Applying for your spouse sponsorship is a time consuming and stressful process. To reduce your anxiety and eliminate as many "what ifs" from popping up after you submit your application, do your research before you submit your application. Here is a list of useful tips for applying for spouse sponsorship.
Remember that CIC guide is your #1 source of information. Anyone applying should read the Application Guide on the CIC website at least twice before filling out the forms. Review the documents check list carefully to fully understanding of what is required before you apply.
Do go over the forms with your spouse before the marriage, so you both have a good idea of what will be required from both of you.Remember that CIC guide is your #1 source of information. Anyone applying should read the Application Guide on the CIC website at least twice before filling out the forms. Review the documents check list carefully to fully understanding of what is required before you apply.
The most common reason for people to be called for an interview is that the visa officer has doubts about the relationship being genuine. It is up to you to send some quality data, emails, chat logs, phone records, photos, letters and other material to prove to them that your relationship is the real thing. Other reasons you might have problems with is eligibility of the sponsor. The sponsor can not be on social assistance, can not be bankrupt and can not have a record of violent crimes or crimes against family members. If that is the case, better talk to an immigration lawyer before attempting to apply.
Contact before marriage:
Send all the proofs of any communication between you two before wedding(Skype sessions, viber chat, emails, phone calls, engagement gifts).
Full wedding with rukhsati:
You can apply with nikah only case but it is recommended to have a full wedding with rukhsati as nikah only case can delay your process and there are high chances to be called for an interview.
Application forms:
-Ensure application is complete, with no missing
documents, has plenty of photos, evidence, proof of relationship, etc
- Make
sure everything is filled out to the best of your knowledge. Anything that
doesn't apply, specifically write N/A on each line, do no leave any space
blank. Be truthful, and do not embellish too much. It should be something you
can recount accurately later on, along with your spouse.
***The personal history field is very important.
Spend time going over it and filling in all gaps. Co-ordinate the dates
with your school certificates and job letters. Include any and all
travel history or stays in different areas. Keep the month precise, and if you
don't remember the exact date, just go with the first day of the month to the
end of the month, but don't even leave a day's gap. If all you did was spend
time at home then say that (ex. at home, looking for jobs and studying for
exam)***
Send updated forms:
Many people work on applications over a few months (filling forms well in advance). However the forms are constantly changed by the CIC (usually subtle updates). As such, it is important to always download and use the forms from the CIC website. You should never use forms downloaded from another website. You can usually check the version of the form which is printed at the bottom of the sheet to ensure you're submitting the most current version (compare the forms you complete to the ones on the CIC website).
- Check CIC website for any updated forms/policies before you submit your application.
- Check CIC website for any updated forms/policies before you submit your application.
Review:
- Review the file multiple times to make sure you did not miss/leave anything. It is
highly recommended to apply with a couple extra days after meeting the
requirements to ensure that you aren't penalized for any mistakes in
calculation, or any ambiguity in dates. Make sure all supporting documentation
is dated appropriately.
Before sending your forms, get someone to read your forms independently
(family member, etc.). It is very easy to make an obvious mistake (like not
signing your forms) when you've been starring at them for weeks. You'd be
amazed at how the most obvious mistakes can go undetected.
-Fill the forms together if possible, it's a great way to get to know
your spouse and to try to recall personal history. Also discuss what both your
answers should be to the questionnaire's first, and then fill each respective
one out.
Supporting documents:
Provide receipts for all purchases (gifts, wedding
costs, living costs, jewellery etc).
Provide itinerary for everyone travelling from Canada to Pakistan, and boarding
passes plus entry and exit stamps.
Send pictures from pre-wedding, wedding functions,
honeymoon, eid, restaurants, just regular get togethers at home with relatives. Provide date,
occasion, and name+relationship of everyone in pics.
- Provide originals for all documents listed for Pakistani nationals. DO NOT make the mistake of submitting copies of anything that is specifically asked for as an original (these have to be validated for authenticity and you could potentially add so much time to your review for them to prove that the copy they received is not fake). You will get all these documents back safe and sound!
Here is a list of documents you can send
- Pictures of the wedding;
- Pictures of travels together at different times and different places;
- Phone and email records
- Pictures of the honeymoon;
- Travel receipts (e.g., airline tickets);
- Passport stamps from travel (copies);
- Joint bank account letter
- Greeting cards, gift receipts
- Financial support proofs
- Skype, viber, facebook chat and call history
During processing of your case:
To get an appreciation of
where you are, relative to other people (which is the best you can do), use the
following resources:
a) Look at the application threads - for each year there is a thread where all persons who applied within the year track their applications. Look at the threads to gain a sense of where people ahead of you are at.Some maintain Google Docs spreadsheets or tables, which make it easier to see at a glance.
b) trackitt.com has a database of application, showing timelines. While it is a great resource, it is important to note that it is only a sample of some application, and some people don't update their timelines often (or at all).
a) Look at the application threads - for each year there is a thread where all persons who applied within the year track their applications. Look at the threads to gain a sense of where people ahead of you are at.Some maintain Google Docs spreadsheets or tables, which make it easier to see at a glance.
b) trackitt.com has a database of application, showing timelines. While it is a great resource, it is important to note that it is only a sample of some application, and some people don't update their timelines often (or at all).
Canadavisa.com forum(http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/family-class-sponsorship-b5.0/) is a good resource for anyone applying
for the sponsorship. However, there are a certain caveats that must be taken
into account.
a) Older posts may no longer be accurate.
b) Use common sense - if it seems wrong, there's a good chance that it is.
c) Using a representative doesn't absolve you from the responsibility of understanding what you're being told. Even if you use a representative, it is your application. Always do adequate research about what you're being told.
a) Older posts may no longer be accurate.
b) Use common sense - if it seems wrong, there's a good chance that it is.
c) Using a representative doesn't absolve you from the responsibility of understanding what you're being told. Even if you use a representative, it is your application. Always do adequate research about what you're being told.
The Chc office is understaffed and deal with a lot of applications. You
should use the GCMS notes if you need a general non-specific case query, rather
than an email - 99.99% of the time you will get a generic response. Only
contact them as requested.
Waiting is stressful - everyone here knows it. To reduce stress and
anxiety, try to get a full picture understanding of processing times. Key
things to keep in mind:Processing times differ between individuals. They have staff at different levels of seniority that assess application, and can internally defer applications to more senior staff when necessary. The times posted on the websites are averages. There is a wide range of processing times, so don't expect to be an average.
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