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New proof of relationship Tips (For outland/not living together)

Hellojoy

Newbie
Jul 19, 2016
3
0
Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum and was thinking of sharing some tips that might help you out with some confusion regarding the new sponsorship checklist.

Firstly, this information given may or may not be true but i got it from a sponsorship specialist at the Immigration & Sponsorship office.


1. Joint ownership of property/Rental Leases etc
2. Proof of joint utility accounts
3. Important documents showing the same address
4. Important documents recognized as each other's spouse
5. Document evidence of financial support between each other - what is this other than bank statements?
6. Other proof relationship is recognized by family/friends


Since most couples are applying Outland/not living together, it will be difficult to get documents listed above.

I was advised to provide a notary letter on both sides of our family stating that they recognize our relationship/marriage and have a paralegal witness (Needs stamp of approval from authority).
Mainly they just want to make sure that your relationship is genuine and they would ask for more documents if they have doubts.

For Document evidence of financial support, having a joint bank account/bank transfers receipts helps too.

Although they didn't state strictly that we have to provide 3 documents out of the 6 options, i feel that they would understand that some couples will have a hard time getting such documents and it isn't fair that our relationship would be deemed non genuine because of that.
Do feel free to share some tips here regarding the new sponsorship kit!
 

danawhitaker

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Aug 4, 2016
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Hellojoy said:
Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum and was thinking of sharing some tips that might help you out with some confusion regarding the new sponsorship checklist.

Firstly, this information given may or may not be true but i got it from a sponsorship specialist at the Immigration & Sponsorship office.


1. Joint ownership of property/Rental Leases etc
2. Proof of joint utility accounts
3. Important documents showing the same address
4. Important documents recognized as each other's spouse
5. Document evidence of financial support between each other - what is this other than bank statements?
6. Other proof relationship is recognized by family/friends


Since most couples are applying Outland/not living together, it will be difficult to get documents listed above.

I was advised to provide a notary letter on both sides of our family stating that they recognize our relationship/marriage and have a paralegal witness (Needs stamp of approval from authority).
Mainly they just want to make sure that your relationship is genuine and they would ask for more documents if they have doubts.

For Document evidence of financial support, having a joint bank account/bank transfers receipts helps too.

Although they didn't state strictly that we have to provide 3 documents out of the 6 options, i feel that they would understand that some couples will have a hard time getting such documents and it isn't fair that our relationship would be deemed non genuine because of that.
Do feel free to share some tips here regarding the new sponsorship kit!
For #5, my husband occasionally helps me with expenses. Usually we just use his credit card to pay those. So when we were sending our proof of relationship back in September, we copied his credit card statements and highlighted the things that were pertinent to our relationship (rent for my apartment here, my electric bill, stuff like that). We don't have any joint accounts together yet but these are things that would stand out because they're clearly helping support me, as he does not live in the U.S. and I don't live there. We've never had set transfers of money because it's simpler to just use his card and the amount of financial support I needed from month to month varied, sometimes being almost nothing and sometimes being more depending on various factors.
 

nightriderx

Full Member
Dec 4, 2016
43
1
Re: New proof of relationship Tips (For outland/not living together) IMM5533

Very Good Info !! This thread is about IMM5533 Point 7.
This documents is new 12-2016! I know many have questions about this

1. Joint ownership of property/Rental Leases etc
2. Proof of joint utility accounts
3. Important documents showing the same address
4. Important documents recognized as each other's spouse
5. Document evidence of financial support between each other - what is this other than bank statements?
6. Other proof relationship is recognized by family/friends

Personnaly my wife live with me and i don't have much proof
1 no lease together
2 utility accounts don't want 2 names on the bill
3 documents showing same adress? i don't have much.. maybe wedding docs
4 we don't have insurance together
5 I don't really do $ transfert over internet.. just pay bills
6 OK easy

I can only find 1 proof maybe 2...
I have like beauty product publicity with my wife and our adresse.. that it
 

mvm

Member
Dec 26, 2016
17
0
Hi All

I am new to this forum. I submitted my application last week.

For proof of relationship I provided the following in the application pack

Joint Bank accounts chequings and savings
Telus Mobility - Bill is in my husbands name but its a share plan and states both our names and numbers on the bill
Car Insurance - Again the letter is in my husbands name but I am a named driver on the insurance policy so we attached that.
Drivers Licence - both showing the same address in Canada.
Letters from 1 friend in Scotland and family member in Canada confirming public knowledge of relationship.
Extract from Facebook showing posts and comments over the last 6 month dwith both of us tagged in the posts.

I also attached Christmas cards and birthday cards from family and friends to both of us
Around 20 pictures showing us together, with friends and family etc.
Group Chat arranging a trip to Mexico with husband and his friends
Chat between my husband and I for the last 12 months i only attached 10 pages showing the continuing conversation.

