Hello all,
I might be in a bit of a pickle and need guidance. My partner (a US citizen) started living with me (a dual US/Canadian citizen) in August 2019 when she was accepted to my university on a flagpole study permit. At that time we were not common law so she applied as single. But by March 2021, we had to apply for a study permit extension which we erroneously provided a single marital status.
This was due to sheer ignorance: having lived in the US all our life, we assumed that common law was an opt in system like marriage instead of automatically coming into force like it does. Obviously it is stupid that we didn't do our due diligence sooner, but the damage is done. We realized in February 2022 that we screwed up by not declaring common law, so we correctly provided common law status on her PGWP and updated our tax status with the CRA. Unfortunately for us, not realizing how bad misrepresentation can be, we never submitted a webform while the study permit was valid explaining the screw up.
That brings us to today. My partner is still on that PGWP and we are applying for PR sponsorship with me as the sponsor. Is there anything else I can do aside from providing a letter of explanation, pleading ignorance and hope the IRCC officer looking at our application is having a good day? Would declaring single on a study permit when we're actually common law be considered overlooking material facts? Looking for any and all options.
Thank you!
I might be in a bit of a pickle and need guidance. My partner (a US citizen) started living with me (a dual US/Canadian citizen) in August 2019 when she was accepted to my university on a flagpole study permit. At that time we were not common law so she applied as single. But by March 2021, we had to apply for a study permit extension which we erroneously provided a single marital status.
This was due to sheer ignorance: having lived in the US all our life, we assumed that common law was an opt in system like marriage instead of automatically coming into force like it does. Obviously it is stupid that we didn't do our due diligence sooner, but the damage is done. We realized in February 2022 that we screwed up by not declaring common law, so we correctly provided common law status on her PGWP and updated our tax status with the CRA. Unfortunately for us, not realizing how bad misrepresentation can be, we never submitted a webform while the study permit was valid explaining the screw up.
That brings us to today. My partner is still on that PGWP and we are applying for PR sponsorship with me as the sponsor. Is there anything else I can do aside from providing a letter of explanation, pleading ignorance and hope the IRCC officer looking at our application is having a good day? Would declaring single on a study permit when we're actually common law be considered overlooking material facts? Looking for any and all options.
Thank you!