spousal application vs common law

[squirrel]

My partner is Canadian citizen, we've been living together for 3 years outside Canada. Couple weeks ago we came back to Vancouver. My partner is going to sponsor me for PR. We all know it takes a long time. The question is: which way has less paperwork and is faster and easier: to get married and apply with marriage certificate or to apply on common law based relationship? Is there any difference? Do you still have to prove that your marriage is bona fide? Does the marriage has any advantages?

Please share you information and experience.

Thank you all.

squirrel

 

[mitamata]

You still have to prove the relationship is genuine, no matter how you apply.

But, it's slightly easier if you're married. The marriage certificate is enough to establish you qualify as a spouse. With common-law, you need to prove that you have been living together for at least 1 year and that's a bit more difficult, since there isn't really one piece of paper that would prove that.

I'm sure that if you've been living together for 3 years though, you should be able to provide enough evidence to show you've been living together for at least the last year, so it shouldn't make much of a difference to you. If you don't have much evidence for that though, then it would be easier to just get married. Though of course, to prove the relationship is genuine, you'll still need to submit evidence you've been living together since that is part of your relationship, so... *shrugs* Your call

 

[raniloc]

You still have to prove the relationship is genuine, no matter how you apply.

But, it's slightly easier if you're married. The marriage certificate is enough to establish you qualify as a spouse. With common-law, you need to prove that you have been living together for at least 1 year and that's a bit more difficult, since there isn't really one piece of paper that would prove that.

I'm sure that if you've been living together for 3 years though, you should be able to provide enough evidence to show you've been living together for at least the last year, so it shouldn't make much of a difference to you. If you don't have much evidence for that though, then it would be easier to just get married. Though of course, to prove the relationship is genuine, you'll still need to submit evidence you've been living together since that is part of your relationship, so... *shrugs* Your call

Do the Visa Office put more priority on SPOUSAL application rather than COMMON LAW application? or they are both equal?

 

[Baloo]

Do the Visa Office put more priority on SPOUSAL application rather than COMMON LAW application? or they are both equal?

No difference in priority at all, however, taking the common law route means that you have a bit more to prove.

 

[raniloc]

No difference in priority at all, however, taking the common law route means that you have a bit more to prove.

Yes, I fully undestand this. The reason we submitted a 3 and half years of evidence to prove our relationship is genuine and continuing.
However, for the life of me I cannot comprehend why there are no update or feedback for the local visa office after they have confirmed and acknowledge the RPRF payment last July 5.