Hey. My girlfriend and I have been living in Canada in a common-law relationship for almost a year now (although we have been dating for much longer than that). When we reach the one-year mark, we will file an outland application for her permanent residency where I am acting as her sponsor. In going through the forms, there are several questions where I am not 100% certain what the answer should be, so I wanted to just clarify with you guys (probably the most reliable source of information, from what I've observed so far!). Some of the questions are specific to common-law procedures while others are more general about status in Canada, etc.
Thanks in advance to anybody and everybody who can help me with any of these questions – it’s really appreciated.
General Questions
1. The instructions make a point of writing “Not applicable” in sections that do not apply instead of leaving them blank. So do I literally have to put “Not applicable” in every box that does not apply to me (resulting in a number of “Not applicable”s on many pages? Or will just one “Not applicable” per section suffice?
2. Some of the questions on my girlfriend’s forms require evidence from me. Furthermore, some questions require long, written out answers (e.g. describing the development of the relationship after the first meeting). Since she is not a native English speaker, am I allowed to help her out when answering these questions? Can I help her to smooth out grammar, etc? Or is it expected that she completes her forms without any interaction with me?
IMM 1344A
Section A
Questions 5 and 6: Mailing address and residential address, if different from mailing address.
My address of permanent residency is still listed as in Winnipeg even though I have been living in Toronto (attending school) for the past 6 years. Thus, I live in Toronto 11 out of 12 months each year. For my mailing address, I think I can use my Toronto address. What about for Q6, my “residential address”? It doesn’t say permanent residence or anything. My girlfriend is living with me in Toronto, so I don’t want the officer to mistakenly think we are not living together!
8.a) Your marital status?
My girlfriend and I are in a common-law relationship. Our common-law relationship (i.e. living together) started on July 31, 2008. However, we were dating (much of the time long distance) for nearly two years prior to that. Specifically, we were exclusively dating each other since Sept. 4, 2006. Which date should I put?
10. Are you a Canadian citizen? Permanent resident (provide the dates became a citizen or PR)?
It seems this question shouldn’t be too tricky, but because of my background it is a little bit tough. I was actually born in California. My parents are both Canadian citizens (but were living in the USA for a few years when I was born). Thus, I believe I obtained my Canadian citizenship by descent, correct? We moved back to Canada when I was about three years old. Currently, I am definitely a Canadian citizen living in Canada with a Canadian passport, etc. Interestingly enough, I did not get my proof of Canadian citizenship (a “Certificate of Canadian Citizenship”) until I was about 11 years old – my parents didn’t know at the time that it was something I had to do. So my question is, what is the date that I “became a citizen on”? My birth date? Or the date I obtained proof of Canadian citizenship?
Also, I am not a permanent resident, am I?
Section C
6.a) Address where the person you are sponsoring lives.
Our Toronto address and phone number where we have lived together for the past year, correct?
IMM 5409
It seems we only need to complete this form if there is a co-signer? Is that correct?
IMM 5540
8. Have you resided in countries other than Canada?
What qualifies as “resided”? Given my background (above), I think I will definitely have to indicate my time in the USA here. I also stayed in Taiwan with my common-law girlfriend for 4.5 months in 2007 while completing an internship. Should I include Taiwan here as well?
11. Are you currently living in Canada? Since when? Give address in Canada.
For the date, I imagine I would put the date I moved to Canada from USA (or would I put the date I returned from my internship in Taiwan?). For the address, should I put our Toronto address (11 out of 12 months per year where my common-law partner live), my Winnipeg address (technically still my permanent residence), or both?
IMM 0008
5. Her country of residence?
She’s living with me in Canada now, so is it Canada?
14., 15., 16. Mailing address, residential address, and telephone numbers.
Since she has lived with me for the past year and will continue doing so, put our Toronto address and telephone?
IMM 0008 Schedule 1
3. Other names you are or have been using
In addition to her Chinese name (converted into English characters), she does have an English name. She will write that here. She was wondering if there is any way to request that her English name can be made more official than just an alias or nickname because it is a more common name for other Canadians to recognize and pronounce. Is there any way to do that?
6. Status in that country
I'm assuming that the correct answer to residency is Canada. So that would mean: Temporary resident with study permit?
