Presentation (Aesthetics) of your Application *Tips, Advice, Comments, Ideas*

[ACS]

I have 99% of it finished, and in another thread here I commented that it's in a small 3 ring binder, and was told they don't like this. ???

I have a nice cover page, and each section inside different clear holders, with dividers.

Titles, with extra pictures that didn't fit in the pictures section on the cover of each divider with a little note/explanation with dates and names, etc.

What other recommendations do you all have?? Positive or Faux-Pas?

As far as pictures, since we have been together for over 7 years, and know most of each other families and have traveled and lived all around the world, we have a billion...so I've printed most of them collage style on regular paper with titles and info coinciding. Is this ok?

Can we all come together and post Tips, Advice, Comments, Ideas on how you've put your Application together? What worked and didn't work?

Or even, how important IS the actual appearance of your Application?

Looking forward to all comments!

 

[Nevaeha]

Check this thread out:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/how-i-organized-our-applcation-and-a-summary-of-all-helpful-tips-i-have-learned-t92449.0.html

 

[Sweden]

Keep in mind one thing: when it comes to Mississauga, it will be re-arrange, and all the fancy dividers/folders etc will be thrown away.

So : keep it simple. Follow the checklist, and put everything in that order.

Get rid of the clear folders, dividers etc. Don't use staples as much as possible, and use paperclips if you really have to keep some things together.

Since it will be taken apart when it arrives in Mississauga, you might as well make it easier on them. If your application is too "fancy" it just takes more time to put it in the order CIC wants it. It won't affect your application ( they won't refuse and return it because you have dividers), it's just more work from your side, and more work from theirs - a bit of a waste if you ask me.

For the pictures: focus on quality rather than quantity! unless you have a very good reason (difficult case where you need to prove that you are in a genuine relationship etc), 20 to 30 pictures should be more than enough.

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[amikety]

I do know of one person that used a 3 ring binder for the application. He was convinced it was the best method ever. He used the page protectors and had every single piece of paper in its own protector. (That must have been expensive... ) I do not know how that worked out for him...although I'm sure his house was very well organized and spotless too.

Your pictures sound fine. Keeping them together like that can even help the IO with your timeline. To add on what Sweden wrote - with a marriage already lasting 7 years, you don't need to submit as much proof as someone who got married recently. You will want to focus on pictures from the wedding, engagement (if any), birth of any children, and include a few from each year - preferably family reunions or trips. My own personal rule was - if I say it happened, have proof. Each trip I listed had 1 picture attached to it. I didn't bother to "prove" the picture was where it was taken, by a landmark, etc. I was more concerned about finding a picture of myself, my husband, and at least 1 member of his family. (I would also include a receipt and/or plane ticket for proof if available.)

That is, unless you're from a culture/religion that places special consideration on life events. If you are Hindu and had a traditional Hindu wedding (for example), you would want to include several pictues with both sets of parents from each part of the wedding.

PS: I used metallic pink and purple paperclips in my app. I kinda hope the IO swiped them instead of throwing them in the trash...... lol!

 

[scos]

I separated my app into 3 parts.

Part 1: In the first I put all the sponsor side of the application and associated proofs. All were on 8.5 x 11 paper in sequence of the checklist and a checklist of my own preceding their check list that included their checklist, the forms, and a description of the proofs, how many pages, etc. All these pages were in proper sequence then put into the first envelope which was labelled as the sponsor side of the application. I used no staples, paper clips or dividers.

Part 2: In the second envelope labelled as the application I put the country-specific checklist and all the forms and proofs in that sequence. Then I preceded that with my own checklist which also listed proofs and how many pages of each, etc in the same way as the sponsor section. All of this was again placed in the proper sequence in the second envelope with no paper clips, staples, etc.

Part 3: This envelope was for all other proofs that were not in a neat 8.5x11 format. I placed photos in a small envelope, each one numbered and included an index (so I didn't have to write a lot on each picture). Other receipts, stubs and other odd sized forms were included loose. Finally I created another checklist outlining all the items in the envelope and labelled the outside of the envelope as additional supporting documents.

