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Sponsoring US spouse - application form questions

AdeAhmed

Star Member
Sep 24, 2015
86
22
Hi all,

Working my way through our forms, and have the following questions (mostly nit picky, but i want to make sure everything is done right). I've summarized by form # (please bear with me, as most of these are common sense im sure).

I'll preface some questions by saying that I had an arranged marriage to my cousin and we were engaged for many years but did not talk or even really met in adulthood (we met as kids) until a few days before our wedding, which I can understand...complicates things. Feel free to ignore any questions that not familiar with.

Checklist
1. For forms that are not required/applicable, should i leave the box empty, or write N/A, or write out not applicable. I thought I have read that it is better to write N/A or something indicate that something is not required.

IMM5481 - Sponsorship evaluation

1. In terms of net personal income, would that include investments and such? As I have rental income, not sure if i include that.
2. In terms of the 12 month period, should i try and do it such that its 12 months from the day i mail the application, or just 12 months from filling it in, or what. In either case I suppose it would be the same, but i just want to date it properly.
3. For the previous undertakings I filed in as 0 instead of as N/A or leaving it blank. Does that make sense?
4. In terms of the 2nd page, where it asks for details of past undertakings, I have left it blank - or maybe I should cross out the page and write not applicable? which is better?

IMM5540 - Sponsorship questionnarie

1. For my current employer, shall I leave the end date blank? Or write in current or present?
2. Most of my information on previous positions does not fit, so I suppose making a new page would be ok?
3. Where monthly salary changed during employment, shall I just use the last salary that I was earning in terms of monthly salary/income/
4. As I was born in Canada, where it says are you currently living in Canada, since when? Shall I use my birth date?
5. I live with my parent but own my own property...does putting down that I live with my parents hinder my application at all?
6. In terms of giving the names and dates of when my spouse met my (immediate) family, since we are cousins and met when I was little, should I use that or something that makes a bit more sense (meeting in adulthood)
7. We do not have children but are expecting our first child. Shall I leave that one as no and then on a separate sheet provide additional details to prove that the relationship is genuine? Is there anything I can submit as proof...nothing comes to mind.

IMM0008 - Generic Application form

1. Q6 - is related to a Quebec certificate - a N/A to us shall I leave it blank
2. Q11 - Date and place of last entry to Canada - she is currently visiting me in Canada - does that hinder things
3. Does US have a national identify document to fill in?
4. Native language - 1B - leave it blank since its N/A for us?
5. With respect to the dependents section, it says must include spouse if applicable, and all dependent children and those of spouse, who are not already permanent residents or
citizens. So as the spouse who is a Canadian Citizen do I include myself on this or no? Its not clear whether the PR/citizen part applies to the spouse and dependent children or just children, which is NA for us.


IMM5669 - Background/declaration

1. Personal history - Wife is 25 yrs old - do I do the past 10 yrs or since 18
2. Membership of associations - outside of one possible professional org, not sure this is really applicable. How much effort should be spent looking into this?
3. For govt/paramilitary service - what box should i put Never been a member of an organization or association in?
4. Do i leave interpreter declaration blank i assume as its not applicable to us


IMM5406 - additional family info

1. Children - n/a - write it in? or leave blank?
2. I am the spouse but also the sponsor - do I also do my own copy?
3. married physically present per instruction does not fit - write in by hand?


IMM5490 - sponsored spouse/partner questinnaire

1. When first contact - as we met as kids use that? or as adults?
2. first meet - as kids or as adults?
3. Did anyone introduce - marriage arranged by our parents but introduced as kids due to being cousins.
4. additional details about circumstance of first meeting? like what? is this part necessary?
5. 26b - additional details? like what? if i dont have documentary evidence does that hurt things?
6. 27 - my spouse is visiting me in Toronto sinc October - do I put that as living with me? We currently are staying with my parents. She is still here but will be back home by the time i submit or thereabouts - shall i put Oct start and feb end?


Other

Identity and civil status documents - is this only for my wife who is on the application? or her extended family filled in under IMM5406? My wife is the only person on the application itself.

Travel docs - is this for both the applicant and me as sponsor? Or just the applicant?

Marriage certificate - is on the sponsor checklist but only if it is being cosigned as well as under the sponsored persons checklist. as our application is not being cosigned shall i under under the sponsored person section of the application?

On the checklist where things arent being provided, write in NA or or leave blank? or write not applicable somewhere else/

Does the 3910 document checklist for immigrant get sent?

----

Phew lots of questions...any help is greaaaatly appreciated.
 

crzy_canadian

Hero Member
Oct 28, 2015
372
11
Visayas - Philippines
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-Nov-2015
AOR Received.
12-Jan-2016
File Transfer...
19-Jan-2016
Passport Req..
08-July-2016
VISA ISSUED...
VOH: 05-Aug-2016
Checklist
1. For forms that are not required/applicable, should i leave the box empty, or write N/A, or write out not applicable. I thought I have read that it is better to write N/A or something indicate that something is not required.
I left them blank and it wasn't a problem. If you're super paranoid you could write N/A.

