Representative

[astroduck]

Hi all,

Can I(the sponsor), fill out the immigration forms on behalf of my wife (with her consultation of course) and be her representative? The reason I asked is because she doesn't know much English and it is impossible for her to fill it out herself.
She is currently living in Canada with me as a visitor.

Thanks.

astro

 

[sakamath]

Sure you can. A representative can be relative, in this case, you. In that case all correspondence regarding the application would come to you directly.

 

[ocanadaguy]

if you have to fill out a form where you need a translator to sign.. then it can't be family.. it can be a friend of the family.. but not you or anyone else.. not sure why it's like that.. but everything else is fine Good luck!

 

[astroduck]

if you have to fill out a form where you need a translator to sign.. then it can't be family.. it can be a friend of the family.. but not you or anyone else.. not sure why it's like that.. but everything else is fine Good luck!

Hi Ocanadaguy, I haven't never heard of that policy, can you tell me which form you are talking about?

Thanks again.

 

[canadianwoman]

If you just help your wife fill out the forms, there is no problem, and no need to worry about the translator's rules. The question is how good is your wife's English? If she can understand what you wrote, then she's OK to sign the forms. The visa officers don't like it when it seems the applicant has signed something he or she did not understand.
So if you are basically just filling out the forms together, discussing what to write, and helping her with the written English, that's fine. If she doesn't speak or understand English at all and you are translating for her, that is a different matter.

In any case, the sponsor can be the applicant's representative - it doesn't matter why; even someone with perfect English can decide they'd like to make the Canadian spouse the representative. Especially if the mail is not reliable in the applicant's country, having everything sent to a Canadian address is a good idea.

 

[astroduck]

My wife's English is very minimal, she can listen and speak some English (only in single vocabulary). But when it comes to read and write, she almost has none. So I am her translator and representative.
She is totally new to Canada and doesn't know any friends.
Basically, I filled out the forms for her (we did work together but I am just writing it down).

Hope this is fine.

 

[ocanadaguy]

Hi Astroduck...

The form that I am talking about (I forget the number).. but for my application.. I had a form where my wife has to talk about how we met, how our relationship progressed etc etc. Do I support her (if so, show proof).. have I visited her, has she visited me.. and in the final section there is a place where the Translator is supposed to sign... I called the CIC Call center and asked if I can do this form... she told me that I can't... however a friend of the family can be the translator... So that's what I had to do. My form clearly stated translators signature... so if you see something like that, and are unsure.. just call the call center. Hope that helps.

 

[astroduck]

Hi Astroduck...

The form that I am talking about (I forget the number).. but for my application.. I had a form where my wife has to talk about how we met, how our relationship progressed etc etc. Do I support her (if so, show proof).. have I visited her, has she visited me.. and in the final section there is a place where the Translator is supposed to sign... I called the CIC Call center and asked if I can do this form... she told me that I can't... however a friend of the family can be the translator... So that's what I had to do. My form clearly stated translators signature... so if you see something like that, and are unsure.. just call the call center. Hope that helps.

You are probably talking about the very bottom part of IMM5490 form. Would the Visa Office refuse our application if I put myself as the translator? I mean I am just helping my wife out. We are currently living together and it makes sense if I help her out...

astro

 

[ocanadaguy]

I don't know... call and ask.. I was lucky that we had a friend of the family that lived super close who knows my wifes language... otherwise I don't know what I would do... if you call the call center.. just hit 1-1-1-1-0... that's how you get through the menu quickly to talk to someone.. better know for sure than stress about it even more. I just told you what I've been told.. I didn't keep asking because I knew I had someone who could help me out.. if I didn't, i would have asked more questions. Good luck!