I want to sponsor my fiancé

[Minimini91]

Hi, I'm wondering what my options are if I want to sponsor my fiancé from Korea.
I'm a Canadian citizen and have been with my partner for 2 years. She initially came to Canada on a tourist/working visa and left after a year. After a few months I followed her to Korea (still here) and we're both looking to go back to Canada permanently.
I'm also worried if I'm eligible to become a sponsor (I'm a recent graduate and was previously living with my parents); it's my understanding that a sponsor needs to be able to financially support the applicant/partner. I'm also unsure as to which application form I need to apply for...
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Minimini91]

Sorry, I forgot to add that my partner wants to work in Canada (since we're both poor graduates :-[).

 

[Bcboundboy]

If you have lived together for 12 continuous months (ie from start to finish - 11 months living together then a 2 month gap then 10 months living together does NOT count), you can apply as a common law couple. If not, you will need to either meet that, or get married and apply as a married couple.

There is no specific minimum income requirement, you must not be on welfare or be bankrupt.

 

[Minimini91]

Thanks for the reply! I guess my only option is to get married, apply to become a sponsor and then fill out the IMM5589.

 

[danawhitaker]

Thanks for the reply! I guess my only option is to get married, apply to become a sponsor and then fill out the IMM5589.

Actually, you would need to use a different form, that's the one for common law. You would want to use the one for spouses.

 

[Minimini91]

Actually, you would need to use a different form, that's the one for common law. You would want to use the one for spouses.

Oh, I see. So fill out the IMM5533 after getting married?

 

[danawhitaker]

Oh, I see. So fill out the IMM5533 after getting married?

If you get married before applying, yes.

 

[Minimini91]

Hi again! So my wife and I are now legally married (just waiting for our certificate ), and we're getting our documents ready and I have a few questions...
My wife is here on a visitor's visa currently (6 months), landed here on November 12th and got married on the 18th.
I moved out of my parent's place on the 4th and now my wife and I are living together.
So that's our current situation and here's the list of questions I have:

Question 1: Do I (sponsor) need to change my address for government IDs etc.?
Question 2: My wife (principal applicant) did not get any stamps/documents on her passport on arrival to Canada, how can she provide proof of status in Canada? (supporting documents for sponsored persons checklist #1)
Question 3: For the proof of relationship to sponsor section, we have a rental agreement with both our names on it, joint BCHydro account, joint bank account and cellphone bills with both our names on it (the last checkbox for other documents showing both our names). Is this sufficient proof? A friend suggested I apply for some sort of insurance and add my wife as a beneficiary... Would this help our chances of acceptance? She does not have any Canadian government issued IDs with our current address as she is on a visitor's visa.
Question 4: I'm a bit confused for the last section on the checklist. It asks us to provide at least 2 of the following:
- important documents for you and your spouse showing that you are recognized as each other's spouse (such as employment or insurance benefits)
*Could someone give me some concrete examples of what these documents may be? I realize life insurance could be one of them, or extended spouse/family employee insurance benefits (which I don't have since I'm a temp)
- documentary evidence of financial support between you and your sponsor, and/or shared expenses.
*Again it'd be nice to have some concrete examples... Would a bank statement/transaction list of our joint account be acceptable? Utility bills? Groceries?
- other proof that your relationship is recognized by friends and/or family
*We have hand written letters from our friends and family and that's about it, as well as messages via instant messenger services. We don't use SNS and are reluctant to make one... Will the letters suffice?

Help will be greatly appreciated . Thanks everyone!

 

[Minimini91]

Bump- any and all help would be appreciated!

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi again! So my wife and I are now legally married (just waiting for our certificate ), and we're getting our documents ready and I have a few questions...
My wife is here on a visitor's visa currently (6 months), landed here on November 12th and got married on the 18th.
I moved out of my parent's place on the 4th and now my wife and I are living together.
So that's our current situation and here's the list of questions I have:

