Question about interpretation of inter-religion marriage and interview

[happyenium]

Hi
I am from Canada, and my wife is from India. I recently sent our full application package this week. Now when I happen to read various threads about the interviews, I feel that I should have included more information in our application.

For example, almost all my family members were Hindus, except me as I was a converted Christian. Many of my family members have Hindu names.

I didn't think about explaining this part.

Our marriage happened in Church though according to the rituals of Christianity. We have submitted all other evidence including many marriage and reception photos, photos with our family members, chat log, phone history etc).

Question 1:
Does visa officer get doubt that it is a inter-religion marriage (which is not, as my wife and I are Christians, but only many of our family members), and raise questions about the genuine-ity of the marriage? I heard inter-caste or inter-religion marriages may raise doubts about the genuine-ity.


Question 2:
If we are called for the interview, how soon we will know? Can I accompany my wife to her interview?

Question 3:
Or better yet, is it a good idea that once we receive the file number, that we explain about more of the spiritual position of our family members on a separate sheet of paper/letter, and send that letter to CIC?

Please share your thoughts my friends.
Thank you.

 

[Aquakitty]

It really depends on each situation. For instance, a Christian sponsor marrying a Muslim from a 3rd world country would be far more suspicious than a Christian Indian-Canadian marrying a Christian Indian. If she was Hindu it might raise a red flag.

It seems like you went through all the customs of a Christian, so I don't see it being a huge red flag in your case.

It probably would have been a good idea to mention the situation though, but now you just need to wait it out.

 

[happyenium]

Thank you for your input.
I do have all our other documentation well organized and complete (certificates from both our churches, Marriage certificate from the Registrar, chat log etc). My only concern is that if there is an interview, that it should not delay the process by many months.

Question 2:
If we are called for the interview, how soon we will know? Can I accompany my wife to her interview?

Question 3:
Or better yet, is it a good idea that once we receive the file number, that we explain about more of the spiritual position of our family members on a separate sheet of paper/letter, and send that letter to CIC?

 

[Shineon39]

It really depends on each situation. For instance, a Christian sponsor marrying a Muslim from a 3rd world country would be far more suspicious than a Christian Indian-Canadian marrying a Christian Indian. If she was Hindu it might raise a red flag

Make me worrie a bit! My wife is buddhist and i'm catholic and we had traditional buddhist ceremonie. We mentioned it in our application but just a little sentence saying that i'm non-pratiquant catholic and i choosed to follow the believing of my wife because its important for her and her family's.

 

[Alidykeman]

Thank you for your input.
I do have all our other documentation well organized and complete (certificates from both our churches, Marriage certificate from the Registrar, chat log etc). My only concern is that if there is an interview, that it should not delay the process by many months.

Question 2:
If we are called for the interview, how soon we will know? Can I accompany my wife to her interview?

Question 3:
Or better yet, is it a good idea that once we receive the file number, that we explain about more of the spiritual position of our family members on a separate sheet of paper/letter, and send that letter to CIC?


In your case, since u have formal ceremony (Chruch wedding), not a red a flag.

In our case, although we didn't submit yet our application. I'm Muslim from Philippines and my husband a Canadian , ours civil wedding. There's no formal ceremony, I just explain , coz I'm Muslim no Chruch and my husband atheist no Muslim wedding either ,unless he convert but don't want to force him to do that, we do talk and discuss our belief but we do respect each other opinion. I just explain its not a problem between us. It's the person regardless of religion.

It might took months to get notice if there is interview , and u can go with ur wife , much better tho as long as u both answer same and consistent,

Just prob wait tho

 

[ImABule]

Make me worrie a bit! My wife is buddhist and i'm catholic and we had traditional buddhist ceremonie. We mentioned it in our application but just a little sentence saying that i'm non-pratiquant catholic and i choosed to follow the believing of my wife because its important for her and her family's.

I didn't have a religion and my wife is Muslim but doesn't practice. Her family is very religious. I converted which also meant having to get cut to marry my wife as inter-faith marriage is illegal in Indonesia. We had an Islamic wedding (Nikah). We explained that in our application saying that neither of us are religious but I made those sacrifices to please her family opposed to marrying outside Indonesia. I think in my case it actually helps the situation. Similarly you having the Buddhist ceremony because of your wife's families wishes I think will reflect well on your application as well.

 

[happyenium]

In our case, although we didn't submit yet our application. I'm Muslim from Philippines and my husband a Canadian , ours civil wedding. There's no formal ceremony, I just explain , coz I'm Muslim no Chruch and my husband atheist no Muslim wedding either ,unless he convert but don't want to force him to do that, we do talk and discuss our belief but we do respect each other opinion. I just explain its not a problem between us. It's the person regardless of religion.

It might took months to get notice if there is interview , and u can go with ur wife , much better tho as long as u both answer same and consistent,

Just prob wait tho

Thank you friend for your comment. I am hoping they don't call for interview, as it might create unnecessary panic for my wife, and unnecessary delays. I hope that the documentation we submitted gives them enough clear evidence that ours is a genuine relationship.

Question 3 again:
Is it a good idea that once we receive the file number, that we explain about more of the spiritual position of our family members on a separate sheet of paper/letter, and send that letter to CIC?

Question 4:
If there is an interview, how long the process is going to be delayed (New Delhi office)?

Good day.

 

[mikeymyke]

If an interview is scheduled, it might delay anywhere from 3 months to a year, I don't know what the typical wait time for an interview for NDVO is however, so you may want to check out the NDVO thread to see what the wait times are over there. However, the worst part is if they refuse your wife during the interview. That alone, will cause almost a year of delay for the appeal. The goal here is to avoid the interview in the first place, not to prepare for it coming, as even genuine couples might find themselves getting refused if the interviewer somehow has a bad day, or your spouse has one minor slip up that the interviewer seizes on.

 

[happydayagain]

Religion should never be an issue in and of itself and should not impact on assessment.
Whats important is the marriage genuine if so then move to next step in processing.
A marriage made in good faith that is legal from Canadas perspective is all that matters.

 

[mikeymyke]

Religion should never be an issue in and of itself and should not impact on assessment.
Whats important is the marriage genuine if so then move to next step in processing.
A marriage made in good faith that is legal from Canadas perspective is all that matters.

That's not entirely true. It all depends on the applicant's country of origin. If where the applicant is from, that in their culture its important for both partners to have the same religion (such as Muslim countries), then CIC might suspect a non genuine marriage if both spouses have different religion.

A marriage that is legal isn't the most important thing, as even a non genuine marriage can still be a legal one. By far the most important factor is the overall relationship profile. Despite different religion in a country where it's not considered socially acceptable, does the couple at least not have many red flags in their relationship? If not, then the couple has a good chance of being approved.