Proof of relationship questions

[Pollen]

I am wondering what sort of documentation I will need to prove our relationship is genuine. We are getting married in August have been romantically involved for a year this month, acquaintances for about a year prior. We are in love and we are getting married much earlier than we would like because it is the only way for us to be together. We would love the opportunity to live together but it isn't possible. My concern is that we haven't been together long and although I can say that he is the love of my life and I want to spend the rest of my life with him and I know he feels the same I am willing to bet the government wont just take our word for it. He is a US citizen and I am Canadian. We don't have many photos together because we just aren't photo people! We have a few from last July none over Christmas as he had to work New Years and I was sick on Christmas. There are pictures of me with his family New Years although I do not have copies I could probably get some. I have another of us on the couch I sent to my mother when I was sick as a dog and look horrible. I guess you get the picture, haha pun intended. We just aren't picture people and every time we visit we intend to get pictures and we never do. What we do have though is phone records and skype calls. Text messages and skype text messages. Itineraries for trips and family members who could provide statements. I guess I need to know if it is enough? We will have our marriage certificate before we apply as well and wedding/honey moon pictures will be taken although we don't plan on hiring a professional as it is a very low budget event. I mean I only spent 310$ on my dress I am not going to hire a photographer for 1000$! I need that 1000$ for the application processing! So is it enough? Should I print out my hundreds of pages of messages? Everything is on facebook too, changed relation ship statuses etc. do I include that? What would you recommend I make sure to have? How much is enough?

 

[Carlaganda23]

I am wondering what sort of documentation I will need to prove our relationship is genuine. We are getting married in August have been romantically involved for a year this month, acquaintances for about a year prior. We are in love and we are getting married much earlier than we would like because it is the only way for us to be together. We would love the opportunity to live together but it isn't possible. My concern is that we haven't been together long and although I can say that he is the love of my life and I want to spend the rest of my life with him and I know he feels the same I am willing to bet the government wont just take our word for it. He is a US citizen and I am Canadian. We don't have many photos together because we just aren't photo people! We have a few from last July none over Christmas as he had to work New Years and I was sick on Christmas. There are pictures of me with his family New Years although I do not have copies I could probably get some. I have another of us on the couch I sent to my mother when I was sick as a dog and look horrible. I guess you get the picture, haha pun intended. We just aren't picture people and every time we visit we intend to get pictures and we never do. What we do have though is phone records and skype calls. Text messages and skype text messages. Itineraries for trips and family members who could provide statements. I guess I need to know if it is enough? We will have our marriage certificate before we apply as well and wedding/honey moon pictures will be taken although we don't plan on hiring a professional as it is a very low budget event. I mean I only spent 310$ on my dress I am not going to hire a photographer for 1000$! I need that 1000$ for the application processing! So is it enough? Should I print out my hundreds of pages of messages? Everything is on facebook too, changed relation ship statuses etc. do I include that? What would you recommend I make sure to have? How much is enough?

Hi Pollen,

I think the photos that you currently have right now is sufficient. It should be quality over quantity.

You can print the Skype calls and random text messages as well as Facebook and Status Change. You can print all of those. Get some few pictures together with family during some special occasions.

Few photos during marriage ceremony, honeymoon are all good include it with your family members and put a captions who are in the photo.

Goodluck in your application.

 

[Rob_TO]

If you've been dating for at least 1 year before marriage, that is usually considered a normal relationship timeline. So I wouldn't worry there.

For chats/message etc logs, don't submit everything. Take samples from the beginning of relationship, middle, and most recent ones. Maybe get a couple per month that show development of the relationship.

You should also show financial dependence on each other. So should look at things like getting life insurance on each other, joint bank account, supplemental credit card in spouse's name, Canadian can change status with CRA to married for taxes, add spouse to employer benefits, etc etc.

 

[QuebecOkie]

It's not about quantity. Don't stress about not having 400 photos to send. I know I stressed some after submitting our app and then reading in this forum; some people sent SOOOOOO much evidence! Ours consisted of three travel itineraries, 8 photos, and a brief description of each photo and of our relationship (when we first met each other's families, etc.). Sharing a border, it's pretty easy for us 'Muricans to meet and fall for Canadians, and we probably get a bit more leeway than those from countries with a very different standard of living (instead of increasing our standard of living by marrying a Canadian, we're causing ourselves a giant pain in the rump as we have to jump through hoops to be with them).

