how big of an issue is the applicant sending the sponsor money?

[kourts]

Im American and shes Canadian, we have a joint savings account set up and I have sent a little money to her to put in our savings account, little less than 500. Do you think this is a big deal or could be a red flag? or would a red flag be a bigger sum of cash being sent?

also just wondering if CIC thinks the sponsor should be paying the whole application fee, or is both sides splitting the cost okay?

[awor]

I think a small amount like that wouldn't hurt anything, as long as the rest of her application shows she can support you. It might actually help to show a more real relationship, that you're willing to help her...but... (always a but) it might not be worth the risk that CIC sees it and thinks she wouldn't be able to sponsor you. I don't think it's required anywhere to show you've sent her money.

Sponsor is supposed to pay the fees, but I can't imagine how they would even know if you sent her part of it and she paid then.

[canuck0469]

kourts, as the states and canadian ways of life are very similiar it may not be a big an issue as it would from other countries. As awor has stated if you are sending her funds there is no reason that she need to claim it unless she suddenly ends up with a large sum in her bank account cic will not know. You can always save it and give her cash the next time you meet which she can use for her everyday expenses, leaving the funds in her account to pay the fees when req'd, only a thought
Good luck

[kourts]

its a joint savings account, which I mentioned in the application. I figured a mentioning we have a joint savings account would help show that this marriage is genuine.

[mittens]

i've deposited money from the uk to our joint acct in canada and included it in the application.
i know the IO can look at it 2 ways, but we are genuine, and the reasons for sending it are genuine so i am just being open and honest and if it comes to interview i will just have to explain that too

just do what is right i reckon and the truth will out

[lenardparnold]

I hope not. I sent evidence of my wife sending money to my account mutiple times, a couple thousand per time. I figured it would be more evidence of us being together because they dated back a period of  year and a half and were spread out over that period. I never even thought of it as being an issue or that is could be a red flag for marriage fraud. I mentioned in the application that it was proof of us being involved and that we used my mastercard often for purchases and withdrawls, and paid it back by sending money to my account in Canada and paying the bill through my account. We also had proof of our joint account in Thailand.

My wife did have more money than me. That's not an issue is it? But now we are almost out money anyways because of waiting in Thailand and I will need to go back and work soon.

[canadianwoman]

Evidence of financial support is one of the things the VO looks at to determine if the relationship is genuine. The sponsor sending the applicant money, or the other way around, is usually seen as good evidence the relationship is genuine. Now, if the applicant sends $20,000 to the sponsor, the VO will question it, certainly, but smaller amounts are ordinarily OK; in fact, they are good.

I've seen two examples where sending money was bad: one appeal case where the Chinese applicant sent $20,000 to the sponsor, whom he barely knew. And a Nigerian man who sent money to his Canadian sponsor - the VO accused him of paying for her to marry him. Both of these cases are from countries where marriage fraud is common.
In all other cases I've seen, money transfers have been seen as good.

[Cdagal]

canadianwoman OMG that just shows how subjective this process is! My husband (Nigerian) and I sent money to each other all the time and the VO thought it showed that our relationship was real...Of course, I read about that case after I sent the paperwork, so there was no chance to change the fact that I included all the recipts I guess it just depends on the VO who reads it!!

[kourts]

so it can go either way. >_< im not sure if i should send the receipts along with it or not. lol

[CharlieD10]

In your case, kourts, I would go ahead and send the receipts.

a) You're American, marriage fraud is not a big issue there.
b) You're both contributing to the account.
c) Your willingness to support her is actually a plus on your side, especially as you have mentioned before that she is a student living at home.

[Cdagal]

I agree...I think you should definitely include them. I believe it shows the relationship is genuine and caring.

[canadianwoman]

I agree with the above posters - send in the evidence of financial support. Both of you are contributing, for one thing; like Cdagal's case, where both sent each other money. Then it just looks like your finances are intertwined, which is a sign of a genuine relationship.
Even in the operating manual, financial support is mentioned as a sign of a genuine relationship. It's almost always seen as good.