Sponsorship + Outland Application - Major steps?

[TRCamp]

Having asked a question here before and received a helpful, prompt answer, I'd like to step forward for some more advice.

I suspect the answer is already in the forum, so if I could be directed, please feel free to link me to the relevant thread(s).

What I'm concerned with, now, is in what order the necessary tasks for sending an application should occur.

As I understand, the major forms are:
- Application to Sponsor and Undertaking
- Sponsorship Agreement
- Sponsorship Evaluation
- Medical Condition Statement
- Fees Receipt

- Application for Permanent Residence
- Schedule 1 Background/Declaration
- Spouse/Partner Questionnaire
- Additional Family Information Form

Now.. As I understand, required with these forms are:
- specific photographs for the application
- proof of medical examination
- police certificates & clearance
- proof of relationship documents

What I am uncertain of, however, is when things like the medical examination and police certificates/clearance should be obtained.

I.e. if my spouse is applying from outside Canada, should she be obtaining the medical examination and police certificates as soon as she has her application forms filled/sponsorship agreement signed, and sending everything back to me so that I can submit it to the office in Mississauga?

I imagine I'm making this more obscure in my mind than it actually is, but some reassurance would be infinitely useful in general peace of mind. If I could get an outline of what order we should be completing these tasks in, I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[canadianwoman]

...I.e. if my spouse is applying from outside Canada, should she be obtaining the medical examination and police certificates as soon as she has her application forms filled/sponsorship agreement signed, and sending everything back to me so that I can submit it to the office in Mississauga?

If you hope to send in the application soon, apply for the police certificates she'll need right away, because for some countries it can take a few months to get them. She'll need one from her country of residence, and one from every other country she has stayed in for 6 months or more (at one time), except Canada.
You'll be able to get some indication from this forum how long the police certificates from various countries usually take. Have her get her medical done just before you expect the police certificates to arrive.

It may take a while to gather all the 'proof our relationship is genuine' evidence, so start that right away.

She should fill in her forms and send everything back to you; you then send it to Mississauga with the sponsor's forms and all the relationship proof.

 

[kourts]

Now don't forget Part 3: Information guides specific to geographic regions

I'm not sure what region applies to you, but for the united states one, on the check list it says to include the police certificate and medical with the application. It's probably the same for all regions, I could be wrong.

I'm just about done filling my application out and I've already got my medical done and received my police certificate.

Keep in mind the police certificate takes weeks to get, so you should be applying for it.
Not sending these in with the application can result in a long delay.

good luck.

 

[TRCamp]

Excellent replies. Thanks so much! I appreciate the tip concerning the police certificates, in particular.

My spouse lives in the United States, which I probably should have mentioned before for sake of clarity.

Also, concerning proof of relationship. I've read about letters from friends/family for both spouses as being one aspect. Are there any guidelines for these letters? I.e. should they be typed/handwritten, include contact information of the people writing them, be notarized, etc?

Also, is there any guidelines for the amount of documents regarding proof of relationship, or is that simply a matter of sending as much as you feasibly can?

 

[Stumpedmom]

If she can come to visit you and get the medical done here, you may find that it is a lot cheaper. We were quoted by the DMP in Phoenix (the only one in AZ) that it was 500 for the exam and 60 for blood work and xrays...

Here where I live in Ontario we had them done for 200 including everything....I would honestly check that option out if its viable for you guys!!!

 

[canadianwoman]

Also, concerning proof of relationship. I've read about letters from friends/family for both spouses as being one aspect. Are there any guidelines for these letters? I.e. should they be typed/handwritten, include contact information of the people writing them, be notarized, etc?

AllisonVSC had some very good advice for these support letters, which I'll quote here. The letters should ideally be different - you don't want it to look like you wrote them. So some affidavits, some handwritten letters, some typed letters, and some emails would be fine. The writers should include their contact details - it is unlikely they will be contacted, but simply having this info makes the VO think the letter is real.

Below you will find what I wrote to my friends and family. I sent the request via email. Most replied via email and I just printed them out. My brother and my sponsor's close friend printed, notarized, and sent their replies via postal mail.

