Thai and Canadian Common-Law

[Bigvictory]

Wonderful Forum.
Looking for some advice. My partner and I are applying for a Common law Permanent Resident Visa. I have been researching like mad. We have been living together for over a year and plan to apply in October. I am a little worried about proving our common law status.
We have been together for almost three years and are ready to set into a new phase of life (ie. the quest for financial security), but as it stands I will not be able to provide paid bills (we pay our bills at 7-11!). I have managed to require receipts for our rent. But there was no written contract. Should I have one made up? I have 100's of pictures, but I recieve my mail through my school and not directly to my house. So we have no joint mail. I have many reference letters already lined up, from personal and profressional aquaintances. We have also opened a joint bank account.
I suppose I am just looking for advice from someone who has been through this process. Is there anything else I should be doing now. Tips, advice. I really want this application to be successful. I hope to be able to return the favor one day.

 

[kolibri]

It sounds good with the all information you gathering.
Maybe also include detailed phone billing showing incoming partner number? (and the same info from partner)?
Maybe add your partner as a second card holder to your credit card?
add your partner to the utility bills?
Rental agreement - ask for that for both of you as renters.

Maybe someone will have some other ideas..

Good LUCK!!!

 

[raycrawford]

Hi, I am going through the same process in Manila. Now waiting still after 7 months.

I strongly suggest you do all you can do prove your co habitation together especially during the 12 month period.

Yes do make up a lease in both your names from the date you moved in and ask your land lord to sign it. Submit it with your montly rent receipts.

I hope you have dated your pictures during the year together also? Your bank account should have been started before your 12 month period together. Get a bank certificate from the bank and include it with your application. We had our utility bills put in both our names, doesn't matter where you pay them as long as both your names are on them. We also kept our monthly gym receipts in both our names.

Make up a table showing the time you spent in Thailand and the time you spent in Canada. Also include photocopies of your passport stamps to prove you were there.

Your partner must be able to explain why she is not married to you? What ever the reason be prepared to explain it. You do not have to be married but a reasonable explanation will help your case.

I included alot more but we planned all of this before we started our year together. We have been together 4 years on and off as I visited Canada three times.

I wish you the best, if I can help in anyway just ask.

Regards,

Raymond.

 

[iarblue]

Putting someone on your credit card does nothing for the case it just says your responsibl for paying anything she spends on it,and opening a joint account just before you applied does not do anything for you either,but it will help a bit,include photos they are the best proof from the time you met,with friends ,eachothers friends.

 

[Bigvictory]

Thank you for the kind advice.
I cannot put my bills in our name as they are in the homeowner's name. Things work very differently in Thailand. I actually began renting my house on a verbal agreement with someone I had never met before with no damage deposit or references. Just a smile.
I am trying to acquire a paper trail but we pay for phone credit as we go. so no bills. I have a phone bill from home when I visited showing how often I called him.
We also have a Thai speaking relationship although I cannot write Thai. So that means letters are quite rare.
I will create a relationship timeline complete with dated pictures. His hair and weight fluctuate so that should help date the photos.
I expect the process to take at least 8 months. We have our own reasons for not getting married (mostly that neither of us are religious) What would be a good answer. Of course, I would be truthful but what are other people's reasons for remaining in a common law relationship?

Thank you again.