Finally I created one summary sheet outlining the 3 envelopes and the documents included in each one (was one page). Then put the whole thing in a large plastic mailer. Then addressed that to the courier address and had it sent.

Apart from a few envelopes and the mailer, there was no need for any other office supplies. If you looked at each part outside of the envelopes they were just stacks of paper. I decided on this arrangement by thinking of how I would process it if I was receiving it. So this way there was no fiddling with "packaging" to be done.

 

[canadianwoman]

I have 99% of it finished, and in another thread here I commented that it's in a small 3 ring binder, and was told they don't like this. ???

They will just take everything out of the binder and throw the binder away. Don't bother using it. As a side note, I personally do not see why they don't want binders, folders, tabs, etc., because these certainly make the application easier to read. However, they don't want them.

I have a nice cover page, and each section inside different clear holders, with dividers.

The cover page is fine. The clear holders and dividers are not necessary (see above).

Titles, with extra pictures that didn't fit in the pictures section on the cover of each divider with a little note/explanation with dates and names, etc.

They might keep these, since they have things written on them.

The best thing to do is just put all the forms in the order they are asked for in the checklists. Then at the back put all the supporting documents. A cover letter or list of contents is a good idea. And numbering the pages is a good idea. People do order things in different ways, but I would put all the supporting documents in some reasonable order after the forms, have a cover sheet with a list of contents for the supporting documents, and number all the pages of the supporting documents.
Some forum members have printed labels with the sponsor and applicant's names, dates of birth, and file number, and put one at the top of every page of the supporting documents. Maybe overkill, but on the other hand, did you see the photo of the visa office someone posted recently?!! I wouldn't be surprised if things got lost in there. Photo is in this thread: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/this-picture-deserves-its-own-thread-t149676.0.html

As far as pictures, since we have been together for over 7 years, and know most of each other families and have traveled and lived all around the world, we have a billion...so I've printed most of them collage style on regular paper with titles and info coinciding. Is this ok?

Yes.

Or even, how important IS the actual appearance of your Application?

Try to make it well-organized and easy to find things - for example, with a cover page with a list of contents. That is about the best you can do.

 

[Steph C]

Some forum members have printed labels with the sponsor and applicant's names, dates of birth, and file number, and put one at the top of every page of the supporting documents. Maybe overkill, but on the other hand, did you see the photo of the visa office someone posted recently?!! I wouldn't be surprised if things got lost in there.Yes.Try to make it well-organized and easy to find things - for example, with a cover page with a list of contents. That is about the best you can do.

Speaking of that. I wonder what would happen if you printed your application on a light green or yellow paper. It sure would stand out amongst all the papers!

 

[Steph C]

 

[scos]

Speaking of that. I wonder what would happen if you printed your application on a light green or yellow paper. It sure would stand out amongst all the papers!

They might not like that. You know how the government is with blue ink instead of black...

 

[blueboom]

As a side note, I personally do not see why they don't want binders, folders, tabs, etc., because these certainly make the application easier to read.

Given the volume they deal with, it's probably not feasible to transport or store applications in binders. The excess paper from folders and tabs probably makes a big difference once you put 1,000 applications together.

 

[ACS]

Thanks everyone for all the great comments!! Really helpful!

What would be the #1 recommendation to put everything in then? Just the papers all loose in an envelope? A different labeled envelope for every section? Or everything just all together in 1 big envelope?

I just want some way to make it easier to separate the and make it more "user friendly" to go through.....

 

[scos]

Thanks everyone for all the great comments!! Really helpful!

What would be the #1 recommendation to put everything in then? Just the papers all loose in an envelope? A different labeled envelope for every section? Or everything just all together in 1 big envelope?

I just want some way to make it easier to separate the and make it more "user friendly" to go through.....

Let the checklists be your main guide in formatting. That is what they will use.

 

[Sweden]

Indeed - use the check list, and if you want, use 1 envelope for everything belonging to sponsor, 1 for applicant, and 1 for proofs of relationship etc.

Or - just make 3 piles for yourself (with the checklist on top of it everytime to make sure that you don't forget anything), then stack them neatly on top of each other, and put everything in one big envelope!
Good luck,
Sweden