Phew! Finally sent it off :)

[BCgirl2012]

OK, I finally sent our application out, 10 minutes before the cut-off time for the day. 6lbs of paper, for the grand total of 71.55CAD. I used Purolator, with the guaranteed delivery of Monday 10:30AM . The package is going from inland BC to CPC-M.

So the waiting game begins now. Reading the forums, I am now gonna be dreading everyday for a package in the mail! As much as I felt attached to the package that I sent off today(three months of work!), I really don't want to see it again I just want my hubby to come home as soon as possible!

I am also attaching a few pictures of our file. I decided not to use any folders or staples. The only staples and ribbons where the ones on official documents with seals. I just left those as they are.

I put the forms and supporting documents as with the exact order of the checklist, and put a rubber band around everything. Not very stylish, I know, but I figured it keeps everything secured and it is really easy to take off.
Also, I put all of the relationship documents in appendices, and tied them with a second rubber band. Fingers crossed!!

Good luck to everyone! This waiting game is really tough. Let's hang in there.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Re: Phew! Fianally sent it off

OK, I finally sent our application out...

Congratulations! You're application looks nice Good luck!

 

[mobeyk]

Mine was 13 pounds and did not fit in one of these bags, so i put the documents in 2 bags and tied the bags together with packaging tape. Good luck on your journey.

 

[Rusty53]

I am just starting the process. I am amazed at how much paper is included in your submission. Can you give me a quick breakdown of what it consists of.

 

[ihabkal]

it is mainly e-mails upon e-mails and chats upon chats.
something to keep the officers busy for a looong time so they won't have time for other applicants.
waiting since 2006!

 

[BCgirl2012]

Thanks OhCanadiana, and mobeyk

mobeyk, wow! 13 pounds I worked for two weeks to get the volume down, but at the end, this was the best I could do.

Rusty53, it really depends on what you are documenting for the VO, and it depends on your relationship. From my understanding, they want to see the relationship is continuing and genuine, and that the couple have interdependency. I'd guess if a couple have been living together for a few years, they will have different means of showing their genuineness in their day to day lives.

For us, we live on the opposite sides of the globe, so our main means of communication when we are apart, is email, chat, txt message, and video calls. Since we haven't lived together in one country, and we have had mostly visits (sometimes a few months long, but still different than moving to a different country) then to show those 3 key points, we have to refer to our conversations, and frankly, I prefer to provide enough to make sure I am providing the full picture to VO.
I wouldn't just provide a printout of all communications aimlessly, as I wouldn't expect them to read that, but I have provided a roadmap of how the relationship developed and how it functions, and while doing so, I am referring to the samples of what I am talking about. It took us a long time and a lot of work to organize this, and to write the text.

We are also providing our photos (all embedded in a document, numbered and captioned) and samples of greeting cards and also boarding passes and entry stamps.

Good luck with putting your application together. It's a long journey, but we enjoyed doing so, as it was as if we were documenting our relationship.
Just remember, every relationship is different and thus, we need to come up with the proper way to present the relationship accordingly.

 

[Habibti]

Just want to say Hi as I am in BC like you and congratulations for your hard work! I am sure it will pay off! In which country is your husband? All the best!

 

[ihabkal]

hard work rarely pays off especially in immigration procedures.

 

[BCgirl2012]

Thanks, Habibti for your kind and encouraging words!
He is in Georgia now. All the best to you, too!

 

[Habibti]

hard work rarely pays off especially in immigration procedures.

Perhaps, but if I had done the same work as BCgirl, my husband's visa would not have been denied. Our immigration lawyer looked at our application and she said she could have done a better job. The way we presented our application did not play in our favor (it is one of the factors that did not help our cause she said). The evidences attached to our application were not enough... BCgirl: you should start a business lol Organization seems to be your great talent and I love the way you explained how you presented your application.

 

[ihabkal]

you know I agree with you. with more experience you have a better chance now. I made the mistake of telling immigration that Lebanon is not secure and I need to bring my kids to safety, they denied me, I applied again and showed them documents proving that Canada needs my talents, they gave me a work permit.
it is how you present your case 100%.
Still my first application was more work and had real feeligns in it.
bottom line telling them you need me is better than I need you.

 

[missmini]

you know I agree with you. with more experience you have a better chance now. I made the mistake of telling immigration that Lebanon is not secure and I need to bring my kids to safety, they denied me, I applied again and showed them documents proving that Canada needs my talents, they gave me a work permit.
it is how you present your case 100%.
Still my first application was more work and had real feeligns in it.
bottom line telling them you need me is better than I need you.

that's true, ur last line especially!! u always need to find a balance between those 2 and many other aspects;
as for ur other comment, don't worry, i don't think her application will take more time than others just cuz she sent more; any officer can disregard the proofs (read just one chat not 100; look only at 5 pictures not 20, etc)...but in these situations it's better to put more than less just in case i know ppl who sent huuge packages and they were approved fast it does not mean the officers read all - they might or not; there r also ppl who could send a lot but still not convincing....all the time it's case by case

Habibti, i'm sorry but don't listen to them a lot!!! of course she will tell u like that, she needs to b hired i hope ur preparation for appeal goes well!! good luck!!

anyway BCgirl i love ur package it's very neat!!!! it reminds me of our own good luck!!!!

 

[ihabkal]

I was have kidding sarcastically when I said that, I know they only take a general look at the papers it takes them 2 minutes or five at most. I would do the same if I was applying.
For my case I kinda lost hope in the sytem some time ago.

 

[Rusty53]

Thanks OhCanadiana, and mobeyk

mobeyk, wow! 13 pounds I worked for two weeks to get the volume down, but at the end, this was the best I could do.

Rusty53, it really depends on what you are documenting for the VO, and it depends on your relationship. From my understanding, they want to see the relationship is continuing and genuine, and that the couple have interdependency. I'd guess if a couple have been living together for a few years, they will have different means of showing their genuineness in their day to day lives.

For us, we live on the opposite sides of the globe, so our main means of communication when we are apart, is email, chat, txt message, and video calls. Since we haven't lived together in one country, and we have had mostly visits (sometimes a few months long, but still different than moving to a different country) then to show those 3 key points, we have to refer to our conversations, and frankly, I prefer to provide enough to make sure I am providing the full picture to VO.
I wouldn't just provide a printout of all communications aimlessly, as I wouldn't expect them to read that, but I have provided a roadmap of how the relationship developed and how it functions, and while doing so, I am referring to the samples of what I am talking about. It took us a long time and a lot of work to organize this, and to write the text.

We are also providing our photos (all embedded in a document, numbered and captioned) and samples of greeting cards and also boarding passes and entry stamps.

Good luck with putting your application together. It's a long journey, but we enjoyed doing so, as it was as if we were documenting our relationship.
Just remember, every relationship is different and thus, we need to come up with the proper way to present the relationship accordingly.

Thank you. We have been dating at a distance for just over two years, a half a world apart as well. We will be marrying shortly and then applying. I have kept a Skype log as well as most emails and a text log. I have kept receipts from my trips to see my fiancee but have thrown away boarding passes. We will be using all of these plus all we can get together from our wedding. It will be small but genuine. Wish me luck.