The problem we potentially face in out application is that we didn't invite any of our family or friends to the marriage and they are unaware of our nuptials. Partly due to religious beliefs and both sets of parents want a religious church wedding but neither my husband or I are religious at all and wanted a civil marriage. We will have a gathering in a year or so when both families can be in Canada but again it will just be a party to celebrate our relationship and we wont be having any of the traditions like dress, rings etc.
 

nightriderx

Full Member
Dec 4, 2016
43
1
mvm said:
The problem we potentially face in out application is that we didn't invite any of our family or friends to the marriage and they are unaware of our nuptials. Partly due to religious beliefs and both sets of parents want a religious church wedding but neither my husband or I are religious at all and wanted a civil marriage. We will have a gathering in a year or so when both families can be in Canada but again it will just be a party to celebrate our relationship and we wont be having any of the traditions like dress, rings etc.
It's probably better to tell the truth and explain your story. At worst, they will ask for more proof ( This is only my opinion, not based on real fact )
 

mvm

Member
Dec 26, 2016
17
0
Hi Nightriderx

Many thanks for your response. I am just curious as to what additional proof would they want?

My husband and I haven't been to church since we were kids unless it is a wedding.

My husbands family are Lutheran and mum wants a religious church wedding.
My parents are christian and also want a religious church wedding.

We both know if we tell our families they will be upset we only have a civil marriage but its what both myself and my husband wanted.

I have told a few friends who all live in Scotland that we are married and we have their blessing

any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

CDNPR2014

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Mar 1, 2016
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i agree that the best course of action if it's not possible to supply the proof being requested is to write a letter of explanation as to why those items are not available. it makes sense that couples not living together are not always sharing utility bills, and there can be some restrictions on insurance plans. explaining why these things are not possible will go much further than just not submitting anything.

i would also recommend at least TRYING to obtain some of the required documents, so you can show them you have made the effort, and it's jut not a possibility due to external restrictions. depending on where you are located, it can be easy to get added to a utility bill, phone bill or listed as a beneficiary.
 

Screenager

Hero Member
May 25, 2012
655
159
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Here's what we plan on doing.

Cohabitation:
We live together in our family home (owned by principal applicants parent)..
So we prepared an Affidavit of Residence written by the principal applicant's parent confirming that we have been cohabiting at our specific address ever since we got married. We then had it notarised.

Sponsor is a citizen living outside canada with principal applicant. Married and have a child together who is already a canadian citizen.

Joint Utility:
We don't have any joint utility accounts (electricity or gas), so we plan on attaching our internet bill that has both our names and our address on it.

Joint finances:
-We just opened a joint bank account, but a fresh joint account does little for proving cohabitation or joint finances. We do however maintain our separate accounts at the same bank branch. We were sent welcome letters from this branch when we had opened our individual accounts here. These letters listed our address. We can also have the branch produce a "Account maintenance" letter for each of our accounts and we can request them to mention our address on the letter too.

-We also share the same 'locker/safe' at this bank branch for 2-3 years and have a letter of insurance of this locker/safe in the event some unforeseen incident happens at the branch. Our contents in the locker are insured to the tune of XYZ amount. We have a letter of this insurance that lists us both on it and also has our address.

Financial Support:
-Principal applicant routinely 'sends' Mobile credit to sponsor from his bank account app. This is shown in the Principal applicant's bank statement and the statement even lists sponsors mobile number.

-Principal applicant has made several deposits from his account to sponsor's account. This is also shown in the principal applicant's bank statement. Some deposit slips can also be produced from the past.

-Principal applicant's credit card company can also be asked to create a supplementary credit card for sponsor. Supplementary Credit cards are such that what ever is purchased through these cards, the main card is charged. We can then show statements of these cards.

Important Govt documents:
We plan on attaching
-Our govt issued ids having same address
-Our kid's birth certificate showing us as parents and listing our address
-Family Registration Doc showing us as parents of our child
-Sponsor's Certificate of Domicile listing our present address

Joint ownership of property:
- While we don't jointly own property but an offplan property of principal applicant's does list the sponsor as the "Nominee" in case of death of principal applicant. It also lists our relationship. A copy of this paper can be attached. It also lists our present address. The property is not yet in possession as its instalments haven't been completed as yet as per its payment plan. It is under development.

What other proofs can we add to this? specifically to demonstrate cohabitation.
(We are attaching enough for proof of genuineness of relationship like FB chat screenshots, Photos, Hotel bookings, passport entry /exit stamps that match) but we're not sure if we have covered everything to prove cohabitation.
 

nightriderx

Full Member
Dec 4, 2016
43
1
Checklist 5533 Question 7 Proof of Relationship to sponsor

it's says.
Important documents for you and your sponsor showing the same address, such as copies of goverment issued ID documents.

could it be wedding documents receive from gouverment?
 

eriasr

Star Member
Jan 14, 2017
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Med's Done....
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Hello I have the same question how can we met the 4 first questions while we don't live together?
 

wildemam

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Nov 10, 2015
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I went back Home twice. First got engaged and then I married my wife, and now collecting docs.

