Organization of application+where to put all additional doc. info?

[thaihubbie]

I can't seem to find the answer to my question in the archives. Where do I put all all various additional information and documents? Should extra info. such as plane ticket stubs, phone bills etc. be paper clipped to one of the sections of the application in particular? or should I create my own separate section?
For example, The letter of support from my parents saying my family can live with them once we re-locate to Canada? Should this be paper clipped to IMM5540 or should I create a separate section titled supplementary information? In addition, all letters of support from other family members, friends, my local priest, MP etc. Should this be paper clipped to IMM5540?

 

[CharlieD10]

I've seen where others have organized their files into 3 parts: sponsors forms, applicant's forms, supporting information/documents. They also indexed their supporting information to make it easy to find specific items.

 

[thaihubbie]

So is it optional where I put things in the application? For example, letters of support from family and friends. It doesn't even ask for that anywhere in the application does it but everyone seems to be doing it. It seems like it should be paper-clipped to IMM5540 because it's showing real intention to re-establish oneself in Canada.

 

[BeShoo]

A lot of people arrange the information and documents in the order that they appear in the checklist. Put them in whatever order you think is logical. Maybe include a table of contents if you think it will help the officer find everything. In the end it doesn't matter much what order you put it in, because they are free to rearrange them into whatever order works for them.

Smaller bits of paper like receipts and photographs for proof of relationship probably need to be grouped together and contained so they don't get lost. In our case, we photocopied all of our small receipts onto 8.5 x 11" or 11 x 17" paper and we are sending in the photocopies.

 

[rjessome]

A lot of people arrange the information and documents in the order that they appear in the checklist. Put them in whatever order you think is logical. Maybe include a table of contents if you think it will help the officer find everything. In the end it doesn't matter much what order you put it in, because they are free to rearrange them into whatever order works for them.

Smaller bits of paper like receipts and photographs for proof of relationship probably need to be grouped together and contained so they don't get lost. In our case, we photocopied all of our small receipts onto 8.5 x 11" or 11 x 17" paper and we are sending in the photocopies.

This is excellent advice. Use the order of the checklists and only send photocopies unless originals are requested. So receipts, boarding passes, cards, letters and small stuff should be photocopied. Pictures should be loose and included as part of your "proof" or photocopied/printed on to regular paper. Don't use staples or bind anything. Paperclips and elastic bands are the way to go.

 

[canadianwoman]

Put all your supporting documents in some reasonable order, then number the pages or put tabs on different sections, then put a table of contents at the front. Then when you write answer to "Describe your marriage ceremony", for example, you can include references to the pages or tabs where evidence for the marriage ceremony is.
So then when you write the outline of your relationship, or the additional details about your relationship mini-essay, you can reference everything.
Possible example:
"I met Bob on December 6, 2007. We were introduced by my good friend Alice Long at a party at her house. (See page 89, a photo of the three of us at the party; page 102, an affidavit from Alice describing the event; page 19, an email I sent my mother telling her about this wonderful guy I met.) We got along well and started going out together. (See pages 43 - 45, receipts from restaurants we went to together; pages 90 - 99, photos of us on dates during this period.) And blah blah blah.

 

[thaihubbie]

Re: Organization of application+where to put all dditional doc. info?

This is great advice. It's getting down to the crunch time for us. This is maybe a stupid question but if I spend the money to buy separate clear plastic folders so that one folder is Section A Sponsorship documents, then Section B Permanent Residency are in another folder another, then Section C in another one, then have the last one labeled supporting documents i.e. photocopies of airplane stubs, phone bills, letters of support from family and friends etc etc. Everything that is NOT on the document check list. So they are things that I believe support our case. n So that would make 4 separate folders, then a clear plastic envelope to hold all photos Does this sound ok?

 

[pisces17]

Re: Organization of application+where to put all dditional doc. info?

Hi thaihubbie, I used a total of 6 poly envelopes. I followed the checklist as well to organize everything.
Envelope # 1 - Sponsor (forms and supporting documents - i.e. copy of passport, citizenship, etc...)
Envelope # 2 - Sponsored/Principal Applicant (forms and supporting documents - i.e copy of passport, birth certificate, etc..).
Envelopes # 3, 4 and 5 - Supporting Documents of both the Sponsor & Principal Applicant - in these folders, I created sub-sections, Chapter 1: communication, Chapter 2: Travel, Chapter 3... etc... - I submitted all supporting documents I could find that's why I ended up using 3 poly envelopes for our supporting documents
Envelope # 6 - Photographs. I also created sub-sections, i.e wedding pictures, travel, etc...
I hope this helps.