Change Marital Status Change from single to Common-law in PR process IRCC

[androidxx]

Hi all,

I am in the PR process via IRCC for the PNP (non-EE) stream. I just got a bio request and I am planning to get the bio next week. I am planning to get married to my partner in the next one to two years. And we are now "common-law" not officially. we have living together for a year and we have dated for 4 years. Is it possible to change my marital status to sponsor PR for my partner?

One more question, Does it impact my PR processing time as well? or it will be processing parallel?

Best Regards,

 

[Miss bee]

Hi all,

I am in the PR process via IRCC for the PNP (non-EE) stream. I just got a bio request and I am planning to get the bio next week. I am planning to get married to my partner in the next one to two years. And we are now "common-law" not officially. we have living together for a year and we have dated for 4 years. Is it possible to change my marital status to sponsor PR for my partner?

One more question, Does it impact my PR processing time as well? or it will be processing parallel?

Best Regards,

If you lived together, you are automatically common law now . You must have to inform IRCC about your status. Failure to do so will result in misrepresentation. You won’t be able to sponsor your spouse in future.

 

[androidxx]

If you lived together, you are automatically common law now . You must have to inform IRCC about your status. Failure to do so will result in misrepresentation. You won’t be able to sponsor your spouse in future.

Thanks for letting me know, so it is not optional. I should inform IRCC about it once we have lived a year right? Could you please answer the second question if possible?

 

[Miss bee]

Thanks for letting me know, so it is not optional. I should inform IRCC about it once we have lived a year right? Could you please answer the second question if possible?

It’s never optional. Onus is on you to prove that you are in genuine common law relationship. You have to add her in your application and application will be delayed slightly but processing will continue. You have to provide form like family information, background declaration form , copy of passport, fees , common law declaration form , medical, PCC . Once you send them webform regarding change in family composition, they will send you kit which will have all document. Note declaring common law was never optional. You must inform them asap .
After applying for permanent residence under the Economic class - Adding a family member

If you are the principal applicant of a permanent residence application already in process, you could add your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children to your application, even if they were listed as a non-accompanying dependent in the initial application.

To do so, we invite you to send your add-on request by using the IRCC webform available on our website. You can attach the following forms and documents in the field reserved to that effect:

• A new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)* with supporting documents,
• (If applicable) A Schedule A - Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) form,
• (If applicable) An Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) form,
• (If applicable) A signed Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) form,
• A copy of the birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship,
• A copy of the family member’s valid passport,
• Police certificates for all countries where the family member over the age of 18 has lived for more than 6 months since turning 18,
• A letter of explanation (indicate “Add-on” in your letter), and
• If applicable, the proof of payment*.

 

[lauren9090]

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[whoisbuzzlightyear]

It’s never optional. Onus is on you to prove that you are in genuine common law relationship. You have to add her in your application and application will be delayed slightly but processing will continue. You have to provide form like family information, background declaration form , copy of passport, fees , common law declaration form , medical, PCC . Once you send them webform regarding change in family composition, they will send you kit which will have all document. Note declaring common law was never optional. You must inform them asap .
After applying for permanent residence under the Economic class - Adding a family member

If you are the principal applicant of a permanent residence application already in process, you could add your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children to your application, even if they were listed as a non-accompanying dependent in the initial application.

To do so, we invite you to send your add-on request by using the IRCC webform available on our website. You can attach the following forms and documents in the field reserved to that effect:

• A new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)* with supporting documents,
• (If applicable) A Schedule A - Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) form,
• (If applicable) An Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) form,
• (If applicable) A signed Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) form,
• A copy of the birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship,
• A copy of the family member’s valid passport,
• Police certificates for all countries where the family member over the age of 18 has lived for more than 6 months since turning 18,
• A letter of explanation (indicate “Add-on” in your letter), and
• If applicable, the proof of payment*.

Hi! Could you help me assess my situation -

My boyfriend and I came to know each other and entered a long distance relationship in June 2021. In July 2021, I went to Canada for my master's degree.

From July 2021 to December 2023, we were in a long distance, remote relationship. He was in our home country, I was in Canada.

On December 7, 2023, I received EE ITA.

On December 15, 2023, he came to Canada with study permit. We officially started to live together (cohabitation).

On May 31, 2024, I received my eCOPR.

I have declared "Single" throughout my application, as I don't have any prior marriage history, nor per IRCC's standards, I don't think my boyfriend and I qualify for common law.

Can I sponsor my boyfriend when we reach one year of cohabitation, aka. December 15, 2024?

Thank you!

 

[Miss bee]

Hi! Could you help me assess my situation -

My boyfriend and I came to know each other and entered a long distance relationship in June 2021. In July 2021, I went to Canada for my master's degree.

From July 2021 to December 2023, we were in a long distance, remote relationship. He was in our home country, I was in Canada.

On December 7, 2023, I received EE ITA.

On December 15, 2023, he came to Canada with study permit. We officially started to live together (cohabitation).

On May 31, 2024, I received my eCOPR.

I have declared "Single" throughout my application, as I don't have any prior marriage history, nor per IRCC's standards, I don't think my boyfriend and I qualify for common law.

Can I sponsor my boyfriend when we reach one year of cohabitation, aka. December 15, 2024?

