How I organized our applcation and a summary of all helpful tips I have learned

[spencrw]

Just starting to compile all my evidence and I had a quick question - is it acceptable to use a highlighter pen on documents to highlight the relevant info or is this not allowed?

For example I have just printed off some phone bills which obviously itemize all of my calls & texts. Should I use a highlighter to indicate specifically the calls/texts to my spouse?

Also again using phone bills as an example do I have to include all the pages of the bill? If it is 10 pages long would it be better to only include the front page with my name/address and then any relevant page in order to make it easier for the officer and cut down on paperwork - or would this be deemed an incomplete document?

Thanks for any help

[podkayne8]

Just starting to compile all my evidence and I had a quick question - is it acceptable to use a highlighter pen on documents to highlight the relevant info or is this not allowed?

For example I have just printed off some phone bills which obviously itemize all of my calls & texts. Should I use a highlighter to indicate specifically the calls/texts to my spouse?

Also again using phone bills as an example do I have to include all the pages of the bill? If it is 10 pages long would it be better to only include the front page with my name/address and then any relevant page in order to make it easier for the officer and cut down on paperwork - or would this be deemed an incomplete document?

Thanks for any help

I am still awaiting PR so I can't say for sure but I highlighted the pertinent calls on my phone bill. I think that makes sense to do. I included the front page with my address and such and then just the pertinent pages of the bill. My thinking was they want evidence, not pages of stuff they don't need. Since the phone bill isn't an official document I don't think it can be considered incomplete - it is just supporting evidence.

[Emily2301]

Great job, pelipeli!!! I love that you included pictures! I'm just in the process of assembling everything and your post was so helpful! So thank you for that. I was a little bit intimidated by the size of your application but it also motivated me to see what you have done. And I totally understand why you did it. I tried to find as much proof as possible as well since my name is not on any utility bill or the mortgage. I worried alot about how to proof that we are in a common-law relationship. This forum gave me great ideas. I have to say that for me personally it is also nice to hear that some people included less proof and were approved. It is just nice to know. But to each their own! It might depend on your home country, too. I also think that some of us just like to be thorough and detailed and some are more to the point and concise (which I admire because everything takes me so long!).

I have one question: My answer to the development of our relationship kind of turned into a relationship essay. So I won't need to write another essay, do I? Or should I have kept that answer shorter (even though it is all about the development and what you said about it earlier!) and included a separate essay to attach at the end?? Thank you for taking the time to answer!

Good luck to everybody! Can't wait to send of this package!

PS: I have to confess that I was also stressed about paperclips and tabs...oh my. 

[pelipeli]

I have one question: My answer to the development of our relationship kind of turned into a relationship essay. So I won't need to write another essay, do I? Or should I have kept that answer shorter (even though it is all about the development and what you said about it earlier!) and included a separate essay to attach at the end?? Thank you for taking the time to answer!

Good luck to everybody! Can't wait to send of this package!

PS: I have to confess that I was also stressed about paperclips and tabs...oh my. 

Thanks =) to answer your question, you could do your development of rel'p in a more fact-based, objective way, like give dates, major events that you consider milestones in your rel'p. then you can do your relationship essay in a more subjective way like talk about how you feel, how you fell in love, what made you think he's the one, focus on your compatibility as a couple, etc.. =)

Good luck to you!

P.S. don't worry, you could do a lot more reading to help you organize yours. some even put their forms in plastic sleeves 

[Fencesitter]

Plastic sleeves?  I heard that paperclips were the way to go...

[suki]

Peli, it's a very impressive application you must have put a lot of time and effort into it! Wonderful Job on your part!
However I was told "Do not over kill"...all my communication was sent in 3-month gaps to prove it was Continuous, based on 3 years of being together. We were just granted our visa after a 8 month process and hubby lands next week! yay!!

I will be following closely to see how your application progresses, I wish you best of luck! Hopefully you will have your PPR soon! I too immigrated to Canada from Europe, so gathering all my landing papers and ensuring they were in order.

I always wondered which way to go small pkg or Big pkg, I choose small and condensed everything, even pictures I had 3 sheets 11x17-pictures made into collages (I love Walmart) so there was zero bulk...

I didnt write a essay about our relationship, however I did do a one page cover letter letter, of why we should be together, and what we can learn from one another! He also wrote a one page cover his version of why he loves me  

The info on the pet relocation is fabulous! and your dog is soooooo adorable!

but again, congrats and thanks for sharing and you are so right this pkg is priceless!!

[spencrw]

Thanks for the tips!!

