Can I list my girlfriend (of less than 1 year) as common law spouse in my study permit application?

[doriebtch]

My girlfriend and I have been dating since December 2019 and it was only in January 2, 2020 that we started living together. A month after that, we opened a joint account and even acquired insurance where I'm her beneficiary and she's my beneficiary. We also have a lot of photos together.

Anyway, I'm planning to take the January 2021 intake. And I shall be submitting my study permit application some time by June or onward. January 18 will be the start of classes for the spring term. If my student permit application is approved, then I would leave my country two weeks before classes start which will be on January 3 or 4. And by then, we would have achieved the 1-year milestone of living together (January 2).

I really want to list her because after I arrive and settle down in Canada, then she can start applying for an Open Work Permit. Had we been straight, I would've married her, but Philippines isn't open to same sex relationships. So can I list her as common law spouse during my application?

 

[Qwertypod]

You had to have achieved common-law status at the time of applying - so no.

 

[doriebtch]

You had to have achieved common-law status at the time of applying - so no.

Okay. But how about my girlfriend? Can she still apply for an Open Work Permit even though I haven't declared her as common law partner during my application for student permit?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Okay. But how about my girlfriend? Can she still apply for an Open Work Permit even though I haven't declared her as common law partner during my application for student permit?

She isn't your common-law partner, so you can't declare her as such in your app.. If you live together for a year before you come to Canada and can prove it, she can try applying at that point.

 

[doriebtch]

She isn't your common-law partner, so you can't declare her as such in your app.. If you live together for a year before you come to Canada and can prove it, she can try applying at that point.

Alright, got your point. Thank you so much!