in article ooKnb.75632$EO3.11059@clgrps13, MM at wrote on
10/28/03 23:56:
> I married in the Philippines which is probably as similar a country to
> Thailand as any, as far as CIC is concerned. My spousal sponsorship of my wife
> sailed through, and we are just waiting for her passport to be returned with
> the visa. So here are my opinions:
>
> The advice of the CIC representative sounds reasonable about waiting for at
> least a year of contact. Wait until after the wedding. It would be ideal if it
> was a church wedding with bridesmaids, photos etc, and if your parents could
> attend it would show family backing. But your wedding style is personal.
>
> Try and have lots of evidence of her and your visits, such as airline ticket
> copy, photos, hotel receipts for trips together, passport pages copies showing
> entry/exit stamps. We had 7 months of contact before engagement, and got
> married a year after that. Just try to provide as much evidence as possible in
> your application package of the genuineness of your evolving relationship
> instead of leaving some of it in a drawer and waiting to see if CIC will ask
> for it in an interview. We weren't required to have an interview, which of
> course shortened the waiting period.
>
> Be very careful about how you both answer ALL questions in ALL the forms. My
> wife just met an educated woman (a teacher) who is applying as a sponsored
> spouse, and luckily my wife offered to help her out and found that her forms
> which were ready for sending back to Canada had several errors and omissions.
> She also advised her of government certifications of the important documents
> in the Philippines.
>
> You said you asked CIC for the package. Yes they can send it, but all the
> forms are on www.cic.gc.ca <http://www.cic.gc.ca> . Keep in mind that one or
> more of the forms could change by the time you are ready to fill them in, so
> the package they send to you could be partly out of date by the time you are
> married and apply. So keep up to date on the website.
>
> Good luck. I hope this helps. My opinions based on my one experience.
>
MM,
I just have a few more questions re your helpful insight I hope you (or
others) might find time to answer.
You say your spousal sponsorship sailed through, but you are waiting for
wife¹s passport to be returned. Does this mean she is landed in Canada? If
so, how long approx. did it take from the time you submitted your
application? Was all this recently (post 2001 or prior 2001)?
Is a Philippine wedding recognized by Canada &/or did you need to be married
in Canada too? Did your Philippine wedding require licensing verified by
Canada? Does anyone know what might be required regarding proof/legality of
Thai wedding, and if it will be recognized as official in Canada?
Thanks for your time.
in article ooKnb.75632$EO3.11059@clgrps13, MM at wrote on
10/28/03 23:56:
> I married in the Philippines which is probably as similar a country to
> Thailand as any, as far as CIC is concerned. My spousal sponsorship of my wife
> sailed through, and we are just waiting for her passport to be returned with
> the visa. So here are my opinions:
>
> The advice of the CIC representative sounds reasonable about waiting for at
> least a year of contact. Wait until after the wedding. It would be ideal if it
> was a church wedding with bridesmaids, photos etc, and if your parents could
> attend it would show family backing. But your wedding style is personal.
>
> Try and have lots of evidence of her and your visits, such as airline ticket
> copy, photos, hotel receipts for trips together, passport pages copies showing
> entry/exit stamps. We had 7 months of contact before engagement, and got
> married a year after that. Just try to provide as much evidence as possible in
> your application package of the genuineness of your evolving relationship
> instead of leaving some of it in a drawer and waiting to see if CIC will ask
> for it in an interview. We weren't required to have an interview, which of
> course shortened the waiting period.
>
> Be very careful about how you both answer ALL questions in ALL the forms. My
> wife just met an educated woman (a teacher) who is applying as a sponsored
> spouse, and luckily my wife offered to help her out and found that her forms
> which were ready for sending back to Canada had several errors and omissions.
> She also advised her of government certifications of the important documents
> in the Philippines.
>
> You said you asked CIC for the package. Yes they can send it, but all the
> forms are on www.cic.gc.ca <http://www.cic.gc.ca> . Keep in mind that one or
> more of the forms could change by the time you are ready to fill them in, so
> the package they send to you could be partly out of date by the time you are
> married and apply. So keep up to date on the website.
>
> Good luck. I hope this helps. My opinions based on my one experience.