IMM 5490
30. Do you receive financial support from your sponsor?
During this last year in Canada, she has been unable to work because she does not have a work permit. As a result, I have been paying for daily expenses, apartment, etc. I also helped to pay for ESL classes she attended. Should these things be included here?
IMM 5406
Section A. Does she list me as her common-law partner here?
Thanks in advance to anybody and everybody who can help me with any of these questions – it’s really appreciated.
General Questions
1. The instructions make a point of writing “Not applicable” in sections that do not apply instead of leaving them blank. So do I literally have to put “Not applicable” in every box that does not apply to me (resulting in a number of “Not applicable”s on many pages? Or will just one “Not applicable” per section suffice?
2. Some of the questions on my girlfriend’s forms require evidence from me. Furthermore, some questions require long, written out answers (e.g. describing the development of the relationship after the first meeting). Since she is not a native English speaker, am I allowed to help her out when answering these questions? Can I help her to smooth out grammar, etc? Or is it expected that she completes her forms without any interaction with me?
IMM 1344A
Section A
Questions 5 and 6: Mailing address and residential address, if different from mailing address.
My address of permanent residency is still listed as in Winnipeg even though I have been living in Toronto (attending school) for the past 6 years. Thus, I live in Toronto 11 out of 12 months each year. For my mailing address, I think I can use my Toronto address. What about for Q6, my “residential address”? It doesn’t say permanent residence or anything. My girlfriend is living with me in Toronto, so I don’t want the officer to mistakenly think we are not living together!
8.a) Your marital status?
My girlfriend and I are in a common-law relationship. Our common-law relationship (i.e. living together) started on July 31, 2008. However, we were dating (much of the time long distance) for nearly two years prior to that. Specifically, we were exclusively dating each other since Sept. 4, 2006. Which date should I put?
10. Are you a Canadian citizen? Permanent resident (provide the dates became a citizen or PR)?
It seems this question shouldn’t be too tricky, but because of my background it is a little bit tough. I was actually born in California. My parents are both Canadian citizens (but were living in the USA for a few years when I was born). Thus, I believe I obtained my Canadian citizenship by descent, correct? We moved back to Canada when I was about three years old. Currently, I am definitely a Canadian citizen living in Canada with a Canadian passport, etc. Interestingly enough, I did not get my proof of Canadian citizenship (a “Certificate of Canadian Citizenship”) until I was about 11 years old – my parents didn’t know at the time that it was something I had to do. So my question is, what is the date that I “became a citizen on”? My birth date? Or the date I obtained proof of Canadian citizenship?
Also, I am not a permanent resident, am I?
Section C
6.a) Address where the person you are sponsoring lives.
Our Toronto address and phone number where we have lived together for the past year, correct?
IMM 5409
It seems we only need to complete this form if there is a co-signer? Is that correct?
IMM 5540
8. Have you resided in countries other than Canada?
What qualifies as “resided”? Given my background (above), I think I will definitely have to indicate my time in the USA here. I also stayed in Taiwan with my common-law girlfriend for 4.5 months in 2007 while completing an internship. Should I include Taiwan here as well?
11. Are you currently living in Canada? Since when? Give address in Canada.
For the date, I imagine I would put the date I moved to Canada from USA (or would I put the date I returned from my internship in Taiwan?). For the address, should I put our Toronto address (11 out of 12 months per year where my common-law partner live), my Winnipeg address (technically still my permanent residence), or both?
IMM 0008
5. Her country of residence?
She’s living with me in Canada now, so is it Canada?
14., 15., 16. Mailing address, residential address, and telephone numbers.
Since she has lived with me for the past year and will continue doing so, put our Toronto address and telephone?
IMM 0008 Schedule 1
3. Other names you are or have been using
In addition to her Chinese name (converted into English characters), she does have an English name. She will write that here. She was wondering if there is any way to request that her English name can be made more official than just an alias or nickname because it is a more common name for other Canadians to recognize and pronounce. Is there any way to do that?
6. Status in that country
I'm assuming that the correct answer to residency is Canada. So that would mean: Temporary resident with study permit?
IMM 5490
30. Do you receive financial support from your sponsor?
During this last year in Canada, she has been unable to work because she does not have a work permit. As a result, I have been paying for daily expenses, apartment, etc. I also helped to pay for ESL classes she attended. Should these things be included here?
IMM 5406
Section A. Does she list me as her common-law partner here?
