What is considered common-law? Sponsorship

[nicholas1520]

Hey everyone,

My girlfriend and I have been living together for about 3 years in Trinidad, in December 7th 2016 I returned to Canada to live. Her visitor's visa was processed in January 2017 and she has been with me since January 31st 2017. Would CIC consider this a common-law relationship and can I sponsor her under that class?

 

[Rob_TO]

Hey everyone,

My girlfriend and I have been living together for about 3 years in Trinidad, in December 7th 2016 I returned to Canada to live. Her visitor's visa was processed in January 2017 and she has been with me since January 31st 2017. Would CIC consider this a common-law relationship and can I sponsor her under that class?

Yes, as long as you have evidence to submit that you in fact did live together at least 12 months while in Trinidad. So things like shared rent/lease agreement, share accounts, utilities, mail going to same address, listed as same address on insurance forms, etc etc.

If you don't have proof, you will find it very hard to convince IRCC you are in fact common-law.