You must inform the CIC of any change in status. So you'd have to tell them you got married at which point I think they'd have you start a spousal app? I'm not sure, to be honest.
Yes you absolutely can. It just doesn't change the class of your application. Even if you got married, they would continue to process as common-law. But you can get married at any time.
Yeah as KBH said. You don’t need any specific status to get married in Canada, unlike US. I don’t know if you can change anything application wise submitting the update but I think you should let them know anyways
You definitely have to let them know of any change, including if you get married, that's for sure.
It's like inland and outland. Common law and spousal are two separate "streams", so once the app is filed, it can't be changed - in order to do so, a new application must be filed.
Inland takes about a year these days, probably less for Americans. However, given the OP is American, it would be best for them to apply outland. American outland applications are processed in under six months regularly, plus she could stay in Canada as a visitor while it's being processed.
Do you have a record of you trying to get them to write that letter (so emails back and forth). If so you could include them.
I do. But in the email, Simon says “we have no way to prove that she’s been living there with you, so we can’t write a letter.”
Hi, I’m sorry to hear about these issues that came up.
Based off other timelines, we’re at the finish line. We were not expecting this.
The key is showing your address, like you said you're sending info about your bank account, make sure you get a statement with the address on it. Have you done any online shopping? Any receipts with shipping information to the address with your name? Any mail addressed to you at the address would be something to prove the address, even if it holds very little weight. Uber or food delivery receipts on your phone or email showing the address? We included mail from a gym membership and car insurance I had. Does your partner have a car? Can he make you a joint owner? What about his car insurance? I've heard of others who sent in grocery store reward members mail. Get your friends to send you some mail at your address. Are all your utilities included in rent? If not, did you try contacting all the companies to add a secondary person? What about internet? Did you try to get a driver's licence? What province are you in? I'm the sponsor and I changed by BC Medical Services Plan to say I'm in a common-law relationship. Go and get wills done? See if you can get a local library card or leisure centre card with your name on it? It's about showing you have made a home in the area, so it's good you're going to send in the hospital records so it shows you've been in the area. You said before you had a lease statement that said 4 people were living in the house, even if it doesn't provide names it's again something else to include. Why don't you get a Statue of Declaration that you're in a common law relationship? https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5409e.pdf
I am writing up a letter with bullet points explaining and documenting every thing I am sending to them! Honestly - I'm sending every thing we have that shows my name, this address, his name, this address!
Yea that sounds good. I would also make sure you make it clear why you couldn't get the things like a drivers license or couldn't get the car in a joint name, and if possible proof that you've tried these things.