I'd be happy to share examples of what we got in return, but the responses were so varied...it would be hard to chose just one to be "representative". One was like a court document; just the facts. Several were letters addressed to "Whom it may concern". One friend included photos he'd taken of us when we visited him the first time. One person wrote to me but described what she when about the evolution of your relationship...a sort of remember when reflective piece.

Dear Friends and Family,

As you know I am seeking Permanent Residence status in Ontario, Canada through the Family Class immigration category. I am technically called a "Conjugal Partner" (nice and descriptive, isn't it?) and XXXX is my Sponsor. As part of the immigration application we are required to provide evidence that we are indeed a genuine couple. This includes email correspondence, passport stamps from visits to see each other, plane ticket stubs, photos, etc. We are also required to document the history of our relationship (which was kind of a fun exercise).

An important part of this evidence of genuine coupledom/coupleship, whatever you want to call it, is documentation from family and friends. My brother and his wife have agreed to make sworn testimony on our behalf, but from reading Canadian immigration blogs it appears that the more documentary evidence we can provide from external sources the more likely our application will be approved swiftly, or at least not denied on this basis.

So I am writing today to ask if you would write an email on our behalf and send it to me (or XXXX, if you prefer) by Friday. I realize this request is somewhat vague as to the content of the email, so I've included a list of basic points to cover at the bottom of this message. You are certainly welcome to write more, or less...whatever you are comfortable with putting in writing to support our Family Class application.

For those of you who respond, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your timely assistance in this matter. For those who chose not to respond for any reason, please know that I accept your decision with much grace and goodwill.

Kindest regards,
Allison


General information to consider including in your message (this can be written in French or in English, by the way)...

1. A description of how you know either one of us (typically the person you knew first)...examples
I am a friend of XXX, I was a co-worker of XXX, I am the sister of XXX, etc

2. A description of how you became aware of our relationship, when you met the other partner, activities we participated in together, etc

3. A statement to the effect that, in your judgement, we are in a real, loving, ongoing, genuine (you choose the words) relationship based on your personal knowledge and experiences

Also, is there any guidelines for the amount of documents regarding proof of relationship, or is that simply a matter of sending as much as you feasibly can?

If your relationship does not have any red flags, such as a big difference in age, different religions/cultural backgrounds/ethnic backgrounds/races/marital history/education, etc., you don't need to send in as much evidence as a couple who do have big differences. As well, if you have a fairly long history together, you should show proof of all that history, but overall you don't need as much as a couple who met only a few months before applying. In addition, since the applicant is from the USA, the visa officer will be much less likely to suspect marriage fraud. So if you and your spouse have had a fairly normal relationship, and you two are fairly similar, you don't have to send in a huge amount of evidence. Document the whole course of the relationship, though, and use a wide variety of types of proof.

 

[TRCamp]

Hey, it's been a while since I've been in this topic, but since it's mine I figured I'd make use of it rather than start a new one.

So, my wife just received a letter from the Government of Canada stating that it appears her visa is ready for issuance. It requests her to mail her passport, two photos, etc, in order for the Detroit office to issue her permanent Residence Visa. It also gives a date concerning the validity of the visa.

So, am I safe to assume that means that we've essentially completed the application process? Of course there's the actual border crossing and associated move, but by receiving this letter it means our interview has been waived and that she has been accepted? I only ask because when I check the CIC website, the updates seem to have stalled at 'medical results received.'

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations for how to physically move from the US to Canada? We have general plans concerning what to bring and not to bring, and have been reading up on various moving services. I also have a station wagon with a fair amount of trunk space, so we're currently planning to make a drive of it. General or specific advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Quince777]

Hey, it's been a while since I've been in this topic, but since it's mine I figured I'd make use of it rather than start a new one.

So, my wife just received a letter from the Government of Canada stating that it appears her visa is ready for issuance. It requests her to mail her passport, two photos, etc, in order for the Detroit office to issue her permanent Residence Visa. It also gives a date concerning the validity of the visa.

So, am I safe to assume that means that we've essentially completed the application process? Of course there's the actual border crossing and associated move, but by receiving this letter it means our interview has been waived and that she has been accepted? I only ask because when I check the CIC website, the updates seem to have stalled at 'medical results received.'