IMM5540 - Sponsorship questionnarie

1. For my current employer, shall I leave the end date blank? Or write in current or present?
2. Most of my information on previous positions does not fit, so I suppose making a new page would be ok?
3. Where monthly salary changed during employment, shall I just use the last salary that I was earning in terms of monthly salary/income/
4. As I was born in Canada, where it says are you currently living in Canada, since when? Shall I use my birth date?
5. I live with my parent but own my own property...does putting down that I live with my parents hinder my application at all?
6. In terms of giving the names and dates of when my spouse met my (immediate) family, since we are cousins and met when I was little, should I use that or something that makes a bit more sense (meeting in adulthood)
7. We do not have children but are expecting our first child. Shall I leave that one as no and then on a separate sheet provide additional details to prove that the relationship is genuine? Is there anything I can submit as proof...nothing comes to mind.
1. Yes, write in 'Present'
2. Yes, as per the guides info make sure to label each additional page for which form they apply to and then number each response accordingly.
3. (I assume you should just use your current, or most recent information)
4. Birth-date should be fine.
5. (It should not. As far as I'm aware there is no financial requirements for spousal sponsorship other then you can't be a recipient of social assistance.)
6. (Sorry not sure).
7. You currently don't have kids, so 'No' is fine. Including it in additional details couldn't hurt.
Proofs include pictures (wedding & otherwise), emails/chat logs/call logs etc., plane tickets to visit eachother, gift purchases and so on... I'm not familiar with arranged marriage applications, and I assume you don't have most of these.

IMM0008 - Generic Application form

1. Q6 - is related to a Quebec certificate - a N/A to us shall I leave it blank
2. Q11 - Date and place of last entry to Canada - she is currently visiting me in Canada - does that hinder things
3. Does US have a national identify document to fill in?
4. Native language - 1B - leave it blank since its N/A for us?
5. With respect to the dependents section, it says must include spouse if applicable, and all dependent children and those of spouse, who are not already permanent residents or
citizens. So as the spouse who is a Canadian Citizen do I include myself on this or no? Its not clear whether the PR/citizen part applies to the spouse and dependent children or just children, which is NA for us.
1. Blank or N/A is fine.
2. (It shouldn't as long as she has legal status)
3. (Don't know)
4. Blank or N/A is fine.
5. The confusion here is since this is a generic form applying to many different situations. In your case, there are no additional dependents, do not include the Canadian spouse nor the primary applicant.

IMM5669 - Background/declaration

1. Personal history - Wife is 25 yrs old - do I do the past 10 yrs or since 18
2. Membership of associations - outside of one possible professional org, not sure this is really applicable. How much effort should be spent looking into this?
3. For govt/paramilitary service - what box should i put Never been a member of an organization or association in?
4. Do i leave interpreter declaration blank i assume as its not applicable to us
1. Since 18
2. (Not sure.)
3. (Personally: We put 'None' in the 'Name of country' box and all is well.
4. Blank is fine.

IMM5406 - additional family info

1. Children - n/a - write it in? or leave blank?
2. I am the spouse but also the sponsor - do I also do my own copy?
3. married physically present per instruction does not fit - write in by hand?
1. Either is fine I'm sure.
2. No the Canadian does not need to fill this form out.
3. (Personally: We just left it as "Married" and all is well.)

IMM5490 - sponsored spouse/partner questinnaire

1. When first contact - as we met as kids use that? or as adults?
2. first meet - as kids or as adults?
3. Did anyone introduce - marriage arranged by our parents but introduced as kids due to being cousins.
4. additional details about circumstance of first meeting? like what? is this part necessary?
5. 26b - additional details? like what? if i dont have documentary evidence does that hurt things?
6. 27 - my spouse is visiting me in Toronto sinc October - do I put that as living with me? We currently are staying with my parents. She is still here but will be back home by the time i submit or thereabouts - shall i put Oct start and feb end?
I am unfamiliar with arranged marriage applications, I don't know about any of this.

Other

1. Identity and civil status documents - is this only for my wife who is on the application? or her extended family filled in under IMM5406? My wife is the only person on the application itself.

2. Travel docs - is this for both the applicant and me as sponsor? Or just the applicant?

3. Marriage certificate - is on the sponsor checklist but only if it is being cosigned as well as under the sponsored persons checklist. as our application is not being cosigned shall i under under the sponsored person section of the application?

4. On the checklist where things arent being provided, write in NA or or leave blank? or write not applicable somewhere else/

5. Does the 3910 document checklist for immigrant get sent?
1. Just your wife.
2. Just your wife.
3. Include 1 marriage certificate.
4. Personally I left them blank and it wasn't a problem. If you're super paranoid you could write N/A.
5. Yes, include the region specific form.



Hope this helps.
 

AdeAhmed

Star Member
Sep 24, 2015
86
22
Thank you so much! Any thoughts on the IMM5481 questions that i had re the evaluation?

Now to find help for the rest of my q's.
 

crzy_canadian

Hero Member
Oct 28, 2015
372
11
Visayas - Philippines
Category........
Visa Office......
Manila
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-Nov-2015
AOR Received.
12-Jan-2016
File Transfer...
19-Jan-2016
Passport Req..
08-July-2016
VISA ISSUED...
VOH: 05-Aug-2016
AdeAhmed said:
IMM5481 - Sponsorship evaluation

1. In terms of net personal income, would that include investments and such? As I have rental income, not sure if i include that.
2. In terms of the 12 month period, should i try and do it such that its 12 months from the day i mail the application, or just 12 months from filling it in, or what. In either case I suppose it would be the same, but i just want to date it properly.
3. For the previous undertakings I filed in as 0 instead of as N/A or leaving it blank. Does that make sense?
4. In terms of the 2nd page, where it asks for details of past undertakings, I have left it blank - or maybe I should cross out the page and write not applicable? which is better?
I'll answer these to the best of my knowledge, know that I am not an authoritative source and best to check with other forum members or an immigration lawyer if unsure. Like I mentioned above, there is no financial requirements for a spousal sponsorship, other then not being on social assistance. That said;

1. Investments and rental income do count.
2. Personally: I dated in Nov.1/2014 to Nov. 1/2015, my app didn't arrive until Nov. 16/2015 and it wasn't a problem. So I doubt they're sticky to the day.
3. Personally: I filled in as 0 as well.
4. Personally: I wrote N/A in the top box of every question.