Quebec Skilled worker or family class/common law?

[pulsardevotion]

My girlfriend and I have lived together about 15 months. When she first started her permanent residence application, we weren't common law. She was originally applying for the Quebec experience program, now that's suspended, so she was set to apply as a Quebec Skilled worker instead. She already has a CSQ, under that category.

I was talking with a friend today who said Quebec Skilled Worker applications for permanent residence are taking a long time. Her fiancé has been waiting two years. My friend mentioned that common law spouse applications are much faster, closer to 6 months amongst the people she's known.

Is this true? I could sponsor her. However, her application is all set and she already has a CSQ. She doesn't want to delay things.

She's also unsure how easily we can prove we're common law. We never got any joint bank accounts or phone lines or anything, and the lease is in my name only. But, we have lots of text messages about it, also talked about her share of the rent, a history of her paying me rent each month, lots of pictures of both of us at the places we've lived, a dog together, etc.

Is this enough to document common law? And is it worth applying through common law sponsorship rather than Quebec skilled worker? Thanks!

 

[smallcoffee]

Sorry that's not enough evidence of common law, you need concrete proof for the 12 months

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My girlfriend and I have lived together about 15 months. When she first started her permanent residence application, we weren't common law. She was originally applying for the Quebec experience program, now that's suspended, so she was set to apply as a Quebec Skilled worker instead. She already has a CSQ, under that category.

I was talking with a friend today who said Quebec Skilled Worker applications for permanent residence are taking a long time. Her fiancé has been waiting two years. My friend mentioned that common law spouse applications are much faster, closer to 6 months amongst the people she's known.

Is this true? I could sponsor her. However, her application is all set and she already has a CSQ. She doesn't want to delay things.

She's also unsure how easily we can prove we're common law. We never got any joint bank accounts or phone lines or anything, and the lease is in my name only. But, we have lots of text messages about it, also talked about her share of the rent, a history of her paying me rent each month, lots of pictures of both of us at the places we've lived, a dog together, etc.

Is this enough to document common law? And is it worth applying through common law sponsorship rather than Quebec skilled worker? Thanks!

Look at the actual common-law checklist to see if you have the neccessary proofs.

 

[pulsardevotion]

This one? http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

The first question would be: does this even matter? Is it a significant advantage over applying as a Quebec skilled worker? She's already set to apply as a Quebec skilled worker, with a CSQ. Whereas we'd be started mostly from scratch with common law. Is it worth it?

As for proofs, the federal page above says they'd consider other proofs. We could find stuff like:

• Texts sent to landlords asking if she could move in + their agreement. They'd probably write a letter too.
• Documents from her university and the government addressed here.
• Some tax returns with this address.
• The end date of her prior lease

We could assemble a bunch more stuff if we went through our records. Do they require stuff like joint accounts and other things that a lot of common law couples don't do? Joint stuff isn't super common in Quebec.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

This one? http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

The first question would be: does this even matter? Is it a significant advantage over applying as a Quebec skilled worker? She's already set to apply as a Quebec skilled worker, with a CSQ. Whereas we'd be started mostly from scratch with common law. Is it worth it?

As for proofs, the federal page above says they'd consider other proofs. We could find stuff like:

• Texts sent to landlords asking if she could move in + their agreement. They'd probably write a letter too.
• Documents from her university and the government addressed here.
• Some tax returns with this address.
• The end date of her prior lease

We could assemble a bunch more stuff if we went through our records. Do they require stuff like joint accounts and other things that a lot of common law couples don't do? Joint stuff isn't super common in Quebec.

No. You need to look at the actual application and checklist https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...l-partner-dependent-child-complete-guide.html.

Whether it is worth it is entirely your decision. I am not familiar with Quebec's immigration programs, so I can't comment about that.

 

[pulsardevotion]

Oh, thanks! Found the checklist. Seems like we have enough info. The documentation is fairly flexible. Unsure about the Quebec side though, we'd have to fill that in for a CSQ after the federal process.

 

[canuck78]

No matter what she needs to declare that she is not single and is common law. Same thing for your taxes through CRA.