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations for how to physically move from the US to Canada? We have general plans concerning what to bring and not to bring, and have been reading up on various moving services. I also have a station wagon with a fair amount of trunk space, so we're currently planning to make a drive of it. General or specific advice would be greatly appreciated.

Great news! That means that she's ready to be issued a PR and can land in Canada. What's your timeline?

 

[TRCamp]

Well, we submitted in August, I was approved in October, her end began processing in Buffalo Dec 22, and the official letter arrived today. We're looking to have her landed by March.

 

[alf+jlh]

Well, we submitted in August, I was approved in October, her end began processing in Buffalo Dec 22, and the official letter arrived today. We're looking to have her landed by March.

They began processing dec 22 2011? That's amazing to have an answer by now, no????
Congratulations!

(sorry that I don't have an answer to your question, was curious about the thread and just had to comment )

 

[TRCamp]

They began processing dec 22 2011? That's amazing to have an answer by now, no????
Congratulations!

(sorry that I don't have an answer to your question, was curious about the thread and just had to comment )

I, too, was surprised by the swiftness after my sponsorship validity was confirmed.

We sent literally every portion of it in one, massive package. Every form, state and FBI police clearance, medical, photos, all fees paid... We also provided:
- photographs going back to 2004 (when we first became a couple)
- a stack of chat logs dating back to 2004
- phone records
- e-mails
- receipts/itineraries/boarding passes for travel
- receipts for gifts
- diary pages
- letters we've written to one another
- our own personal accounts of our relationship
- letters from 12 different family members/friends (two notarized)
- marriage certificate and long-form
- photographs and copies of the guestbook from our wedding and reception (it was very small, so we were concerned it wouldn't be recognized as valid)
- copies of both our diplomas from our respective schools (to confirm both our educations and certain aspects of our personal accounts)

Needless to say, we put a lot of time and effort into the preparations. I think combined with our choosing to perform an outland application, and our generally similar backgrounds helped to move things along quickly.

We're very excited, and are hoping these last steps go as smoothly! Thanks so much, everyone, for the help along the way. Your timely and insightful responses helped ensure our success in what has been a most nerve-wracking endeavour.

 

[alf+jlh]

I, too, was surprised by the swiftness after my sponsorship validity was confirmed.

We sent literally every portion of it in one, massive package. Every form, state and FBI police clearance, medical, photos, all fees paid... We also provided:
- photographs going back to 2004 (when we first became a couple)
- a stack of chat logs dating back to 2004
- phone records
- e-mails
- receipts/itineraries/boarding passes for travel
- receipts for gifts
- diary pages
- letters we've written to one another
- our own personal accounts of our relationship
- letters from 12 different family members/friends (two notarized)
- marriage certificate and long-form
- photographs and copies of the guestbook from our wedding and reception (it was very small, so we were concerned it wouldn't be recognized as valid)
- copies of both our diplomas from our respective schools (to confirm both our educations and certain aspects of our personal accounts)

Needless to say, we put a lot of time and effort into the preparations. I think combined with our choosing to perform an outland application, and our generally similar backgrounds helped to move things along quickly.

We're very excited, and are hoping these last steps go as smoothly! Thanks so much, everyone, for the help along the way. Your timely and insightful responses helped ensure our success in what has been a most nerve-wracking endeavour.

Our package sounds really similar....it took us 4 months, working almost every night to get all the documents and "evidence" together. We had a small wedding too...just my parents present, but of course it's not about how many people were there.

Your case may be a rare one but for sure gives the rest of us hope....I don't know you but I'm very excited for you guys.

I cannot wait to have my husband here in Canada with me!

All the best.

 

[TRCamp]

A quick question, now that we're in the end stretch. One of the requirements for the requested photographs states:

AGE OF PHOTO - 1. Within 6 months; 2. Bear the date the photo was taken (not the date the photo was printed) directly on the back of one print
(stick-on labels are not acceptable)

Is this something that the photographer has to do, or can you simply jot down the date yourself once they're printed?