Representing my spouse?

[AtribecalledQ]

Hello all!

So I've had this lingering question over my head for months now. I've been working on me and my wife's application and I've been doing most of the work since I pretty own all the evidence we have (i.e wedding photos and remittance slips) and the fact that she does not own a computer nor is she particularly good at using them. So to me it only made sense that I did most of the application myself, my wife did her questionnaire and i also helped her answer some of the questions as her english is not super fluent which begs the question, would i be considered a representative of hers?

For example a question that asks about our wedding and to include any photos, I put all of our photo's together in one document and reference any of them to questions that were asked in the questionnaire. I'm the one who wrote all the captions so its obvious that it wasn't her who did it, is that okay? I mean it doesn't make much sense if I can't help my wife with this. Also would that mean I would have to fill out the "Use of a Representative form" (IMM 5476)?

Thanks much guys!! 8)

 

[kerryannbailey]

No you don't need to fill in the Use of Representative form. My husband is sponsoring me and I was the one who did the entire application packet. That form is reserved for if you use a lawyer or a third party representative (sometimes for a fee) to handle the entire immigration process on your behalf. So if you were to fill out that form you would essentially be saying you're representing your case - which the same would be implied if you were to not fill out that form. You'rere the sponsor so of course you would have already known all of the information that needs to be filed in any way.

 

[Awesomeg]

Hello all!

So I've had this lingering question over my head for months now. I've been working on me and my wife's application and I've been doing most of the work since I pretty own all the evidence we have (i.e wedding photos and remittance slips) and the fact that she does not own a computer nor is she particularly good at using them. So to me it only made sense that I did most of the application myself, my wife did her questionnaire and i also helped her answer some of the questions as her english is not super fluent which begs the question, would i be considered a representative of hers?

For example a question that asks about our wedding and to include any photos, I put all of our photo's together in one document and reference any of them to questions that were asked in the questionnaire. I'm the one who wrote all the captions so its obvious that it wasn't her who did it, is that okay? I mean it doesn't make much sense if I can't help my wife with this. Also would that mean I would have to fill out the "Use of a Representative form" (IMM 5476)?

Thanks much guys!! 8)

You don't need to, but if you want you can,
then you will become her representative and all communication
from Immigration to hers will be sent to you.

It may help if you want in the future address any issue with her application,
you wont need to fill any form again, just do it once and you will have access to
her application.

But as the other person said, normally it is used by lawyers and agencies
that represent and help with the application.
It is also common that one spouse signs as representative, specially when
the sponsored person has limited knowledge of any official Language.

 

[truesmile]

I think you actually should do so. It means CIC will speak to you on her behalf and unless you are an authorized representative, they won't.

We did so, although I did not ever end up speaking with CIC on her behalf.

 

[lexDR]

Recently I asked the forum the same question. I was doubting whether or not to be a representative. As mentioned by others you will not be able to conduct business with CIC after you are approved as a sponsor. It was also suggested to me that it would be a lot easier to mail information to your location and less likely to get lost. I'm not sure where your wife is from, but if you are the one with a steady phone and internet connection then you may want to consider it. Just my two cents.

 

[jamali]

Also, if you were listed as representative, and during the process you wish to order the GCMS notes ... you won't need your wife's consent, therefore no need to be bothered with the consent form.

Given the fact you say that your wife's english is not super fluent, then listing yourself as representative is a good idea.

 

[kerryannbailey]

My app has passed SA stage and when my husband calls CIC he asks questions and gets answers. They just ask him a few security questions. We didn't even include the Representative paper in the app at all. Maybe it's different per case.

 

[AtribecalledQ]

Thanks for all the information guys, so unless i read all the replies wrong it sounds like I should fill out the representative form that I am representing my wife. I mean the questions she answered on her questionnaire are all from her point of view but i helped her out on how to answer them including my own words mixed with hers.

That's what worries me the most because as it says on the beginning of the questionnaire it states "To be completed by persons living outside Canada and being sponsored as spouses, common-law partners or conjugal partners" since i helped quite a bit it wasn't done entirely by her.

Also when you are the representative you have all information related to the application mailed to you instead? My wife lives in a fairly remote location in the Philippines and it has a good chance of either being heavily delayed or getting lost.

thanks again guys!