Proof of relationship

[ski]

Hello everyone,

I became a PR last November and am going to begin the process of sponsoring my wife who has been in Canada for 6 years as an international student. We got married 2 months back. I have done a lot of reading on spousal sponsorship and proof of relationship. So I'll list a few questions:

1. She in a citizen of a central Asian country but we were married in Canada. Can we submit an application in her home country as I have read it is faster (at least the sponsor)?

About proof of relationship - here's the tricky part.
2. We have been living together for 4 months. The lease has been in my name but the same address has been in her bank records and also in her CIC account when she had to renew her study permit. We are planning to move to another apartment and this time we will co-sign the lease.
3. Additionally, we will be having a joint account and soon some joint investments. As proof of income, I have had a full-time job in Canada for 3 years and will start a better one soon.
4. Our last tax filing for 2014 was done separately but we have updated our status with CRA and recorded each other as spouses.
5. Our marriage was a quiet civil one with only a few friends. So there are some photographs from it. We have't gone on a vacation yet as she is still completing her studies. Most of our communication is through texts. My mobile records show almost 90% of my texts are with her for the past 4 months. Other than this, there are no letters or emails.

Could anyone comment whether 2,3 and 4 are sufficient proof of relationship or we need detailed communication? I have seen posters having application packages a few inches thick with all the communication back and forth. But since our relationship started in Canada and our wedding was in Canada, do we need a lot of proof besides the ones stated above?

Thanks in advance,
SKI

 

[SchnookoLoly]

You can submit an outland application, make sure you fill out the OUTLAND forms, and not the inland forms. Select the package for "the person to be sponsored lives outside of Canada" - that's the package you want. Yes it's the right package, even though she's technically in Canada. But it's the right package.

Proof of relationship - honestly, you can't provide what you don't have, so all you can do is provide what you do have. She will also write a "story" that explains and walks through how your met, how your relationship developed, about your marriage and your life together, etc. I think it would be goo dif you can provide a *bit* more proof of your combined affairs... having the joint account and investments will be good to include in your application. You can also have a will drawn up that lists each other as beneficiaries / power of attorney / whatever. Wills are great evidence. Do you have any medical or dental benefits through your employer? If so, make sure your wife is recorded as your family member, that's also good proof to include. Do you have any other type of insurance policy - house, renters, car, life, etc? If so, you should both be listed on the policy information. All that kind of stuff helps.

Hope that helps answer your questions!

 

[ski]

Thanks. The will, power of attorney and life insurance are good suggestions. My wife is already listed as my dependent on my health spending account. And she will also be added in my medical benefits in my new job.

Thank again!

 

[Ponga]

When does your wife's status in Canada expire?

Have you confirmed that she is eligible [now] to even be added to your medical coverage?

 

[ski]

When does your wife's status in Canada expire?

Have you confirmed that she is eligible [now] to even be added to your medical coverage?

She has been added as my dependent in my medical coverage. My current employer didn't ask for any details for eligibility.

Her status as international student is until November this year. She will finish her program by September after which she will apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit.