Proof of relationship

[murrayw]

I met my wife in 2008 and married this year 2012. Do I need to get her to mail me all of the envelopes, and birthday cards etc. that I have sent her over the last 4 years and submit that as proof of our relationship?

Also, we've been chatting online since then and have saved many of our chats. How many of those should be submitted?

thanks.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I met my wife in 2008 and married this year 2012. Do I need to get her to mail me all of the envelopes, and birthday cards etc. that I have sent her over the last 4 years and submit that as proof of our relationship?

Also, we've been chatting online since then and have saved many of our chats. How many of those should be submitted?

thanks.

Get her to send you scanned copies of a selection of them (enough to convince a stranger that you guys were in a relationship). Same thing for the chats. If you send the originals, don't expect to get them back.

 

[murrayw]

should I submit copies of the envelopes AND cards?

 

[Steph C]

I scanned mine both cards and envelopes, combined on a few pages to print out. I think the most important is an envelope showing a postal stamp and date - anyone can fake a card.

 

[gingles]

I do not think they accept copies of internet chat. I think my husband and I sent each other a card 2 times. I did send pictures of us together from my first visit there. I also submited copies of phone bills and letters from friends and family stating that they see us chatting all the time on skype. We didnt get asked for an interview. I was pretty impresses with how fast application was processed. Just waiting now for visa insert.

 

[canadianwoman]

should I submit copies of the envelopes AND cards?

Yes. The envelopes to show you actually sent them when you said you did, and the cards to prove you weren't just sending her something completely unrelated. Cards without the envelopes are not very good evidence; envelopes without the letters or cards prove you knew each other, but don't show anything about the nature of the relationship.

 

[Fencesitter]

I feel a tad bit foolish now, because we sent samples of original cards (7 from me to my wife, 7 from my wife to me, and 7 from family in Canada to both of us)...7-7-7...jackpot! I included a note saying that I want the cards returned, but now I worry they will throw them away...I should have scanned them!!

Oh well, they should help to convince the VO that our relationship is real!!

FS

 

[canadianwoman]

If they don't just return the original evidence, which some visa offices will do, then once your wife has the visa write them a letter specifically asking for them back. They do keep the originals at least until they know there won't be an appeal or the appeal is over, whichever applies.
Some people get there originals back without even asking. It seems to depend on the visa officer and the visa office.