Zadel, I did a little research to see how CIC evaluates applications under the conjugal category and I found this:zadel said:
"In general, people who have made the level of commitment expected in a conjugal relationship
would normally marry or live together. If a foreign national could have married their Canadian
sponsor or lived with them, and chose not to do so, then it is questionable whether they have the
significant degree of commitment characteristic of a conjugal relationship.
The conjugal-partner applicant should explain why they have not been able to live continuously
with their sponsor for at least one year. In most cases, there will be an immigration impediment to
continuous cohabitation (e.g., inability to obtain long-stay visas for one another’s country). Noncohabitation
for purely personal or economic reasons (i.e., did not want to give up a job or studies)
does not normally qualify as a sufficient impediment, but should be assessed on a case-by-case
basis. Applicants should be able to provide evidence that they have seriously considered living
together as common-law partners. For example, they might have explored options for living
together in one another’s country, such as work or study permits, how their occupational skills and
qualifications would be recognized in their partner’s country, visitor visas, long-term visitor status,
etc.
Officers should also inquire whether the couple is planning to marry. If they are planning to marry,
then they are fiancés and may not have established a conjugal relationship. Officers should
explain that there is no fiancé(e) category in Canada’s immigration legislation, and that the foreign
national fiancé(e) must be married to their Canadian sponsor and apply to immigrate as a married
spouse."
This may not be very helpful but perhaps it will help you decide on your best approach to the CIC request for more information.
