Staples

[KevinHoping]

Hi,

I've recently been reading the forums. About to apply for PR for my partner. Before reading the forms, the only thing I had read anywhere about using staples in paperwork was in the latest checklist, which states that you are actually required to staple an envelope containing two immigration photos to one of the forms, being careful not to run the staple through the pictures in the envelope.

Then I read on the forum as of not even a year ago (the Q&A thread) that a CIC agent said that no staples whatsoever should be used (as I've read in another thread on the board too). Have the rules changed since November? If so, are staples allowed wherever we find it convenient now? I ask because some of our documents were stapled before we received them, e.g. translations double-stapled overtop corner-folding with a stamp overtop the whole folding/stapling thing, which certainly shows it was stapled to what it was actually stapled to (a certified copy of the original), but if we remove the staples because of some unofficial rule that doesn't appear on the CIC guide anywhere, it would look, in my opinion, a) messy and b) fishy.

Thanks,
Kev

 

[rjessome]

Hi,

I've recently been reading the forums. About to apply for PR for my partner. Before reading the forms, the only thing I had read anywhere about using staples in paperwork was in the latest checklist, which states that you are actually required to staple an envelope containing two immigration photos to one of the forms, being careful not to run the staple through the pictures in the envelope.

Then I read on the forum as of not even a year ago (the Q&A thread) that a CIC agent said that no staples whatsoever should be used (as I've read in another thread on the board too). Have the rules changed since November? If so, are staples allowed wherever we find it convenient now? I ask because some of our documents were stapled before we received them, e.g. translations double-stapled overtop corner-folding with a stamp overtop the whole folding/stapling thing, which certainly shows it was stapled to what it was actually stapled to (a certified copy of the original), but if we remove the staples because of some unofficial rule that doesn't appear on the CIC guide anywhere, it would look, in my opinion, a) messy and b) fishy.

Thanks,
Kev

Remove staples and use paper clips.

 

[Sunshine87]

I don't see how removing the staples looks fishy? I doubt agents processing applications have time to notice the tiny holes caused my taking staples out.

My husband had everything stapled together when he sent his stuff to me, and I took them all out and used paper clips.

 

[BCgirl2012]

I wouldn't remove the staples from the certified copies. The notaries sometimes use staples, and sometimes ribbons to attach the certification to the certified copies, or to certify a multipage document. So, removing the staples will actually ruin the certification, IMHO.

Anywhere else in the application though (e.g forms, extra sheets for the forms, etc) we are not suposed to use staples. Only paper clips.

Hope this helps.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I wouldn't remove the staples from the certified copies. The notaries sometimes use staples, and sometimes ribbons to attach the certification to the certified copies, or to certify a multipage document. So, removing the staples will actually ruin the certification, IMHO.

Agreed!

Hi,

I've recently been reading the forums. About to apply for PR for my partner. Before reading the forms, the only thing I had read anywhere about using staples in paperwork was in the latest checklist, which states that you are actually required to staple an envelope containing two immigration photos to one of the forms, being careful not to run the staple through the pictures in the envelope.

Then I read on the forum as of not even a year ago (the Q&A thread) that a CIC agent said that no staples whatsoever should be used (as I've read in another thread on the board too). Have the rules changed since November? If so, are staples allowed wherever we find it convenient now? I ask because some of our documents were stapled before we received them, e.g. translations double-stapled overtop corner-folding with a stamp overtop the whole folding/stapling thing, which certainly shows it was stapled to what it was actually stapled to (a certified copy of the original), but if we remove the staples because of some unofficial rule that doesn't appear on the CIC guide anywhere, it would look, in my opinion, a) messy and b) fishy.

Thanks,
Kev

Hello, Kev, and welcome to the forum

The notion that staples should not be used are from an old document that existed on the Buffalo visa office website with instructions that asked applicants to avoid staple use and instead encouraged the use of rubber bands or paper clips. While that document no longer exists on their website, the advice is still often passed on in this forum (and I guess you could argue it's slower to remove than a paperclip or rubber band). Frankly, I'd listen to your instinct and leave them on any documents that are purposely stapled, riveted, or attached with seals and ribbons. And, FWIW, plenty of people have reported that they've submitted staples on successful applications .

Good luck with your application

OhCanadiana

 

[rjessome]

I wouldn't remove the staples from the certified copies. The notaries sometimes use staples, and sometimes ribbons to attach the certification to the certified copies, or to certify a multipage document. So, removing the staples will actually ruin the certification, IMHO.

Anywhere else in the application though (e.g forms, extra sheets for the forms, etc) we are not suposed to use staples. Only paper clips.

Hope this helps.

NO. You REMOVE the staples from EVERY document. It does not ruin the certificate.

 

[Marty11]

I used both staples and paper clips. And nobody complained about them.

 

[Canada-Girl2012]

Same here ! I don't see why everyone's making it seem likes its a big deal with using staples. My application got approved and I had each paper stapled not including addition documents.

I used both staples and paper clips. And nobody complained about them.

 

[KevinHoping]

Thanks for your input everyone. Glad I heard more than one opinion! -K

 

[Harju]

We were the king and queen of staples and made it through fine.

 

[rjessome]

A staple is not going to result in a refusal. But if you want to cause less hassle to the person deciding your fate, I'd do what they instruct. When a file gets to CIC all staples, folders, dividers, clips, etc. are removed. Then it is reorganized (if necessary) and a hole is punched through the upper left hand corner of all of the papers and a big clip put through to hold all of file together. That's why they ask for no staples because of the punch.

 

[KevinHoping]

That's more helpful rjessome. I was wondering *why* exactly this was being said in the first place. I think based on what e.g. BCgirl2012 said, I won't be removing the staples from the translations--it may slow them down a bit but at least they'll see they're legit first--but based on your explanation I won't add any extra staples myself, which I would've been tempted to do if the process had been changed or something so that it really didn't matter. So I think it does matter but keeping them in some cases can also be important (another example being the case they explicitly state in the most current checklist.)

Let you know how it goes...next April or thereabouts, apparently.

Thanks again,
Kev

 

[lilizinha]

when i sent my application i used a plastic folder and i i used the plastics "bags" in side to put all my doc, i did it like a brochure.
Is that ok?
I just tought would be neat this way.

 

[Fencesitter]

I did it like that as well. It will be fine, as all the VO needs to do is remove the documents from the plastic sleeve. I did not include ANY staples or paperclips.

FS

 

[canadiangirl78]

A staple is not going to result in a refusal. But if you want to cause less hassle to the person deciding your fate, I'd do what they instruct. When a file gets to CIC all staples, folders, dividers, clips, etc. are removed. Then it is reorganized (if necessary) and a hole is punched through the upper left hand corner of all of the papers and a big clip put through to hold all of file together. That's why they ask for no staples because of the punch.

How do you know that?