Proof of relationship question

[JamesinCanada]

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend (US citizen) and I (Canadian citizen) are talking about getting married and her applying for Canadian permanent residency through the Family Class sponsorship. We met online, and although I've visited her once and she's coming here for a long visit in the summer, most of our proof of relationship is in the form of online chats. When we begin the PR process, we plan to use a lot of screenshots from Skype and Google Chat conversations as proof of relationship.

My question is: since she's the one applying for PR, she'll be sending in these proofs. When we first met, though, it was through an anonymous forum (we built a friendship before we started dating), so our skype chats from her perspective don't include my real name. So we thought about using the chats from my point of view. Is that allowed? She's the one who has to send in the application, so does it all have to be from her perspective? Or does it not matter as long as we provide the chats?

Also, how many online chats would be considered acceptable evidence? We have lots - I just want to be sure we send enough. Is it about number, or contents?

 

[steerpike]

I would say its a lot more about "content" than "number". I really doubt any VO is going to read a hundreds pages of chatlogs.

Personally, we didnt send in any chat logs at all. And no extra pages describing the relationship, how we met, etc. I just wrote like once sentance on the form in the space provided. (and we have lots of red flags too like big age difference, short courtship, etc)

But sure, include a few chat logs, and write the "essay" many people do describing how you met and all that. Other things that are important will be, if possible, have both sets of parents attend your wedding. Takes lots of photos of the wedding, honeymoon and any vacations you have been on together. And also have a good plan that you can articulate about what your wife is going to do in Canada, so they can be sure she is moving her permanently.

 

[keesio]

As steerpike mentioned, it is content/quality over quantity. I was in a long distance relationship with my wife. We used skype and other related software but I maybe just sent in one page of skype call records. I think people over do it with sending in all this skype and text message logs. What would be more helpful is if you wait until after her long visit to marry. Right now you only met her once it seems. Unless that one visit was long (like months), you need to spend more time with her in person before getting married. If you do that, then you should be good.

 

[JamesinCanada]

Thank you both for your replies! They are really helpful to us.

To give a little more information: We met online last May, began dating in August. We've talked over video multiple times a week since then. I went to the States to visit her for a week in March. She's coming here in July with the plan to stay if things continue to work out. We would want to get married in December and apply for her to be allowed to extend her visit before she has to leave in January. We'd start the PR process shortly after this.

Is that still too short a timeframe? Would it be wise to get married in December but then wait to apply for PR? I just want to make sure we're fairly perceived by immigration services.

 

[keesio]

Thank you both for your replies! They are really helpful to us.

To give a little more information: We met online last May, began dating in August. We've talked over video multiple times a week since then. I went to the States to visit her for a week in March. She's coming here in July with the plan to stay if things continue to work out. We would want to get married in December and apply for her to be allowed to extend her visit before she has to leave in January. We'd start the PR process shortly after this.

Is that still too short a timeframe? Would it be wise to get married in December but then wait to apply for PR? I just want to make sure we're fairly perceived by immigration services.

The timeframe sounds good. Especially since you will be together from July-December before applying. So that would be plenty of time spent physically together before getting married. And you will have been dating for a total over a year and a half. CIC gives a lot of leeway to Canadian/American couples so I think your plan will work fine.

 

[steerpike]

That sounds like a similiar plan to what my wife and I did. She came to live with me in feb and we got married in june. But she is from a non-visa exempt country, so it theoretically should be easier for you guys.

The only other thing i can recommend is meet her relatives, and have her meet your relatives. And record when those meetings happened because CIC asks that on the form.

 

[JamesinCanada]

Thank you both so much, again! This is a really confusing process, so any advice is really helpful. Thanks for helping to clear it up!

 

[keesio]

It sounds like you are planning an inland application. Note that most Americans prefer outland. So you may want to think about that.

See my post here (and QuebecOkie's post below mine in the thread) for some more perspective:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/volunteering-t190910.0.html;msg2989895#msg2989895

Good luck!