You sound like you're in good shape with enough proof to show you're a "normal" couple. Send in your photos. Take some more during the wedding and honeymoon. NO worries on the lack of a pro photographer. We sent one photo from our wedding. We were married in a simple civil ceremony with just three friends present as witnesses. We explain in our relationship narrative that he, being military and Canadian, has friends all around the world, and that it would be impossible to have a wedding that could include all of the people that were important to us, so we didn't want to spend money for a ceremony that wouldn't be what we wanted, anyhow. We included just one photo, and he was in a dress shirt and jeans, and I was in a pretty but VERY informal multi-coloured dress. Take a selection of your proof of communication (texts and skype) to show some from the beginning, middle, and more recent parts of your relationship. Send your itineraries showing you traveling together, or back and forth to visit each other.

We didn't even think to send in any financial/official stuff like proof of our joint bank account, his payment of my student loans, my name being added to his insurance policies, etc. All of that is just more weight to support your genuine relationship.

Good luck!

 

[jomz]

It's not about quantity. Don't stress about not having 400 photos to send. I know I stressed some after submitting our app and then reading in this forum; some people sent SOOOOOO much evidence! Ours consisted of three travel itineraries, 8 photos, and a brief description of each photo and of our relationship (when we first met each other's families, etc.). Sharing a border, it's pretty easy for us 'Muricans to meet and fall for Canadians, and we probably get a bit more leeway than those from countries with a very different standard of living (instead of increasing our standard of living by marrying a Canadian, we're causing ourselves a giant pain in the rump as we have to jump through hoops to be with them).

You sound like you're in good shape with enough proof to show you're a "normal" couple. Send in your photos. Take some more during the wedding and honeymoon. NO worries on the lack of a pro photographer. We sent one photo from our wedding. We were married in a simple civil ceremony with just three friends present as witnesses. We explain in our relationship narrative that he, being military and Canadian, has friends all around the world, and that it would be impossible to have a wedding that could include all of the people that were important to us, so we didn't want to spend money for a ceremony that wouldn't be what we wanted, anyhow. We included just one photo, and he was in a dress shirt and jeans, and I was in a pretty but VERY informal multi-coloured dress. Take a selection of your proof of communication (texts and skype) to show some from the beginning, middle, and more recent parts of your relationship. Send your itineraries showing you traveling together, or back and forth to visit each other.

We didn't even think to send in any financial/official stuff like proof of our joint bank account, his payment of my student loans, my name being added to his insurance policies, etc. All of that is just more weight to support your genuine relationship.

Good luck!

QuebecOkie, one has to understand what not every visa office is equal. If I sent for my proof what you submitted we would have been denied flat out. My visa office is Rabat, Morocco, couples going through Singapore, New Dehli, Islamabad, Manila etc. definately have to submit more proof than someone applying inland or via CPP Ottawa (US/Canadian unions). Instead we submitted around 100 photos from 6 visits, formal engagement ceremonies, wedding reception, travels, vacations, home with family etc. 800 pages of phone records/skype/facebook/e-mails/ etc. And guess what, when my husband was called for interview (in Rabat 99.9% applicats are interviewed) he had to bring in additional proof of communication for the 3 months since we applied, so again he took approx 500 pages of new skype chats/whatsapp/teleophone records/20 more pictures from our last vacation after we applied.

Please becareful when you give advise on what proof to submit, or at least preclude it with a statement that you went through a visa office that doesn't require boxes of evidence.

 

[Zarilenth]

QuebecOkie, one has to understand what not every visa office is equal. If I sent for my proof what you submitted we would have been denied flat out. My visa office is Rabat, Morocco, couples going through Singapore, New Dehli, Islamabad, Manila etc. definately have to submit more proof than someone applying inland or via CPP Ottawa (US/Canadian unions). Instead we submitted around 100 photos from 6 visits, formal engagement ceremonies, wedding reception, travels, vacations, home with family etc. 800 pages of phone records/skype/facebook/e-mails/ etc. And guess what, when my husband was called for interview (in Rabat 99.9% applicats are interviewed) he had to bring in additional proof of communication for the 3 months since we applied, so again he took approx 500 pages of new skype chats/whatsapp/teleophone records/20 more pictures from our last vacation after we applied.

Please becareful when you give advise on what proof to submit, or at least preclude it with a statement that you went through a visa office that doesn't require boxes of evidence.

