Hi Obrunicoco,
Welcome to the forum. I am somewhat new myself. My husband and I put in our application back at the beginning of February.
I included my comments below your questions to make it a bit easier.
p.s. can I just say I love the name you chose. Made me smile so much
Hello Everyone!
I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I am looking forward to any future help you can provide. I am a Canadian women sponsoring my Ghanaian spouse (I'm 28, he's 27). We were married here in Accra last month after being together for 2 years (about a year of that was physically together in Ghana). We met in a totally legitimate way (through a professor during a university trip to Ghana and then did an internship at an organization together) and have lots of proof of our relationship. We are both university graduates and hope the process goes quickly so we do not have to do any more long distance!
A few questions:
1. Seems to me that you cannot do your medicals in advance anymore. Any thoughts on that? I called the doctor and they have a new electronic system. I wonder if this will delay the process?
We really struggled with this as well. The website is completely contradictory and calling CIC was not of any help. However, in the end we decided to do the medicals anyhow due to comments from a lawyer I've been emailing and through friends and this forum. I think it is a better idea from what I have seen to do them upfront. You can find the information now on the CIC website of the 2 doctor office locations in/near Accra approved by CIC. My husband went to the one right in Accra as he knew better where that location was. He went 2 hours before the place opened, waited another 2 hours in line and then the medical itself was another 2 hour process. Definitely a long day! Felt so bad for him. My lawyer told me that he was to expect to get a receipt that had his picture on it...he didn't. All he got was a paper receipt showing he paid. I was a little frustrated here. About 2 1/2 weeks after we sent our whole application in, guess what we get a call about - that exact receipt. My husband was to come and pick it up and mail it to me as it stated that it was to go along with our application - so NOT impressed with this lack of communication. In the end he held on to it as the approval for sponsorship processing time had dropped considerably and it was a good thing we did as by the end of the week I had received my approval. So in the end he just mailed it into the visa office in Accra once we were sure our application had made it there. Anyhow, so just be aware of that.
Oh and you didn't ask but he also got his police check done on the same day. It was going to take a couple weeks to process but in the end made a great connection with a guard who felt he needed to help my husband and for some 'small pocket change' was able to literally get his police check back 2 days later! Which was great because I was basically just waiting on these 2 things to arrive in my mailbox to send off our application to Mississauga.
2. We will be sending in pictures (have tons), emails, phone logs, FB msgs, etc and some letter of support form mutual Canadian and Ghanaian friends (my husband has been to my hometown in Canada but it was one year before we met, however lots of Canadian students have come over and know the two of us as a couple, we have never been in Canada together). Any suggestions of other proof we can send? Should my husband sends documents to proof his employability (e.g. letter of reference, past contracts, etc)??
I myself sent in about 115 pictures. I taped 2 or 3 pictures to an 8 1/2 page paper and labeled each one with date, location and who was in the picture and their relation to us. This was recommended to me by a friend who had already gone through the process and had hired a lawyer. I think the letters of support is a great addition. I included 6 of those myself. As far as the 'employability' we didn't include anything extra besides what we stated on the forms - however, I leave someone else to comment to that.
3. What proof did most send in for their completion of National Service? Will a copy of the completion certificate and appointment letter be suffice? Also does he need a letter from his current employeer or will the appointment letter be fine? (he doesn't really want them to know he will be leaving!)
My husband is 34 so we didn't deal with this section. I think it is not necessary personally as it is Canada that is reviewing the application and we don't have national service obligations. We also didn't include a letter about his employment per se, but he works for an NGO that has an office here in Canada too and I know one of the women that works there and she wrote up a personal letter on behalf of my husband to demonstrate his character.
4. How long can the 'development of relationship' attachment be? We have had a lot of trips and spent lots of time together, so there is plenty to talk about! Is there such thing as sending too many supporting documents??
My husband wrote out our Spouse/Partner Questionnaire (IMM5490) questions in a Word doc (as the boxes didn't have enough room) and that came to about 5 pages in itself. Included questions # 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 19 and 24. I don't think it hurts to be long, but I would include what you think is essential. Also I know it is smart to make sure you have photos included that can line up with what you speak about in these questions - make sure there are no discrepancies (like in dates, locations, etc) as they look for that.
5. Right now I work seasonally so I can spend more time in Ghana. Last year I only made about $26,000. I am unemployed now because I have been in Ghana for sometime but have a contract proving I am returning to work in Canada for a 3 month contract where I'll make about $20,000. Will my income be an issue? I think I am technically a bit below the recommended amount.
I was told numerous times that finances are not allowed to be a reason for a rejection when it comes to spousal sponsorship. I was really concerned about this as I am currently finishing off another university degree and haven't had a steady income for a couple years now, but thankfully have adequate amount of savings. This obviously didn't hurt me as I was approved as a sponsor in 21 days.
I really appreciate all your comments. I have enjoyed reading the forum so far and look forward to getting to the stage where I can help others too!
No problem!! All the best in this. I myself will be heading back to Ghana in just over 3 weeks. I'm so excited and can't wait to be back and with my husband during the summer while we wait out this process.
Take care and blessings! Remember, just be patient. It states this will be a year process, which is what I bank on, that way anything less will be a wonderful miracle to enjoy.
