Questions About Being Sponsored as Common-law

[alangolding25]

Hello,

Myself and my partner are about to put in an application for my PR through common law sponsor.

We met in Australia and are together 4 years. We moved back to Canada (shes from London, ON) Feb 2013.

We applied for PR common law sponsor 2 years before coming to Canada but it was denied as we had not been living together for 12 months at that time.

I am currently on an open working Visa which expires in March (yes I am leaving it late to put the PR application in I know)

Can you give any information, tips, suggestions to aid in our process.

E.g. apply from within Canada or outside Canada.

When the application goes in, and my work Visa expires and I have not been given approval for PR yet can I extend my work Visa do you know

Appreciate any help at all
Thanks
Alan

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello Alan,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We hope that others who have submitted their common-law sponsorship application successfully can share their suggestions with you.

For in-Canada sponsorships, the processing time for first stage is currently 17 months and CIC is currently working on applications received on September 3, 2013.

After that, it would still be several months before you would hear anything or see any updates for your application on-line.

You can see the processing times and which applications CIC is currently working on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. Here you can compare the timelines for inside and outside Canada.

It may also be helpful to review the IP 8 Spouse or Common-law partner in Canada Class Operations Manual.

Here is an excerpt from section 10.1. Assessment of relationship,

In the case of a common-law partner, documentary evidence should include:

*a statutory declaration of common-law relationship (included in the application package);

• proof of separation from a former spouse if either the sponsor or the applicant were previously married; and
• evidence that they have been living together for at least one year (e.g.documents showing the same address for both).

Evidence may also include:

• documents from other institutions or other government authorities, such as the Canada Revenue Agency, indicating a marital or common-law relationship;
• documents indicating joint ownership of property (mortgages, leases);
• joint bank accounts; and
• insurance policies.

You or your partner may want to contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Call Centre directly for some suggestions and information regarding your situation.

You mentioned that the previous application was denied and that also your work permit will be expiring shortly.

It may also be helpful to contact someone who is familiar with submitting these type of immigration applications in these circumstances. You can find some information in our Settlement.Org Should I get help with my immigration application from an immigration consultant or lawyer? article.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org