawndarkharp]

These are good. You can also get affidavits from friends, family members, the landlord, etc., stating that they know you two have lived together for more than one year. You need two such affidavits anyway, stating they believe your relationship is genuine because ....

That's great to hear! Thank you I'm getting both my old landlords to write me a letter as well to state that we had been living together. We've also got a flood of emails and letters from our friends and family that have lots of information as well. I'm feeling more confident by the minute! Thank you

 

[fhj1203]

include all the names and phone numbers of your friends and family who knew you're living together..pictures together with friends and family in different occasions are better too..that's what I did before..even envelope with stamp on it,the older the better even for only you or for him in the same address that will be good to include too...

 

[dawndarkharp]

include all the names and phone numbers of your friends and family who knew you're living together..pictures together with friends and family in different occasions are better too..that's what I did before..even envelope with stamp on it,the older the better even for only you or for him in the same address that will be good to include too...

Very good to know! Thank you! I've got a lot of older mail that is addressed to one or the other of us at the same addresses. I will be sure to include it

 

[Syed Arsalan]

Hello Sir

I want to discuss some thing about you people during our process in our immigration.
We faced one problem they asked 6 month bank statement. we dont have but in alternate we have

1)For one year Fixed deposit amount already we have according to Canadian requirement funds.
2)In our provincial dealing we had account an old account and we gave 6 month statement when Provincial Govt ask . But after some time that bank convert to another bank and they were not giving good profit i mean less percent profit they were giving so we change our account to another bank and transfer required fund for immigration to another bank on fed 2012. and we fixed for one year. now London officer is asking 6 month statement. But in statement the required amount cannot be shown because it is fixed and in under use of the bank but when we want that money bank will give us easily. So we are sending a Mentained Fund letter on the name of immigration officer by bank manager. He is ready to give prove that we are not fake we have amount that is enough to the requirement of immigration.
So tell me it is the alternate solution of 6 month statement ??



Reply (Professional/Senior People)




Regards
Syed Arsalan Ahmed