Outland family class sponsorship (common-law or spouse?)

[manyat]

Hello everyone! I have a question regarding the outland sponsorship for PR in common-law/spouse class.

Me and my partner have been together for almost 5 years, are not married, but have lived together in Canada for more than a year so we qualify for common-law union (we are in Quebec province). I am going back to my country in January, because my visitor visa will expire (prior to this i had a working holiday permit). Do we have to be married for him to be able to sponsor me if i apply from my own country or is the common law union that we sign in Canada enough for an outland sponsorship for PR after i leave Canada?

Thanks in advance for all your answers

 

[CDNPR2014]

if you can prove cohabitating for at least 1 year prior to sending in the application, you don't have to continue cohabitation while your application is in process. so, yes, assuming you have the proper proof, you can apply as commonlaw and go back home until approved.