Cohabitation proof needed if married

[Mrs.YeeKeow]

Hi everyone,

I am sponsoring my husband inland, we submitted our application in November 2015, and have received AOR and SA. My husband received an email requesting his medical, and also another email stating:

In order to continue processing your application, further information is required. You must
complete/submit the following to this office:

[X] You did not provide sufficient evidence that you are in a cohabitating relationship with your
sponsor. Acceptable documentation includes: evidence of joint bank, trust, credit union or charge
card accounts; jointly signed residential lease, mortgage or purchase agreement, insurance and/or
beneficiary forms. Other supporting documentation such as statutory declarations of individuals with
personal knowledge that your relationship is genuine and continuing may be considered. Please do
not send any electronic media items, such as CDs, DVDs, or VHS tapes.

We are married with a one year old son. Just curious as to why proof of cohabitation is needed - is this a regular request for married couples? We can provide a copy of our joint bank account but not sure what else we have that can prove we do live together.

Thanks so much!

 

[keesio]

Inland sponsorship requires the sponsor and applicant to be living together during the application process. Hence why they asked for proof of cohabitation. At the very least, you should be able to get your friends and family to provide statutory declarations that you are living together.

 

[Mrs.YeeKeow]

Ok that makes sense. Thank you!

 

[annakrystyna13]

Also, I would strongly recommend providing at least a few pieces of mail that arrived to both of you at the same address. It would be great to have something with both your names on it, such as a wedding invitation, but even if you can just provide like a phone bill addressed to you, and another bill addressed to your spouse, that would be very good. This is what they are looking for.

 

[Mrs.YeeKeow]

Great advice, thanks!

 

[Regina]

Also try copies of Notice of Assessments of Income tax. There are your names and address.

 

[BrookeTravels]

Inland sponsorship requires the sponsor and applicant to be living together during the application process. Hence why they asked for proof of cohabitation. At the very least, you should be able to get your friends and family to provide statutory declarations that you are living together.

Sorry to add to this thread since it's not my own, but I am currently in a similar situation and wanted to ask a quick question, hope thats alright.

I'm applying 'outbound', but I have been living with my wife since September within Canada, and have evidence of a lease, and we just got a joint bank account. I'm American, entered and used my 6 month visitors status, and had it extended for a year in March. Is it ok to show that I signed a lease upon entering in September, and another in December? Or is that bad for an Outbound applicant? I am torn, since they ask for cohabitation proof for outbound application, but I'm applying with my Canadian address, since it's where i'm living now as a visitor.

Many, many thanks!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Is it ok to show that I signed a lease upon entering in September, and another in December? Or is that bad for an Outbound applicant? I am torn, since they ask for cohabitation proof for outbound application, but I'm applying with my Canadian address, since it's where i'm living now as a visitor.

Cohabitation proof is not required for a married outland app. That said, there in no issue with signing a lease while here as a visitor.

 

[BethanyM]

Sorry to add to this thread since it's not my own, but I am currently in a similar situation and wanted to ask a quick question, hope thats alright.

I'm applying 'outbound', but I have been living with my wife since September within Canada, and have evidence of a lease, and we just got a joint bank account. I'm American, entered and used my 6 month visitors status, and had it extended for a year in March. Is it ok to show that I signed a lease upon entering in September, and another in December? Or is that bad for an Outbound applicant? I am torn, since they ask for cohabitation proof for outbound application, but I'm applying with my Canadian address, since it's where i'm living now as a visitor.

Many, many thanks!

I'd be inclined to include it. It shows evidence of a strong relationship, of planning and taking responsibility together.

Legally, if you were not permitted to stay in Canada you would still be responsible for the lease,
so the worse that immigration could say about you is that you're presuming your immigration will succeed.
There's no harm in that. I don't see any negative way to read that situation. It's a positive, Go with it.

 

[BrookeTravels]

Cohabitation proof is not required for a married outland app. That said, there in no issue with signing a lease while here as a visitor.

Thanks so much! I want to make sure I give them everything they might possibly need up front, and be precise about it. I appreciate your assistance. I'm trying to be a good resident.

I'd be inclined to include it. It shows evidence of a strong relationship, of planning and taking responsibility together.

Legally, if you were not permitted to stay in Canada you would still be responsible for the lease,
so the worse that immigration could say about you is that you're presuming your immigration will succeed.
There's no harm in that. I don't see any negative way to read that situation. It's a positive, Go with it.

Thank you so much for this solid advice. The process of all of this over the last year has been a bit overwhelming at times and thoughtful responses like this really do help greatly. I'm all for including the positives!