Spousal Sponsorship Proof of Relationship

[RLCelina]

I have a few questions for my common law sponsorship application:

1. "Documentary evidence of financial support between sponsor and principle application" ---> Can I show screenshots of e-transfers between me and my boyfriend? We've been e-transferring each other since the beginning of our common law relationship. We don't have a joint bank account because we've only been together for 2.5 years.
2. Instead of writing on the back of each picture, can I write a caption beside each picture since they'll be printed on regular printer paper?
3. I'm currently not working because of COVID, and I'm receiving EI benefits from the government too. Would it be okay if I show my Record of Employment as a form of evidence that I can support the principle applicant?
4. Do I have to outline the timeline of my relationship? I've read other forums of people doing it, but those forums were dated back in 2014 and I'm not sure if it's required anymore.

 

[Joeydocs]

I have a few questions for my common law sponsorship application:

1. "Documentary evidence of financial support between sponsor and principle application" ---> Can I show screenshots of e-transfers between me and my boyfriend? We've been e-transferring each other since the beginning of our common law relationship. We don't have a joint bank account because we've only been together for 2.5 years.
2. Instead of writing on the back of each picture, can I write a caption beside each picture since they'll be printed on regular printer paper?
3. I'm currently not working because of COVID, and I'm receiving EI benefits from the government too. Would it be okay if I show my Record of Employment as a form of evidence that I can support the principle applicant?
4. Do I have to outline the timeline of my relationship? I've read other forums of people doing it, but those forums were dated back in 2014 and I'm not sure if it's required anymore.

1 . I did the same with my application we send etransfers regularly as one person will buy something and we will split the cost by e transferring each other one anothers half of the bill. So I would say thats acceptable.
2. yes you can do that i have seen some people on here do that and it wasnt an issue
3. I would show your most recent NOA and your ROE explaining your situation further I think that would be acceptable.
4. Its not required but most people do include personal statements about their partner. It also might help the VO if they have any questions regarding your app. So I would definitely do this as we did for ours and many people do regularly.

 

[RLCelina]

1 . I did the same with my application we send etransfers regularly as one person will buy something and we will split the cost by e transferring each other one anothers half of the bill. So I would say thats acceptable.
2. yes you can do that i have seen some people on here do that and it wasnt an issue
3. I would show your most recent NOA and your ROE explaining your situation further I think that would be acceptable.
4. Its not required but most people do include personal statements about their partner. It also might help the VO if they have any questions regarding your app. So I would definitely do this as we did for ours and many people do regularly.

Thank you so much for replying! This helps a lot since I'm almost done my application

 

[armoured]

1. Do I have to outline the timeline of my relationship? I've read other forums of people doing it, but those forums were dated back in 2014 and I'm not sure if it's required anymore.

You do not have to provide the timeline of your relationship or some personal statement, but you can if you think it will be helpful. It may be helpful if there's something missing in the facts that needs to be pointed out. If your case is clear cut and simple, adding a letter may not add much at all.

Main thing, don't write a romantic novel - facts will be much more convincing. And keep it as brief as possible.

The reasons to want to add a statement could be many, but as an example, not having lived together after marriage (e.g. because of studies or family or whatever). Anything that addresses "shortcomings" in the documentation (e.g. we don't have a shared lease because of some legal issue). Note, often these explanations may be better placed as a short note in the relevant section rather than in some longer "this is our relationship" document.

Hopefully obviously, there may be more need for such a doc for those with typical red flags - large age differences, quick relationships / marriages, etc. A common reason might be lack of a traditional wedding in cultures where that's common (cross-cultural / religious relationships might be a reason why these were not held).

For those with longer relationships, children, documents attesting to residing together, etc., no additional explanation may be needed at all.