New to Spousal sponsorship

[CanUkrz]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading up on Spousal sponsorship for some time now but I'm concerned about a few things... My current girlfriend (who lives in Kazakhstan) and I have been chatting on our phones (messages) almost every day since May of 2013. Due to time difference we chat on Skype with Video every weekend (Friday Night, Saturday Morning - Evening, and Sunday Morning) if possible. We also have some e-mails going back and forth, but thankfully she saves everything, I'm not one to horde messages as I was unaware of the "proving communication process".

I'm looking to book tickets in the spring to go see her for 2 to 3 weeks in the summer. We're planning to get married during this time, and I'll be meeting all of her extended and close family during this process. I would have gone sooner, but sadly my work does not allow much time away, and the costs are pretty high to travel. As a single income provider dropping $3000 to $4000 every few months is not an option and work would not permit this, as I only get 2 weeks of vacation a year anyhow. It's also near to impossible for her to get a Travel Visa here (based on the history of former Soviet States)

My questions are as follows:

1. When providing proof of "emails, messages, ect..., what are they looking for? Samples of times and dates showing frequent communication? Romantic messages? (Some things I would not show of course! :-[). I can provide lots of snap shots since May of 2013, some e-mails, skype screen shots showing call times, and I'll show pictures of both of us chatting on video skype.

2. Our marriage will happen within the last week of the visit, depending on processing times so I have the paper work to bring back with my file. Even though we can prove we chat every day, and see each other on video skype each weekend, will being married within a week of our in person visit cause drastic issues in the application approval? We will be seeing lots of her family and friends and taking a lot of pictures as she has a big family! (this is my biggest worry)

3. She has a cousin living in Vancouver right now, he got here by himself and came with his wife and kids. Will this help with the application? We will not be staying in Vancouver as I live in another province.

4. She will need to do a medical, how long is this document good for?

5. She also works full time, and has a university degree, will this help?


Is there anything else I need to worry about?

 

[scylla]

Will you be getting married during the first trip where you visit her in person?

 

[CanUkrz]

Yes, the plan is to get married in her home country, and be with all her family so I can meet everyone, and time alone.

 

[scylla]

Yes, the plan is to get married in her home country, and be with all her family so I can meet everyone, and time alone.

You should avoid doing this if at all possible. Yes - this can have a drastic impact on your application. Ideally you should visit her at least once before making the trip to get married. Marrying during your first meeting significantly increases the chances that CIC will have doubts your relationship is genuine.

 

[CanUkrz]

Thank you,

If I made a trip for a week in spring (we're looking at meeting in another country), then another for two weeks in summer (to her country for marriage), then got married, would this be more ideal?

Sadly there is very little I can do on extra time, and her coming here is very hard due to getting a Travel Visa from there and having it approved.

 

[keesio]

If I made a trip for a week in spring (we're looking at meeting in another country), then another for two weeks in summer (to her country for marriage), then got married, would this be more ideal?

It is certainly better.

 

[CanUkrz]

Thank you! This will be our game plan! I hope to submit our application in September at the latest!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

It's also near to impossible for her to get a Travel Visa here (based on the history of former Soviet States)

Sadly there is very little I can do on extra time, and her coming here is very hard due to getting a Travel Visa from there and having it approved.

Has she actually even applied for a TRV? With proof of strong ties to her home country, she has just as much chance as anyone else of being approved.

Even if it's refused, it shows for the PR app that she tried to come to Canada to visit you.

 

[Tamabol]

Also check into the requirements of a foreigner to get married there.

You may be required to bring with you alot of "notarize", "legalize" documents. As well as she may require them too. In some countries, 2 weeks is not possible to legally get married. You can't just go to city hall and say "I do", sign a paper and be off.

A bunch of documents requires weeks to obtain both for you and on her side. Varies by country. Just a heads up.

 

[CanUkrz]

Thank you!

I'm aware of all the documents I need to get and will have mine notarized before I fly over in July. She will also have all her documents ready prior to the registration of marriage which takes no longer than a week. My part is very limited other than paper work, so worst case scenario she scans a copy of our marriage certificate. I just need to be present during the process.

I asked her to apply for a Travel VISA after our February trip, and if she is approved she can stay with me for a few weeks, if not, we still have proof she at least tried to obtain it.

Thanks for all the help!