'Common-law' question for work permit renewal application

[WorkerInCanada123]

Hey everyone!

I am a Temporary Skilled Worker on a valid work permit in Canada. I am currently in the process of renewing my work permit with the same employer to extend my stay in this great country!

I have a question regarding my marital status for the application. I met my current partner shortly after moving to Canada. We currently live together, but have only been living together for 6 months. According to Canadian Immigration you are not considered Common-law until you have lived together for 12 months. In the "Family Information" Application form IM5707E that I need to submit with my application, I have to declare whether I have a 'Spouse or common-law partner'. Technically we do not qualify as spousal (not married) or common-law (as mentioned above) just yet, but it feels odd not declaring anything when we do live together. We plan to submit an application for Permanent Residency (spousal sponsorship) in the future, and I want to make sure I fill this is correctly to make sure it doesn't affect our future application.

Your help is most appreciated!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi

Your legal marital status is still single. It won't affect any future PR app.

 

[scylla]

You need to live together for a minimum of one year before you can say you are common law and include each other in applications. If you want to do it sooner - you'll need to get married.

 

[WorkerInCanada123]

Great, thanks. I am more than happy to put single- I just wanted to make sure that in fact was the correct status to put so that it doesn't affect my PR application when we apply at the end of the year!