Relationship Proof: Already in Canada

[McDutch]

Hi all,

Here's another Relationship Proof topic.
I've read all the others and they seemed to be more "She's living here, he's living there" kinda thing.

In my case, i've been living here for 2 years already (Living together) and we have all our stuff together (Taxes, Mortgage, Insurance, Bank accounts, Cats)
Does CIC still need to see my dirty text messages before they believe in a genuine relationship?

I am originally from The Netherlands and she is (obviously) full blown Canadian.

Thanks!

[Baloo]

Hi all,

Here's another Relationship Proof topic.
I've read all the others and they seemed to be more "She's living here, he's living there" kinda thing.

In my case, i've been living here for 2 years already (Living together) and we have all our stuff together (Taxes, Mortgage, Insurance, Bank accounts, Cats)
Does CIC still need to see my dirty text messages before they believe in a genuine relationship?

I am originally from The Netherlands and she is (obviously) full blown Canadian.

Thanks!

Sending the "dirty" texts won't help, it takes them longer to read the full application 
But submitting documentation that shows how the relationship developed can be useful.

Never assume, always write the application (and provide proof) so that it will convince a complete stranger.

FWIW having cats is not conclusive proof of a genuine relationship.

[McDutch]

I have copie sof all the legal stuff we share, and have letters of when we were penpals from 14 years back. We didn't start dating since 2008, of which i have tons of photos (doing all kinds of trips) but pinpointin all the e-mails would be a little tough now that we live together.

Cats won't help? I guess i won't have to photocopy them then ;-)

[Quince777]

In my case, i've been living here for 2 years already (Living together) and we have all our stuff together (Taxes, Mortgage, Insurance, Bank accounts, Cats)

These are all very good relationship proofs. If you can think of anything else that might help to prove just add it in.

[Baloo]

I have copie sof all the legal stuff we share, and have letters of when we were penpals from 14 years back. We didn't start dating since 2008, of which i have tons of photos (doing all kinds of trips) but pinpointin all the e-mails would be a little tough now that we live together.

Cats won't help? I guess i won't have to photocopy them then ;-)

No need for all the emails, a selection of correspondence is good enough.

A hint on photos - if they are digital, great, if not scan them; Then place them in a word document (six per page) and add the descriptions etc underneath each photo.
Keep originals unless CIC specifically ask for an original.
Take a copy of the app before sending it.
Get proof of delivery (signed for).

[Kazakhstan]

Can you clarify if you are spouses or common-law partners? As you know, if you guys are in common-law marriage, then on top of proving the relationship is bona fide you have to prove co-habitation for at least 12 past months.

Just in case you haven't gone through these forms, they will give you some idea of what they expect:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english//pdf/kits/forms/IMM5443E.pdf

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english//pdf/kits/forms/IMM5285E.PDF

Also, study this document it'll give more detailed information:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/ip/ip02-eng.pdf

[RedSox502]

A hint on photos - if they are digital, great, if not scan them; Then place them in a word document (six per page) and add the descriptions etc underneath each photo.
Keep originals unless CIC specifically ask for an original.

Could you send the actual photos though? I had over 150 digital photos printed at Black's just so I could have 'actual' photos to send with this application.

[McDutch]

I've gone through all the forms, but it seems that every time you read them you discover something new.
We've been living together for 2 years, but absolute solid proof is only available from 1 year back. (The deed to our house)
before that she was just renting an apartment and i was paying for half.

We have tons of pictures of trips in both Canada and Europe together, my whole family knows we are getting married (With the whole big wedding thing) next August.
I'll probably add the engagement pictures and if i have to, i'll even add a copy-receipt of the engagement ring.

I have e-mails in the thousands from when we were living apart the first year, but they are not exactly, useful (I miss you, only 60 more sleeps kinda stuff)

[Baloo]

Could you send the actual photos though? I had over 150 digital photos printed at Black's just so I could have 'actual' photos to send with this application.

Yes, but I guess that you will be writing on the back of the photos then?

Or you could number the pictures and add numbered comments on a document.

As long as you have your originals, or a way to have them printed again, because some people have not had items returned.

[Kazakhstan]

A hint on photos - if they are digital, great, if not scan them; Then place them in a word document (six per page) and add the descriptions etc underneath each photo.

We didn't have a scanner so we went to a UPS store and had colour photocopies done of 6 pictures per page, then added description by handwriting.

As for what to include or not, "the more the better" but at the same time be reasonable. Think of if you're trying to convince a logical person. And nothing extra personal... Like, no need to send all of everything. For example, as required by the application forms and questionnaire, we've included a list of family and friends who know about our marriage with their contact details, not ALL 1,000 of them but just a few of the closest ones...

[RedSox502]

Yes, but I guess that you will be writing on the back of the photos then?

Or you could number the pictures and add numbered comments on a document.

As long as you have your originals, or a way to have them printed again, because some people have not had items returned.

Yes, I had planned to write on the back of them and to also include a 'master list' with all the information from the back of each photo in spreadsheet form.

I don't mind not having them returned, since they're all digital photos there never actually were 'originals.'

[Kazakhstan]

Could you send the actual photos though? I had over 150 digital photos printed at Black's just so I could have 'actual' photos to send with this application.

Of course you can. But why send in 150??? A lot fewer is quite enough. But it's up to you.

[McDutch]

Maybe i'll just put my fiancee in a box and add it to the application, she's pretty convincing.

[RedSox502]

Of course you can. But why send in 150??? A lot fewer is quite enough. But it's up to you.

That's what my wife keeps telling me But I want there to be no doubt to the IO. The photos are not just of us, but us together with my wife's children and both our families.

[McDutch]

Coming from Holland all this work is mindblowing.
In Holland all you have to do is eat your passport on arrival and you are good for about 18 years