Need help with common law sponsorship

[Aiden8282]

Hello guys,

So I will simply introduce my situation:

I came to Montreal for study and graduated successfully. I met my boyfriend in Montreal. We are together since 2015. We have lived together for the past 4 years. However, we had only one lease on 2017 that signed under both names and lived in the place for 1 year. Other leases are signed under my name only, I paid the majority of rent in the past 4 years. Then, we moved to his parent's house on 2018. We have phone bills together for over 2 years and an share account for 1 year and half.

The questions are:

1. Am I eligible to apply PR immigration under the common law sponsorship? If so,
2. My bf is a PR, can he sponsor me for the common law sponsorship?
3. Is it necessary to hire a lawyer to apply my PR? I know it is very expensive. So I am wondering whether we better do it by ourselves or hire a lawyer instead? Is it risky to apply by ourselves?

If you can help me with your experience, please please leave comments below, I appreciate it a lot!

Best regards,

A

 

[Jnicole45]

1. Yes. You've been living together for longer than 1 year and are in a committed relationship.
2. Yes, as long as he stays in Canada for the entire process (Citizens can sponsor while living abroad, PR's can't). Doesnt seem like a problem for you two, but I thought I would include the info just in case.
3. I won't tell you not to get a lawyer, but I will say a lot of us on the forum go it without one. My advice is to read through the application guide, maybe take a peek at the checklist so you know what documents you'll need, and if any of it seems unmanageable or too complicated for you, then consider hiring a lawyer. I've heard some lawyers/consultants offer a service where all they do is give your application a thorough check before you mail it to make sure it's complete, and that tends to be way less expensive than using them for the full application.

Also keep in mind if you are still living/want to live in Montreal, Quebec has some extra steps in the process, but there's a link to that information in the guide as well. Good luck!

 

[Aiden8282]

1. Yes. You've been living together for longer than 1 year and are in a committed relationship.
2. Yes, as long as he stays in Canada for the entire process (Citizens can sponsor while living abroad, PR's can't). Doesnt seem like a problem for you two, but I thought I would include the info just in case.
3. I won't tell you not to get a lawyer, but I will say a lot of us on the forum go it without one. My advice is to read through the application guide, maybe take a peek at the checklist so you know what documents you'll need, and if any of it seems unmanageable or too complicated for you, then consider hiring a lawyer. I've heard some lawyers/consultants offer a service where all they do is give your application a thorough check before you mail it to make sure it's complete, and that tends to be way less expensive than using them for the full application.

Also keep in mind if you are still living/want to live in Montreal, Quebec has some extra steps in the process, but there's a link to that information in the guide as well. Good luck!

Thank you so so much for your answer,

Very helpful! Thanks a lot!

 

[Aiden8282]

1. Yes. You've been living together for longer than 1 year and are in a committed relationship.
2. Yes, as long as he stays in Canada for the entire process (Citizens can sponsor while living abroad, PR's can't). Doesnt seem like a problem for you two, but I thought I would include the info just in case.
3. I won't tell you not to get a lawyer, but I will say a lot of us on the forum go it without one. My advice is to read through the application guide, maybe take a peek at the checklist so you know what documents you'll need, and if any of it seems unmanageable or too complicated for you, then consider hiring a lawyer. I've heard some lawyers/consultants offer a service where all they do is give your application a thorough check before you mail it to make sure it's complete, and that tends to be way less expensive than using them for the full application.

Also keep in mind if you are still living/want to live in Montreal, Quebec has some extra steps in the process, but there's a link to that information in the guide as well. Good luck!

One more question,

Should I apply inland or outland? I've heard that outland application could be faster. Is it true?

 

[Jnicole45]

One more question,

Should I apply inland or outland? I've heard that outland application could be faster. Is it true?

If you apply inland, there's the benefit of being able to apply for an open work permit, if you don't already have one. And as long as you intend to be in Canada the entire duration of the process (if you need to leave for a short period, you're usually able, but there's always the slight risk you'll be denied entry upon return so most people don't risk it if they can help it), Inland is the better option. Outland recently has been moving a little faster, but outland applicants also regularly experience long delays, especially if they're asked to submit additional documents. If your application goes totally smoothly, it could end up being a shorter wait than inland, but it's a risk. Maybe scroll through some of the inland and outland threads on the forum to see what other folks have been experiencing

 

[Aiden8282]

If you apply inland, there's the benefit of being able to apply for an open work permit, if you don't already have one. And as long as you intend to be in Canada the entire duration of the process (if you need to leave for a short period, you're usually able, but there's always the slight risk you'll be denied entry upon return so most people don't risk it if they can help it), Inland is the better option. Outland recently has been moving a little faster, but outland applicants also regularly experience long delays, especially if they're asked to submit additional documents. If your application goes totally smoothly, it could end up being a shorter wait than inland, but it's a risk. Maybe scroll through some of the inland and outland threads on the forum to see what other folks have been experiencing

Alright, thank you again!

You are very nice!!

 

[canuck78]

When did your bf become a PR?