Thank you!

Yes absolutely. You were never common law before. You can sponsor your BF once you hit one year continuously cohabitation.

 

[whoisbuzzlightyear]

Yes absolutely. You were never common law before. You can sponsor your BF once you hit one year continuously cohabitation.

Thank you so much!

So there's nothing wrong with me stating I'm "single", correct? (I apologize for my repetitive questioning; I saw some conflicting explanations here and there...)

Do I still need to report to IRCC regarding my marital status change when I hit the one-year benchmark of common law cohabitation? OR it is just that my boyfriend should declare in his application?

 

[Miss bee]

Thank you so much!

So there's nothing wrong with me stating I'm "single", correct? (I apologize for my repetitive questioning; I saw some conflicting explanations here and there...)

Do I still need to report to IRCC regarding my marital status change when I hit the one-year benchmark of common law cohabitation? OR it is just that my boyfriend should declare in his application?

You are still single until you reach 12 months mark . You don’t have to notify anyone. Your BF should mention this status and you should sponsor him as a common law partner. Onus is on you to provide proofs that you are in genuine love relationship and have proofs that you lived together 12 months continuously.

 

[whoisbuzzlightyear]

You are still single until you reach 12 months mark . You don’t have to notify anyone. Your BF should mention this status and you should sponsor him as a common law partner. Onus is on you to provide proofs that you are in genuine love relationship and have proofs that you lived together 12 months continuously.

Thank you so much, I sincerely appreciate it. All the very best to you!

 

[tritonmycat⬛]

You are still single until you reach 12 months mark . You don’t have to notify anyone. Your BF should mention this status and you should sponsor him as a common law partner. Onus is on you to provide proofs that you are in genuine love relationship and have proofs that you lived together 12 months continuously.

Hello Miss Bee, could you help with my situation as well?

My partner and I have been living together for 11 months. She's now submitting documents for the PR application through PNP, she declared as "single" in the application. Is it better that she submit the application now or wait until next month when we qualified as common law partner? if she submits it now, is it possible to add me to the application if we notify ircc about our change of marital status or I have to wait until she got the pr card first?

Thank you!

 

[Miss bee]

Hello Miss Bee, could you help with my situation as well?

My partner and I have been living together for 11 months. She's now submitting documents for the PR application through PNP, she declared as "single" in the application. Is it better that she submit the application now or wait until next month when we qualified as common law partner? if she submits it now, is it possible to add me to the application if we notify ircc about our change of marital status or I have to wait until she got the pr card first?

Thank you!

If she is submitting now , she is not in common law yet . I will suggest you to wait for few more days and then submit all together adding you in application. If you add later on yourself in your application will be delayed.

 

[tritonmycat⬛]

If she is submitting now , she is not in common law yet . I will suggest you to wait for few more days and then submit all together adding you in application. If you add later on yourself in your application will be delayed.

Got it. Thank you so much for your reply! Have a wonderful day!

 

[kithicoy]

Hi @Miss bee ,
Hoping you could still see my comment here on this thread.

I just wanted to ask regarding changing status on pr application.

I got my visa approved September of 2022 but was able to come here in Canada September of 2023. The time that i was prepping for my application my partner and I just started our relationship that's why i wasn't able to include her on my student application. During the delay we had the chance to live together for a year until my departure.

Now, i'm currently on my PGWP and was fortunate to find an employer to support my PR application.

My question is:
Can i still declare my partner as common law on my pr application even if i wasn't able to declare her on my student and pgwp application?

Thank you so much!

 

[Miss bee]

Hi @Miss bee ,
Hoping you could still see my comment here on this thread.

I just wanted to ask regarding changing status on pr application.

I got my visa approved September of 2022 but was able to come here in Canada September of 2023. The time that i was prepping for my application my partner and I just started our relationship that's why i wasn't able to include her on my student application. During the delay we had the chance to live together for a year until my departure.

Now, i'm currently on my PGWP and was fortunate to find an employer to support my PR application.

My question is:
Can i still declare my partner as common law on my pr application even if i wasn't able to declare her on my student and pgwp application?

Thank you so much!

Yes, you can declare your partner as a common-law partner on your PR application, even if she was not listed on your initial study permit or PGWP applications. However, you will need to provide evidence to show that you and your partner have lived together for at least one continuous year to establish the common-law relationship.
To ensure your PR application goes smoothly, here are some steps you can take:
1. Gather Proof of Cohabitation: Include documents that show you have lived together for at least a year, such as a lease or rental agreement, shared utility bills, joint bank accounts, or any other documents that demonstrate a shared residence.
2. Prepare a Letter of Explanation: Explain to IRCC why your partner wasn’t initially included on your study and PGWP applications. Since your relationship began after your student application and you’ve since met the criteria for a common-law partnership, this should be clear in your letter.
3. Check PR Application Guidelines: Make sure your partner meets any additional requirements specified for dependents on your PR stream.
4. Review Your Immigration History for Consistency: Since your prior applications didn’t list her, be transparent about your timeline with supporting documents. IRCC typically understands that relationships can evolve, but clarity and consistency are important.By providing a clear, evidence-backed explanation, IRCC should be able to accommodate your updated relationship status.