[pelipeli]

Peli, it's a very impressive application you must have put a lot of time and effort into it! Wonderful Job on your part!
However I was told "Do not over kill"...all my communication was sent in 3-month gaps to prove it was Continuous, based on 3 years of being together. We were just granted our visa after a 8 month process and hubby lands next week! yay!!

I will be following closely to see how your application progresses, I wish you best of luck! Hopefully you will have your PPR soon! I too immigrated to Canada from Europe, so gathering all my landing papers and ensuring they were in order.

I always wondered which way to go small pkg or Big pkg, I choose small and condensed everything, even pictures I had 3 sheets 11x17-pictures made into collages (I love Walmart) so there was zero bulk...

I didnt write a essay about our relationship, however I did do a one page cover letter letter, of why we should be together, and what we can learn from one another! He also wrote a one page cover his version of why he loves me  

The info on the pet relocation is fabulous! and your dog is soooooo adorable!

but again, congrats and thanks for sharing and you are so right this pkg is priceless!!

Thank you..=) apparently, all that organization did not make me immune to what is happening to CIC now, it's my 91st day and no sponsor approval yet! grrrrrr...
Thank you, its double the stress for me, my hubby's visa , and our dog's relocation too, haha

[suki]

Peli, you guys are in my prayers!!  good things happening soon for you!

[pelipeli]

Peli, you guys are in my prayers!!  good things happening soon for you!

Thank you so much.. I don't wanna expect, but now that some who submitted their papers after me are getting their approvals, I am really hoping for good news in the next few days.. =)

[missmini]

Thank you so much.. I don't wanna expect, but now that some who submitted their papers after me are getting their approvals, I am really hoping for good news in the next few days.. =)

u will get it honey don't worry i feel bad a little that i got it before, but i'm sure overall u will b done before us, ur VO is so fast.... unfortunately noone is immune, there's a queue and everybody waits their turn....but u know it's so far from Ottawa to Edmonton for a snail mail
for me it will b triple stress: visa, my own movement back and cat relocation....i'll follow ur progress

[missmini]

Great job, pelipeli!!! I love that you included pictures! I'm just in the process of assembling everything and your post was so helpful! So thank you for that. I was a little bit intimidated by the size of your application but it also motivated me to see what you have done. And I totally understand why you did it. I tried to find as much proof as possible as well since my name is not on any utility bill or the mortgage. I worried alot about how to proof that we are in a common-law relationship. This forum gave me great ideas. I have to say that for me personally it is also nice to hear that some people included less proof and were approved. It is just nice to know. But to each their own! It might depend on your home country, too. I also think that some of us just like to be thorough and detailed and some are more to the point and concise (which I admire because everything takes me so long!).

I have one question: My answer to the development of our relationship kind of turned into a relationship essay. So I won't need to write another essay, do I? Or should I have kept that answer shorter (even though it is all about the development and what you said about it earlier!) and included a separate essay to attach at the end?? Thank you for taking the time to answer!

Good luck to everybody! Can't wait to send of this package!

PS: I have to confess that I was also stressed about paperclips and tabs...oh my. 

hi Emily....for us the development ended up also like an essay and we left it like that....but me (the sponsor) i made a timeline (table) with the important events on our relationship; just in case somebody will fall asleep reading a long essay s/he can look over that table directly and skip the essay...just make sure that somewhere (the essay, point based list, table) u will go through ur relationship evidence too (like this they will understand what u include where and why)....i think any way is good, as long as it makes u confortable and as clear and easier as possible for them

[canadiangirl78]

Thank you so much.. I don't wanna expect, but now that some who submitted their papers after me are getting their approvals, I am really hoping for good news in the next few days.. =)

You are next! Your file was just given to a slightly slower or more overworked officer. Any second now!

[missmini]

I am still awaiting PR so I can't say for sure but I highlighted the pertinent calls on my phone bill. I think that makes sense to do. I included the front page with my address and such and then just the pertinent pages of the bill. My thinking was they want evidence, not pages of stuff they don't need. Since the phone bill isn't an official document I don't think it can be considered incomplete - it is just supporting evidence.

same here!! i thought if i don't highlight it will b harder for them to notice the important; and same, in some instances i skipped pages, i tried to live only the pertinent things....so yeah in the phone bills, bank statements, other non official documents i highlighted here and there (our names, dates, phone numbers for ex)....but u should not do that in the passport copies, id's, rental contracts, insurances and other official documents or documents u submit originals or notarized

[missmini]

You are next! Your file was just given to a slightly slower or more overworked officer. Any second now!

maybe cuz they made special meeting around her file to take tips on how to organize their own work and office LOL