Some countries are obviously more difficult to get into than others (compare England v Australia for example. England will let any Tom, Dick or Harry in whereas Australia contains much stricter laws). Check the requirements of the country of the person you are involved with. It could save a lot of heartbreak if you fell in love with someone and their country refused you access for some reason.

It also seems that most immigration departments around the world want to see that a genuine relationship is in progress. Therefore you must supply evidence to back this up. The internet is a perfect place to be able to supply this information as you'll have records of emails, chat sessions and so on.

Most immigration departments can appear to be extremely offhand and apparently rude. Also the forms they send you can look extremely hard work and terrifying. Bear in mind that the whole issue is very official and bound by the law of the land. I personally believe that this is a barrier that every person wishing to immigrate needs to break down and push through. Be of strong will and character. Be positive, concise and conscientious and stay to the truth and you should be right.

To begin preparing your case, you may like to set it out into 2 main categories (3 if you are already married and living together when applying for immigration). When I did mine to Australia I set it out in chronological order, namely the history of the relationship, to the present and future and the final section was dedicated to legal documents.

Category 1 - The Birth and History of your Relationship.

1. Include an affidavit by yourself and your partner declaring the nature of your relationship, how it came to be and what you see for the future. Specify any assets you have jointly or singularly and what your income is when in that persons country. Get this affidavit countersigned by a Justice of Peace or equivalent to make it formal.
2. Select some emails and include these in your case. Maybe the first one you sent one another, the one where you declared your love for each other and a couple more. Try and spread the time periods out so you can show that the relationship has been on going.
3. Include some chat sessions if you've saved any. Try and pick out the clean ones mind you :).
4. If you have or have access to a scanner, scan a few of your snail mail letters in as these add further authentication to your case.
5. If you have phoned your partner, your telephone bills will be invaluable. To have your partners direct number appearing on your bill will greatly add weight to your application. It will also show your extensive internet calls too.
6. The next part in this category should be proving your previous meetings or visits. This can be include photographs, any receipts you may have, anything with joint names on e.g. a motel bookings.

Category 2 - The Marriage (Only applicable to those who married and are applying for residence in that country)

1. Obtain a copy of the wedding ceremony. Try and get any readings that may have been said, photographs etc.
2. Copies of wedding invitations, wedding cards, blessings, photographs of the wedding gifts.
3. Photographs of the wedding and honeymoon. On all photographs don't forget to state what is occurring in the photos and where it was, who is in them etc.
4. Get copies of receipts for anything related to the wedding, e.g. the ceremony, church, reception, hired cars, dress etc.

Category 3 - The Legal Documents

1. Birth Certificates of both people.
2. Marriage Certificate if applicable.
3. Divorce papers if applicable.
4. Copy of passports including relevant visas from previous visits, stamps etc.
5. Evidence of financial assets either jointly or singularly. Try and provide evidence that when you are together, you intend being financially joined together and able to sustain an income together.
6. If you are already living together and applying from within the country you intend immigrating to, declare yourself to the relevant authorities e.g. social security that you are not dependent on them. Obtain something from social security in writing.
7. Include any qualifications you both have. This could have an impact on whether the country you intend immigrating to sees you as a liability or asset.

When making your case, do not send original documents unless you are required to do so. Instead either scan them or photocopy and get a Justice of Peace or equivalent to countersign stating they are true copies of the originals. It would also be a good idea to bind your case together and make reference to each page via contents. This makes the immigration departments job a lot easier and thus create a good impression.

Always remember to answer questions honestly and to the point. Any false information you put down may lead to a heavy fine being imposed upon you or even imprisonment. Read all the forms and associated paperwork carefully and obtain all required information together.