sponsoring my husband

[anapbc]

hi.
my husband and i just got married last december in Philippines and I am back now in Canada to process his papers. i have questions and PLEASE help me:
1. Is it okay if I will not use my husband's last name in my application? So that I would not have to change all my documents here like my PR Card, Passport, SIN, etc. And then when he's is that's the time I will use his last name.
2. Regarding the Net Income, I just came here last February 2012 and started working March 2012, in the application there is a 12 months preceding the date of sponsorship. Is it Okay to give the Option C Printout? Would that affect my eligibility to sponsor If I am just new in my job? Or do I have to wait for 1 year to be employed?

Thanks a lot and I hope to hear from anybody who have the same questions as mine.

 

[RajaJi]

I suggest that you read the topic 'Spousal Sponsorship'. It is the first topic on top of this forum. You do not need to read all of it, just read the first post It will give you lot of information and answer other questions as well you might have.

If you have not changed your last name as yet then you can continue to use the name you have on your Passport, PR Card etc. There is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship, so you do not need to wait. You will need to provide all the supporting documents along with your application as required.

I also suggest that you join the discussion for Manila applicants here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spouse-family-class-timeline-manila-visa-office-philippines-t40680.0.html

 

[anapbc]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply. It helps me a lot. I have another question, What is we don't have email conversations? because we always do Skype. Would that be okay? But we do have pictures over the 5years BF/GF relationship and we also have couple of love letters. And if the conversation in email is not in English would we translate it and have it notarized? Thanks

 

[RajaJi]

If you do not have email conversations that is okay. You can use Skype chat logs, if you have. Pictures showing you with each other together are definitely a strong plus. Love letters, if you can share, will be okay as well. You can get the non English email conversations to English. I don't think you need to get it notarized. Take Care.

 

[anapbc]

Thank you again. This i a big help in filing our application. I am just waiting for our marriage contract to be release and then I am going to submit our applications.. Good luck to all of those sponsoring their spouse.

 

[CanadaNow]

1. my wife continued to use her maiden name for the purpose of the application. it would have been more confusing to use my last name if she had not changed it legally.

2. I spoke to CIC call centre and one of my questions was regarding the "net income" portion. I asked if they were interested in the income from my last tax return (ie: calendar year Jan 1 to Dec 31) or if they were interested in the year previous to our application (ie: Oct 1 2011 to Sep 30 2012). for that specific question about net income, they replied that I should answer Oct 2011 to Sep 2012 and NOT the calendar year. having said that, you are still required to provide the Option C printout but that is for a different part of the application.

Regarding your income level and how long you have been employed. A CIC Call Centre Agent once told me that their is no minimum income level to be a sponsor. I have also read this multiple times on the forum. I have also read on the forum someone once said that although income did not matter you could not be on any kind of government assistance.

in addition the the other poster's great suggestion of including your Skype logs, you could purchase software called SnagIt (by Techsmith) and use this software to record the video/audio of your Skype chats. CIC will not accept these recordings as part of your application but you could make note that you have the recordings available if they wish. you could also include any receipts from flights, dinners together, hotel while you stay together, movies together etc.

Good luck to you and all.

 

[anapbc]

Thank you so much for the info. I am confused of the net income because i just started working last March 2012 as part time because I am currently studying. Do i still need to submit my bank statements? or the Print Out C from CRA will do and my employer's reference and payslips?

Regarding the chat logs from skype and Facebook what my husband did is he screenshots our conversations, will that be okay?

Thank you

 

[Sweden]

For the income: there is no "minimum income" for spousal sponsorship, so there is no set number that you have to get to before you cna sponsor your husband. BUT - you need to show that you have the means to support your husband when he comes. So include proofs of your income, how much you make a month etc. If you are hosted by family for example, get a letter from them saying that they are willing to host you and your husband until you get on your feet... etc...you probably have a plan ( money wise) when your husband comes, so explain it to CIC, and put proofs. to give you an example: my partner was approved even if he has been a student for the last 3 years and only worked 5 months (during summers) - so he included what type of budget he had and how he planned to support me when we moved to Canada, and he got approved... so work out a plan, include what type of money you're making now, if you have savings available etc, and any information that can help CIC understand your situation and how you plan on supporting your husband, and it'll be good!

Include as well an option C - even if it's not a complete year. CIC needs to see a proof that you are not on welfare currently, and that's the way to do it.

For the proofs - screenshots are OK as long as it shows how often you communicate, and if you have been in a relationship for a while I'm sure you have other proofs as well.

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[anapbc]

Thanks alot Sweden for the information and for helping me. I think I have to ask mu Aunt if she can write a letter to host us first. Because that is our plan, we will stay here in my Aunt's place first until he gets a job. I am working as part-time Monday-Friday and at nights I am studying. I really need a plan so that CIC will understand my situation and so that they would know we will not ask for help frim the government.

Yes we will show them the screen shots and letters through our 5years relationship and of course pictures.

Thank you and I hope you can still help me if I so have other questions in the future.