Strange Question, can the forms be 3-hole punched?

[HarkiranKaur]

Since I am a bit of an prganizational freak, and can't stand chaos, I planned to put the entire PR application for my husband into a 3 ring binder with section dividers clearly labelled as to what is in each section. And at the front a Table of COntents so to speak telling what's in each colour coded section. At the start will be the document checklist, then Section 1 will be all the Sponsorship Forms, proof of my income as sponsor, my ID (passport birth cert etc) and payment receipt, Section 2 will be all the Applicant forms, his ID, his 6 photos, etc. Section 3 will be Applicant mecical panel exam, Police certificates etc. Section 4 will be all the marriage documents, religious certifiate, legal registration in India, Photos from the ceremony, reception and honeymoon, invitations, congratulatory article that was in the local newspaper the following day etc. Section 5 will be proof of ongoing (past) relationship prior to the marriage... my previous India Visas, photos, email history, phone record (I can only go back one month because it's a calling service but clearly shows we speak every night) etc.

Is this a good idea or should I just pile everything in a pile and stick in an envelope? I would think the CIC personnel will appreciate that everything is organized and easy to find - I even listed the form numbers on the table of contents page so they can easily find what sections. My big question, is it ok to hole punch the forms though? Or should I slide them down in page protectors? I wouldn't THINK that hole punched would be bad but you never know.

 

[Ponga]

IMHO, that's not going to make their job easier...since the application will be separated out once they get their hands on it.

The overwhelming majority of people seem to assemble the `package' as 3 separate sections:

• Sponsor's forms and required documents.

• Applicant's forms and required documents.

(this is where you include the medical and police clearance documents)

• Evidence of the relationship.

(combine your section 4 and 5)

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It's best to use binder clips (but no staples) for each section, using tab markers if desired.

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[HarkiranKaur]

I'd still prefer to put everything in a binder to keep from being one big mish mash mess... so are hole punches ok or not?? I think they would be better than separate binder clips etc and then stacking everything... If they want to separate things, it's as easy as opening the rings of the binder and taking that whole section out.

 

[kangamoose]

I'd still prefer to put everything in a binder to keep from being one big mish mash mess... so are hole punches ok or not?? I think they would be better than separate binder clips etc and then stacking everything... If they want to separate things, it's as easy as opening the rings of the binder and taking that whole section out.

CIC specifically request no binders or plastic protects in most of the country specific guides.

 

[Ponga]

I'd still prefer to put everything in a binder to keep from being one big mish mash mess... so are hole punches ok or not?? I think they would be better than separate binder clips etc and then stacking everything... If they want to separate things, it's as easy as opening the rings of the binder and taking that whole section out.

Ok then...good luck with that.

AFAIK, you'd be the first to do this.

 

[scylla]

CIC specifically request no binders or plastic protects in most of the country specific guides.

Agreed. Binders specifically aren't allowed. I would avoid them to ensure there's no risk of CIC returning your application.

 

[HarkiranKaur]

Agreed. Binders specifically aren't allowed. I would avoid them to ensure there's no risk of CIC returning your application.

What about a duotang then? I just don't know how to fasten everything together so it wont be one huge loose pile. I just have visions of everything falling apaprt and getting lost the moment someone opens the envelope if its one big pile.

 

[Ponga]

Nobody has said [yet] that it needs to be in one big pile.

Make 3 smaller piles, that are held together with binder clips and you'll be fine.

 

[scylla]

What about a duotang then? I just don't know how to fasten everything together so it wont be one huge loose pile. I just have visions of everything falling apaprt and getting lost the moment someone opens the envelope if its one big pile.

No - that's no different than a binder. They specifically want things loose. I put big elastic bands around mine (as well as splitting them into sections) to keep things together.

 

[kangamoose]

We organised everything according to the checklist - held each section together with a paperclip or binder clip and then held all of that together with a bigger binder clip. It was well organised and not loose.

 

[zardoz]

We used a paperclip to just hold the sheets of a multi-page form together. No other bindings were used.

When the application is received, all of your careful ordering and binding is discarded and the application resorted to CIC's requirements.
You'll only be satisfying your own compulsions and just making things harder for CIC. I strongly recommend the "Keep It Simple" principle.

 

[HarkiranKaur]

What do you mean by binder clip? Do you mean a bulldog clip? Those black ones with the two arms that snap down?

 

[rugrat907]

What do you mean by binder clip? Do you mean a bulldog clip? Those black ones with the two arms that snap down?

Yes, those. That's what I used to keep different groupings of documents together and they are acceptable to CIC.

 

[HarkiranKaur]

I found what I am going to use. Legal file holders. They are clear plastic, with 3 or 5 pockets you just drop the documents in the section and the lid closes and there is a tie. Nothing will be 'attached' to it, as it is just a big envelope with several pockets. They are used to transport documents etc. You can get manila cardboard ones too. But I will use bulldog clips to hold the forms together inside.

 

[Snowisland]

I think Plastic holders are not allowed.
I put mine in 3 separate envelopes, one for sponsor, one for applicant and one for photos. Then I put all 3 envelopes in one brown expanding envelope. Then I used Fed Ex box to put all inside and send. I did not use any paperclips or anything at all as they were in order of the checklist and in an envelope already.
Imagine working there and having to copy every item sent. If it's just in order in an envelope, they can stick it in the copier/scanner and it's done. Also, I watched the video and read the instructions and it seems they want it loose. The pictures are in an envelope because I didn't send two sets of pics, just noted on sponsor and applicant checklist that pics were provided in an envelope.
Mine weighed 2 lbs and was 111 sheets of paper, not counting the photos.
This is all so stressful maybe it's best to do what causes you the least stress.