What can I do?

[np08]

Can we get married while applying for common-law?

You must inform the CIC of any change in status. So you'd have to tell them you got married at which point I think they'd have you start a spousal app? I'm not sure, to be honest.

I'd wait and see what happens first. Not sure where the other user got married, but in Alberta we waited three weeks for our marriage certificate so it wasn't that long at all.

 

[KBH]

Can we get married while applying for common-law?

Yes you absolutely can. It just doesn't change the class of your application. Even if you got married, they would continue to process as common-law. But you can get married at any time.

 

[np08]

Yes you absolutely can. It just doesn't change the class of your application. Even if you got married, they would continue to process as common-law. But you can get married at any time.

Really? Whoa, I had no idea they didn't change the app class.

 

[Snowman1308]

Really? Whoa, I had no idea they didn't change the app class.

Yeah as KBH said. You don’t need any specific status to get married in Canada, unlike US. I don’t know if you can change anything application wise submitting the update but I think you should let them know anyways

 

[np08]

Yeah as KBH said. You don’t need any specific status to get married in Canada, unlike US. I don’t know if you can change anything application wise submitting the update but I think you should let them know anyways

You definitely have to let them know of any change, including if you get married, that's for sure.

I know that before they would either switch your app from common to spousal themselves or have you reapply. But those were the rules before the big changes of the past few years which is why I didn't know if anything changed there too.

 

[KBH]

Really? Whoa, I had no idea they didn't change the app class.

It's like inland and outland. Common law and spousal are two separate "streams", so once the app is filed, it can't be changed - in order to do so, a new application must be filed.

 

[ciscoccie]

Unfortunately I already know the answer.. but I guess I’m hoping there’s more I can do.

They came back today asking for more proof that I’ve been cohabitating with my sponsor.

I have none.

So I’m most likely going to be denied...

What then?

We start the process over?

If I get denied common-law, can we get married and apply again right away?

My visitor record is extended until March 2019, .can I stay until March 2019 if I get denied PR?

I’m feeling pretty broken. I’ve been in Canada almost two years on extension and I really can’t imagine breaking my kids away from their father to move back while we work this out.

I just don’t know what to do at this point...

We’re going to try and send them some other things- but I have little hope.

I am thinking if for some reason they reject your application, you can marry your partner who is a Canadian citizen by birth. Once this is done the very next day you can submit an application for open work permit (it takes 3 months to get that), during that time you wont be kicked out of the country. Once you get the open work permit you can work for any employer and apply for Inland spousal immigration application also which usually takes around 1.5 years to process. After this your work permit will be converted to permanent resident.

I know its something you dont want but I want to make a point that they wont ask you to leave the country this way and you dont need to panic. The only problem I think on being on an open work permit is that you need to buy your own health insurance.

 

[np08]

I am thinking if for some reason they reject your application, you can marry your partner who is a Canadian citizen by birth. Once this is done the very next day you can submit an application for open work permit (it takes 3 months to get that), during that time you wont be kicked out of the country. Once you get the open work permit you can work for any employer and apply for Inland spousal immigration application also which usually takes around 1.5 years to process. After this your work permit will be converted to permanent resident.

I know its something you dont want but I want to make a point that they wont ask you to leave the country this way and you dont need to panic. The only problem I think on being on an open work permit is that you need to buy your own health insurance.

Inland takes about a year these days, probably less for Americans. However, given the OP is American, it would be best for them to apply outland. American outland applications are processed in under six months regularly, plus she could stay in Canada as a visitor while it's being processed.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

We’re reaching out again to see if they will at least write a letter stating that I’ve lived here- even though I’m not on the lease.

Do you have a record of you trying to get them to write that letter (so emails back and forth). If so you could include them.

 

[Elanigana]

Do you have a record of you trying to get them to write that letter (so emails back and forth). If so you could include them.

I do. But in the email, Simon says “we have no way to prove that she’s been living there with you, so we can’t write a letter.”

So I don’t think that will help my case.

 

[Matt_26]

Unfortunately I already know the answer.. but I guess I’m hoping there’s more I can do.

They came back today asking for more proof that I’ve been cohabitating with my sponsor.

I have none.

So I’m most likely going to be denied...

What then?

We start the process over?

If I get denied common-law, can we get married and apply again right away?

My visitor record is extended until March 2019, .can I stay until March 2019 if I get denied PR?

I’m feeling pretty broken. I’ve been in Canada almost two years on extension and I really can’t imagine breaking my kids away from their father to move back while we work this out.

I just don’t know what to do at this point...

We’re going to try and send them some other things- but I have little hope.

Hi, I’m sorry to hear about these issues that came up.

I’m curious as to what stage in the application process they requested these additional documents of living together?

When did you apply for common law sponsorship?

