Tech Based Relationship

[parker24]

Yep, I've explained how everything developed, why we communicated the way we did, how we're attached to certain things, the context of all images in the games, (I wrote basic context for like, 75 game images and how we worked together since we play co-operative games all the time) and also I will be explaining every single thing I provide as well as our random pictures of each other, occasional family events and us learning how to cook -- I've also explained our little adventures so he or she will have that to peruse for entertainment.

Me and my husband talked about the possibility of an interview and it kind of scares us.

How much would it cost to go there and back? This is our biggest concern. We're both in Vernon, BC so I don't know where we'll have to go, and I'm a United States citizen in case that factors into anything

There are four offices in the US and one in Canada that handles the US cases: Seattle, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City and Ottawa. Since you're in BC, it's possible it'll be as close to there as possible (I'm geographically challenged, but I would assume it would be Seattle or LA)

What kind of questions would they ask there? I've heard they may try to trick you or screw with your head a bit but since I'm from a police family and pretty well versed on 'worst case scenario' in terms of interviews I don't think I have that to worry about.

I've heard them asking when is the sponsor's birthday, favorite colours, why you didn't visit as often as you could have etc. HOWEVER, to reassure you, chances of a USA/Canadian interview, is actually really slim.

Steph C, if you or anyone else are actually curious about games to pass the time while you wait then you may want to visit store.steampowered.com and look around. They're having a sale as we speak so you may find a few things there as long as they fit your tastes and system requirements.

 

[Rob_TO]

For the getting engaged/married quickly thing: My husband met me face to face August 14th, 2010. Proposed to me August 17th, 2010, we got married Sept 24 2011. So I don't think that's a big deal.

Well in your case you waited over a full year from meeting until actually getting married, and also waited an additional 6 months before submitting your application. So there is quite a lot of time there to develop a "normal" relationship.

In the OPs case here, they will have met for the 1st time, got married, and submitted their PR application all within around 6 months (i think). Just saying... when things happen this fast it tends to raise red flags.

As another poster mentioned though, applications from wealthy nations like the US, UK, Japan, Australia etc... tend to have higher success rates for spousal sponsorship (like 95% according to latest stats) in general vs the poorer nations. So hopefully all will go well with this app and no interview will be needed... BUT as this is most definitely a "weird" one in the OPs own words... well it all depends how the VO feels about all the info.

 

[ZebraJCH]

We were married in one month from meeting one another physically after two and a half years of a long distance relationship. To clarify.

 

[tow75]

What kind of questions would they ask there? I've heard they may try to trick you or screw with your head a bit but since I'm from a police family and pretty well versed on 'worst case scenario' in terms of interviews I don't think I have that to worry about.

I agree with you parker24, I think it's very unlikely that a US/Canadian couple would ever have an interview. We had a "worst scenario" interview, mostly because my husband is Moroccan (lots of marriage shams) even though him and his family are far better off financially than me, and he has no incentive to gain status here other than to live with me.
In our interview, the only normal questions we got were "what's a typical day for you" and "what are the names of your husband's parents". The rest were statements designed to get us to contradict them, like "This bothers me" "This doesn't seem right to me" "You didn't want your in laws at your wedding" "Your husband does nothing for you" "You should be concerned about how your husband did in university before he met you because I believe he moved here with the intention of marrying someone and gaining status" etc etc. It was awful! We had an inland interview though which might be a bit different.
I've spoken to other people who have lots in common with our situation (small wedding without family, short engagement) but no interview was requested for them because the person being sponsored was from a developed country (France, Britain etc). I think some of the scrutiny was justified but the last few weeks have been a nightmare.
I really don't think you'll need an interview though!!

 

[Steph C]

We were married in one month from meeting one another physically after two and a half years of a long distance relationship. To clarify.

The timeline you wrote says met August 2010 and married in September 2011.

 

[ZebraJCH]

Steph C, those are Parkers details. Me and my husband met on March 21st, 2010 and married on September 15th, 2012. It's easy to get lost in all these numbers being thrown around.

Yeah, tow, they seem to be fond of trying to bait a response from a marriage involving an under developed country. Seems kind of silly the way they're doing it though, most of those techniques are outlawed in the United States police departments but I guess immigration has a bit more room to maneuver. Still seems outrageous.

 

[parker24]

The timeline you wrote says met August 2010 and married in September 2011.

Yes that's mine

 

[Steph C]

Yes that's mine

You guys are confusing me

 

[ZebraJCH]

You guys are confusing me

We are training to be interviewers.

 

[amikety]

We are training to be interviewers.

This thread is one the most humorous things I've read in a long time. So awesome. Sarcasm is my first language. (But this post is in my second language, Sincerity.)

Did you guys get married in game too? That's 110% absolute proof. MMO marriages last forever. Or until someone with more cash points comes along.

 

[ZebraJCH]

No, we didn't do anything like that.

We're not too into MMOs, the closest thing we did similar to those was Diablo II when I was on my old man's laptop when my main system was waiting for thermal paste to re-attach my CPU fan. Never trust the sheets that you get with CPU fans with the thermal paste already applied, that doesn't actually stick too well in the long run.

I asked Ian to marry me over our Teamspeak server and I did the dorkiest, most loserific thing I could and presented to him a picture of a green ring, since he likes green, but we just both laughed and he said he didn't really care for jewelery that much and in that instant, I knew one of the reasons why I love him so much -- so logical and practical. He said 'of course!' in an instant, by the way.

We said we would get ribbons for our marriage ceremony and indeed we did. We picked out some nice ones at a small, independently operated store in the area and got married right outside of Vernon City Hall. It's a beautiful area right outside there. And we're not talking about Justice Park, my god that place is in ruins and I bashed my head against one of the rocks there one time. Definitely wrote a bad review about that place in my essay. Will not be a return customer. 0 stars. The reason Justice Park is called that is because it is its own jury, judge and executioner.

 

[truesmile]

Just to add, we submitted NO skype logs, NO chat room conversations, NO emails . . . just 60 or so photos and a few original greeting cards (3 or less). And here we are with 'Decision Made' only today.

 

[amikety]

Many couples submit minimal evidence. It just depends on the case.

 

[ZebraJCH]

Just to add, we submitted NO skype logs, NO chat room conversations, NO emails . . . just 60 or so photos and a few original greeting cards (3 or less). And here we are with 'Decision Made' only today.

Must have been really impressive greeting cards.

 

[Rob_TO]

Just to add, we submitted NO skype logs, NO chat room conversations, NO emails . . . just 60 or so photos and a few original greeting cards (3 or less). And here we are with 'Decision Made' only today.

Ya but i'm sure you also didn't first meet your partner, develop the entire relationship, and ask them to marry you.... all long distance/online without ever having actually met them in person!

In our common-law application, we never included any skype, chats, phone records, cards, or anything whatsoever like that. Just photos, joint finances and a testimonial from a family member. Since we lived together the whole time... there was no need for any "proof" of communication and the app was pretty minimal.

In general i think a simple formula to follow is... the more time you have spent physically together as a couple, the less proof you have to show. Very little time spent physically together would mean a much greater burden of proving the relationship and would need an application with tons more evidence. But in the end the best thing you can hope for here is to get a very lenient and understanding VO!