Question 1: Do I (sponsor) need to change my address for government IDs etc.?
Question 2: My wife (principal applicant) did not get any stamps/documents on her passport on arrival to Canada, how can she provide proof of status in Canada? (supporting documents for sponsored persons checklist #1)
Question 3: For the proof of relationship to sponsor section, we have a rental agreement with both our names on it, joint BCHydro account, joint bank account and cellphone bills with both our names on it (the last checkbox for other documents showing both our names). Is this sufficient proof? A friend suggested I apply for some sort of insurance and add my wife as a beneficiary... Would this help our chances of acceptance? She does not have any Canadian government issued IDs with our current address as she is on a visitor's visa.
Question 4: I'm a bit confused for the last section on the checklist. It asks us to provide at least 2 of the following:
- important documents for you and your spouse showing that you are recognized as each other's spouse (such as employment or insurance benefits)
*Could someone give me some concrete examples of what these documents may be? I realize life insurance could be one of them, or extended spouse/family employee insurance benefits (which I don't have since I'm a temp)
- documentary evidence of financial support between you and your sponsor, and/or shared expenses.
*Again it'd be nice to have some concrete examples... Would a bank statement/transaction list of our joint account be acceptable? Utility bills? Groceries?
- other proof that your relationship is recognized by friends and/or family
*We have hand written letters from our friends and family and that's about it, as well as messages via instant messenger services. We don't use SNS and are reluctant to make one... Will the letters suffice?

Help will be greatly appreciated . Thanks everyone!

1 - Yes you both should update any addresses to show common address. This will help in proof of relationship with PR app.
2 - Her passport was swiped electronically by CBSA so they have record of her entry. She will be on 6 months visitor status by default. You can simply explain this, and visa officer can pull up CBSA records if they need to.
3/4 - Yes you can get insurance on each other, and you can show you've changed your status with CRA from single to married. As well you can open a joint bank account with her (I can't recall which banks this is easier to do at for foreigners), or get her a supplemental credit card to your existing one.
Testimonial letters writen by family/friend will also help, and of course photographs from the wedding and during relationship.

If you are applying INLAND method, then you will also submit an Open Work Permit application (and pay OWP fees) in the same package as the PR app.

 

[Ceimi]

Hi again! So my wife and I are now legally married (just waiting for our certificate ), and we're getting our documents ready and I have a few questions...
My wife is here on a visitor's visa currently (6 months), landed here on November 12th and got married on the 18th.
I moved out of my parent's place on the 4th and now my wife and I are living together.
So that's our current situation and here's the list of questions I have:

Question 1: Do I (sponsor) need to change my address for government IDs etc.?
Question 2: My wife (principal applicant) did not get any stamps/documents on her passport on arrival to Canada, how can she provide proof of status in Canada? (supporting documents for sponsored persons checklist #1)
Question 3: For the proof of relationship to sponsor section, we have a rental agreement with both our names on it, joint BCHydro account, joint bank account and cellphone bills with both our names on it (the last checkbox for other documents showing both our names). Is this sufficient proof? A friend suggested I apply for some sort of insurance and add my wife as a beneficiary... Would this help our chances of acceptance? She does not have any Canadian government issued IDs with our current address as she is on a visitor's visa.
Question 4: I'm a bit confused for the last section on the checklist. It asks us to provide at least 2 of the following:
- important documents for you and your spouse showing that you are recognized as each other's spouse (such as employment or insurance benefits)
*Could someone give me some concrete examples of what these documents may be? I realize life insurance could be one of them, or extended spouse/family employee insurance benefits (which I don't have since I'm a temp)
- documentary evidence of financial support between you and your sponsor, and/or shared expenses.
*Again it'd be nice to have some concrete examples... Would a bank statement/transaction list of our joint account be acceptable? Utility bills? Groceries?
- other proof that your relationship is recognized by friends and/or family
*We have hand written letters from our friends and family and that's about it, as well as messages via instant messenger services. We don't use SNS and are reluctant to make one... Will the letters suffice?

Help will be greatly appreciated . Thanks everyone!

Congratulations on your marriage by the way!

1. Yes! Please make sure that your address is updated and matches for EVERYTHING you submit! If you submit proof with an address different than what you list on the application, it may cause problems.
2. If she was not given a stamp, she was granted the maximum stay of 6 months. If you want a piece of physical proof, you can order a travel history report on the CBSA (its free) for your wife and in about 30-40 days, they will process and mail out a list of all the times your wife entered Canada, including her most recent entry.
3. If you are in Ontario, she can actually go to a service Canada center and apply for a photo ID card even as a visitor as long as she has proof of entering Canada legally. So in this case, the travel history report would be beneficial. As long as what you listed above meets the requirements that's definitely enough proof for them to make a decision, but it doesn't hurt at all to include as much as possible.
4. For me and my husband, we decided to add these documents:

Important documents showing recognition as each others spouses:

• Employment insurance benefits with me listed as the beneficiary
• life insurance benefits that listed me as the beneficiary
• investment papers showing me as the beneficiary
• another document that come to mind that I didn't include specifically myself could be a Will where your spouse is the primary beneficiary

Documentary evidence of financial support between you and your sponsor, and/or shared expenses

• Copy of our internet bill that lists him as the account owner, but me and my credit card as the primary payment method
• Copy of our credit card statements that show I have a supplemental card on his credit account, and actually use it
• Paypal statements showing that he had been sending me money when I was in California finishing up my bachelors after we got married
• As you mentioned, you can also include proof that your have a joint bank account (we just recently found out we could set one up without me being a PR after being told otherwise by an ignorant teller who wanted to spend as little time as possible setting up accounts for us!), utility bills that have both of your names on them are excellent proof

Other proof that your relationship is recognized by friends and/or family

• The letters and instant messenger screen shots are a-OK. Just make sure that you limit the amount of messenger screen shots, and they have a good range of dates.
• If you use any kind of social media (I know you said you're reluctant to use it, but if you have used ANY in the past and still have access to, such as Facebook, twitter, or Instagram and have posted about each other where friends and family have interacted with those posts, screen shot them and include them as well. If you didn't have one already, don't worry about making and creating one. You could always include a letter stating that you two don't use social media if you absolutely feel like you're lacking in letters or other proof.
• If you have any photos of hanging out with friends as a couple, or family gathering events, feel free to include those here.
• You can also write letters yourselves, about your relationship and how its developed and have incorporated each other into your respective families and friends, and future aspirations that the two of you have for your future life in Canada, and include them here as well.
• EDIT: I forgot to mention, some other examples of proof you can include are photo copies of cards you received from friends/family addressed to the two of you. These can include wedding cards, anniversary cards, engagement cards, etc. as well as copies of your wedding invite if you have any, or screen shots of email conversations between family/friends where you announced your engagement/wedding.

I hope that this helps, and remember, you want to focus on quality rather than quantity when you submit proof. Some people have submitted just the basic minimum required documents and received PR with no problems, and others have sent in pounds and pounds of paper and their relationship was scrutinized because people assume the more "proof" you have the more genuine your relationship, but the immigration officer(s) processing your application don't care about how many times you said "I love you" in skype, because those kinda of things are easy to feign. They're looking to see that you guys are trying to combine your lives as much as possible, both socially and financially. Good luck!

 

[Minimini91]

Thanks for the answers guys!
We're both from BC so unfortunately my qife won't be able to make that Ontario ID .

If'm not submitting any BC IDs for myself (I don't think it was a requirement, it just asked for my citizenship card or birth certificate or Canadian passport IIRC), I don't need to go and change the addresses for the BC IDs do I?

Oh! Also, for the hand written letters from family/friends, do I need to get them translated by a professional or am I allowed to translate them myself? Some of the parts are written in Korean :S.

 

[Ceimi]

If your ID will contain an address different than what you will list on your application, or any of the proof that you will submit (i.e. if the address on your ID is different than your current permanent address, or the address you currently have a lease/own, etc) then you must get it updated! It can still be submitted in your application as proof of your current address so its always good to make sure your information is updated, even if you wont be submitting one for your wife. Plus if they ever ask you to submit more proof of your current address, a BC id card is excellent proof since its tied to your health card as well I believe.

As for the letters, you can translate them yourself, they don't need to be certified translated, but it may be a good idea to include a separate sheet of paper stating that the letters were translated by you, but if they would like you to get a certified translation you would be happy to provide them upon request! You could also ask your family/friends if they can do their best to write it in English, as long as its legible and understandable its fine if its slightly broken English.

 

[Minimini91]

Thank you so much!
I have a quick question about the new 2017 IMM1344E... If I understand correctly I (the sponsor) fill out the form and my wife (the principal applicant) signs at the bottom... What I don't understand is the co-signer part. The detailed guide tells me that if I'm sponsoring my wife/spouse I won't have a co-signer and should leave the entire co-signer section blank.

Problem is the stupid form won't let me validate if I leave the sections blank... Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

 

[Ceimi]

Is there a drop down menu for whether or not there is a co-signer? I can't remember off the top of my head but I don't believe I had a problem with validating and I don't have a co-signer either.