My partner and I are in a similar situation where we don’t have a lot of proof of cohabitation as we were living with her parents while her father was ill and my partner needed to be close to provide support.

We have a letter from the landlord and also letters from other siblings that were staying in the house so we are hoping that helps to resolve the issue of not having a joint lease.

Are there other people in the building who could write a letter to state they are Neighbour’s in the same apartment and can state you have lived at that address?

 

[Elanigana]

Hi, I’m sorry to hear about these issues that came up.

I’m curious as to what stage in the application process they requested these additional documents of living together?

When did you apply for common law sponsorship?

My partner and I are in a similar situation where we don’t have a lot of proof of cohabitation as we were living with her parents while her father was ill and my partner needed to be close to provide support.

We have a letter from the landlord and also letters from other siblings that were staying in the house so we are hoping that helps to resolve the issue of not having a joint lease.

Are there other people in the building who could write a letter to state they are Neighbour’s in the same apartment and can state you have lived at that address?

Based off other timelines, we’re at the finish line. We were not expecting this.

I reached out to my neighbor who I know... and we will see.

But I already had letters from friends and family and people I met in Canada.

So at this point- I have no idea.

 

[ashpash22]

Based off other timelines, we’re at the finish line. We were not expecting this.

I reached out to my neighbor who I know... and we will see.

But I already had letters from friends and family and people I met in Canada.

So at this point- I have no idea.

The key is showing your address, like you said you're sending info about your bank account, make sure you get a statement with the address on it. Have you done any online shopping? Any receipts with shipping information to the address with your name? Any mail addressed to you at the address would be something to prove the address, even if it holds very little weight. Uber or food delivery receipts on your phone or email showing the address? We included mail from a gym membership and car insurance I had. Does your partner have a car? Can he make you a joint owner? What about his car insurance? I've heard of others who sent in grocery store reward members mail. Get your friends to send you some mail at your address. Are all your utilities included in rent? If not, did you try contacting all the companies to add a secondary person? What about internet? Did you try to get a driver's licence? What province are you in? I'm the sponsor and I changed by BC Medical Services Plan to say I'm in a common-law relationship. Go and get wills done? See if you can get a local library card or leisure centre card with your name on it? It's about showing you have made a home in the area, so it's good you're going to send in the hospital records so it shows you've been in the area. You said before you had a lease statement that said 4 people were living in the house, even if it doesn't provide names it's again something else to include. Why don't you get a Statue of Declaration that you're in a common law relationship? https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5409e.pdf
Don't give up hope yet! I know some of this sounds farfetched but if you think you're going to be refused anyway, don't you think its worth a shot to try it?

 

[Elanigana]

The key is showing your address, like you said you're sending info about your bank account, make sure you get a statement with the address on it. Have you done any online shopping? Any receipts with shipping information to the address with your name? Any mail addressed to you at the address would be something to prove the address, even if it holds very little weight. Uber or food delivery receipts on your phone or email showing the address? We included mail from a gym membership and car insurance I had. Does your partner have a car? Can he make you a joint owner? What about his car insurance? I've heard of others who sent in grocery store reward members mail. Get your friends to send you some mail at your address. Are all your utilities included in rent? If not, did you try contacting all the companies to add a secondary person? What about internet? Did you try to get a driver's licence? What province are you in? I'm the sponsor and I changed by BC Medical Services Plan to say I'm in a common-law relationship. Go and get wills done? See if you can get a local library card or leisure centre card with your name on it? It's about showing you have made a home in the area, so it's good you're going to send in the hospital records so it shows you've been in the area. You said before you had a lease statement that said 4 people were living in the house, even if it doesn't provide names it's again something else to include. Why don't you get a Statue of Declaration that you're in a common law relationship? https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5409e.pdf
Don't give up hope yet! I know some of this sounds farfetched but if you think you're going to be refused anyway, don't you think its worth a shot to try it?

I am writing up a letter with bullet points explaining and documenting every thing I am sending to them! Honestly - I'm sending every thing we have that shows my name, this address, his name, this address!

Today was a very hard day in terms of my emotions and for the first time feeling like we might actually be rejected... I can't imagine leaving here. It's been my home for almost two years... my kids need their family together. I just hope we satisfy them.

 

[ashpash22]

I am writing up a letter with bullet points explaining and documenting every thing I am sending to them! Honestly - I'm sending every thing we have that shows my name, this address, his name, this address!

Today was a very hard day in terms of my emotions and for the first time feeling like we might actually be rejected... I can't imagine leaving here. It's been my home for almost two years... my kids need their family together. I just hope we satisfy them.

Yea that sounds good. I would also make sure you make it clear why you couldn't get the things like a drivers license or couldn't get the car in a joint name, and if possible proof that you've tried these things.