What I have include:

1- A huge pile of photos of Marriage and Engagement showing the two families at the two occasions, and a video film of the traditional ceremony.
2- Testaments by friends and family members about the ginuinity of the relationship.
3- National IDs have the same address. Hers have my name on it as husband.
4- Marriage certificate of course. My uncle and her uncle stated as witnesses.
5- Her Passport has my name and nationality on it.
6- Plan of settlement.

What I face is my low income as I am a graduate student. Also, most of transactions at my home country use cash and little proof can be obtained. She also do not have direct access to my bank accounts but rather my dad has the right to deal with it. Our apartment home is part of my father's building.

I plan on getting a honeymoon in the U.S. after I send the application, and then supply CIC with further proof of us together there.
 

eriasr

Star Member
Jan 14, 2017
192
5
Category........
Visa Office......
Rome
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
02-02-2017
Doc's Request.
05-03-2017
AOR Received.
05-03-2017
File Transfer...
14-03-2017
Med's Request
21-03-2017
Med's Done....
24-03-2017
Interview........
Not yet
Passport Req..
24-04-2017
VISA ISSUED...
Hopefully for 2 weeks
LANDED..........
SOON
Screenager said:
Here's what we plan on doing.

Cohabitation:
We live together in our family home (owned by principal applicants parent)..
So we prepared an Affidavit of Residence written by the principal applicant's parent confirming that we have been cohabiting at our specific address ever since we got married. We then had it notarised.

Sponsor is a citizen living outside canada with principal applicant. Married and have a child together who is already a canadian citizen.

Joint Utility:
We don't have any joint utility accounts (electricity or gas), so we plan on attaching our internet bill that has both our names and our address on it.

Joint finances:
-We just opened a joint bank account, but a fresh joint account does little for proving cohabitation or joint finances. We do however maintain our separate accounts at the same bank branch. We were sent welcome letters from this branch when we had opened our individual accounts here. These letters listed our address. We can also have the branch produce a "Account maintenance" letter for each of our accounts and we can request them to mention our address on the letter too.

-We also share the same 'locker/safe' at this bank branch for 2-3 years and have a letter of insurance of this locker/safe in the event some unforeseen incident happens at the branch. Our contents in the locker are insured to the tune of XYZ amount. We have a letter of this insurance that lists us both on it and also has our address.

Financial Support:
-Principal applicant routinely 'sends' Mobile credit to sponsor from his bank account app. This is shown in the Principal applicant's bank statement and the statement even lists sponsors mobile number.

-Principal applicant has made several deposits from his account to sponsor's account. This is also shown in the principal applicant's bank statement. Some deposit slips can also be produced from the past.

-Principal applicant's credit card company can also be asked to create a supplementary credit card for sponsor. Supplementary Credit cards are such that what ever is purchased through these cards, the main card is charged. We can then show statements of these cards.

Important Govt documents:
We plan on attaching
-Our govt issued ids having same address
-Our kid's birth certificate showing us as parents and listing our address
-Family Registration Doc showing us as parents of our child
-Sponsor's Certificate of Domicile listing our present address

Joint ownership of property:
- While we don't jointly own property but an offplan property of principal applicant's does list the sponsor as the "Nominee" in case of death of principal applicant. It also lists our relationship. A copy of this paper can be attached. It also lists our present address. The property is not yet in possession as its instalments haven't been completed as yet as per its payment plan. It is under development.

What other proofs can we add to this? specifically to demonstrate cohabitation.
(We are attaching enough for proof of genuineness of relationship like FB chat screenshots, Photos, Hotel bookings, passport entry /exit stamps that match) but we're not sure if we have covered everything to prove cohabitation.
this topic is not for those who are living together so please open a new topic about your case
 

CanadianZenGirl

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Jan 24, 2017
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App. Filed.......
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AOR Received.
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Med's Request
Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13-06-2017
VISA ISSUED...
21-06-2017
LANDED..........
23-06-2017
Forgive me if this isn't the right thread, but I have a question. How are the people who are sponsoring outland spouses getting joint bank accounts? I've been a customer of my bank for many years and they will not add my American husband to my account, nor will they let us open a new account together because he doesn't live in Canada. I thought we would have to wait until he became a resident.
 

CanadianZenGirl

Hero Member
Jan 24, 2017
364
91
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
29-12-2016
AOR Received.
17-01-2017
File Transfer...
10-03-2017
Med's Request
Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13-06-2017
VISA ISSUED...
21-06-2017
LANDED..........
23-06-2017
Thanks so much for the quick responses. :)
 

Hellojoy

Newbie
Jul 19, 2016
3
0
CanadianZenGirl said:
Forgive me if this isn't the right thread, but I have a question. How are the people who are sponsoring outland spouses getting joint bank accounts? I've been a customer of my bank for many years and they will not add my American husband to my account, nor will they let us open a new account together because he doesn't live in Canada. I thought we would have to wait until he became a resident.

Which bank are you with? If I'm not wrong, BMO allows you to add your husband to your account. My spouse went to the bank to ask about it and they told him that I had to be there personally to be added on. But I'm just wondering if they meant Canadians only or foreigners are allowed as well. You can try calling them up and enquiry, no harm asking I guess.