I am sure they understand that. She was replying the way she did because the poster is also from the US. So they have similar situations.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Exactly. I was responding to a post about another America/Canadian couple, and I specifically stated that "we probably get a bit more leeway" than those from many other countries.

 

[Gumper]

At our wedding/reception (in the Philippines) I had my computer on hand so that friends and family from Canada could Skype in to the festivities. They actually had a "Skype Party" and a lot of fun following along with us (we did an afternoon ceremony so that friends in various CDN time zones could check in as best they could). Made sure to take pics of my computer screen full of "attendees" as well....and got a great pic capture of the town mayor who presided at our wedding "talking" to the peeps back in Canada! Made sure to say that this was "Part 1" as well, that an equally big if not bigger reception would be held (my sister has it already planned!) once we are on CDN terra firma.

 

[jomz]

I am sure they understand that. She was replying the way she did because the poster is also from the US. So they have similar situations.

I know Zarilenth. Many people read this forum, and not all are fully versed in English. A general comment like this can hurt someone applying in a visa office other than CPP Ottawa, Inland CPP Mississauga.

 

[truesmile]

I certainly agree there are ahem "difficult" VOs out there to deal with. But I think you can remove Manila from your list. We submitted the bare minimum, 60 photos and a relationship story 3 sentences long. Now I know there's the occasional Manila applicant here or there that seems to take an unearthly amount of time to process, but that's not the norm.

Wise-guys: Don't ask ME what the "norm" is, go look it up.

 

[jomz]

Exactly. I was responding to a post about another America/Canadian couple, and I specifically stated that "we probably get a bit more leeway" than those from many other countries.

I have not been rude with my comment to you, therefore I cannot understand why you take offence. This is a public forum. And you have been here long enough to know that sometimes people just read the forum to get an answer, and may not realize that your answer would not apply to them as they may be going through a very difficult visa office.

 

[QuebecOkie]

I have not been rude with my comment to you, therefore I cannot understand why you take offence. This is a public forum. And you have been here long enough to know that sometimes people just read the forum to get an answer, and may not realize that your answer would not apply to them as they may be going through a very difficult visa office.

I didn't take offense. I just restated the bit that showed it was clearly directed at the OP, another American. No rudeness here. :-* We're all here to help. (Well, I've seen one or two who may be here to argue, haha, but *most* of us are here to ask for or give help.)

 

[Pollen]

Thank you for all for the helpful information you have provided! I am wondering how to get a joint bank account with him though because my bank said he cannot be put on my account because he doesn't live in Canada. Are there special accounts? As for our financial dependence on each other I bought him a lap top when his computer broke and I happened to have the means to buy him one and I can include that. We also help each other pay for living expenses when one of us is short but there isn't really a record of that because it would be just me buying groceries for him while visiting etc. We have had probably around 6 visits that I can send the itineraries in as proof so that should be good and we have so many skype messages, texts I am sure I can find snippits throughout our relationship to send in. How do I print text messages though I wonder. I think I have spent a total of 3 months or more total with him in the US which I hope will go a long way in proving legitimacy. He has bought my medication on occasion as well. All in all it looks like we should have enough by the time we apply so thank you all for your help!

 

[Alurra71]

No matter what VO you use, QUALITY is going to be of utmost importance. Whether it is 500 or 5 photographs, it will be the quality that will help make the determination. Sending evidence from different points in time during your relationship is also key no matter which VO you use. I think regardless of which VO you use or where you or your spouse is from so long as you have quality evidence to support your claim and help stitch together the truth of the nature of your relationship with your spouse/partner then you will get your PR issued.

Of course, I will include the disclaimer that there will ALWAYS be some that slip through the cracks or are rejected for unsubstantiated reasons but those are far and few in between.

 

[SenoritaBella]

For more evidence:
1. how about adding him as a beneficiary on your RRSP, TFSA, life insurance, living will or pension plan, etc. That shows some financial interdependence.

2. after marriage, change your marital status with Revenue Canada. Can be done online, print and attach to your application.

3. if you chat/message on facebook, download your facebook data through the "account" setting. Takes 5mins and is sent to your email.

4. Be sure to take some group photos(with all your guests) on your wedding day, the reception, and engagement.

5. copy of wedding guest book with thoughts/wishes from your guests.

We sent 24 photos which described our relationship timeline.