common law - is joint bank account necessary for us

[rhea_25]

We are planning outland common law sponsorship (Philippines to Canada) but we didn't get a joint bank account yet. If we get one now, it will be about 4 months before we apply. But I wonder, if the money management we been doing since the beginning shows joint proof.
Way it works is my Canadian boyfriend transfers money from his Canada account to my Paypal account and then I transfer to my bank.
Works without problem .. guess I worry that CIC would be suspicious if we open joint bank now..

 

[canadianwoman]

You do not need a joint bank account. The proof you have of financial support is good. Opening a joint bank account won't really be seen as suspicious, but if it is only 4 months before you apply, it is not proof of common-law status - you need things going back one year for that. It is, however, part of the proof your relationship is genuine.

 

[rhea_25]

thank you for your help I did not know that if joint account is less than one year, it would not show any proof for common law. so I guess would be best not to include? also what about the life insurance we have, we only got that now in July. will that be no proof too because less than a year?

 

[ImABule]

thank you for your help I did not know that if joint account is less than one year, it would not show any proof for common law. so I guess would be best not to include? also what about the life insurance we have, we only got that now in July. will that be no proof too because less than a year?

As stated above it won't be suspicious.

I added my wife to my credit card after we got married and showed that.

For common law proof, a joint lease/mortgage, mail to same address, utilities with both names or different ones to same address, ID showing same address etc.

 

[canadianwoman]

For the common-law application you have to prove two things: 1. that you have lived together for 12 continuous months; and 2. that the relationship is genuine.
For proving 1, things have to have covered the full year. But for 2, it can be anything that shows your relationship is real. So the joint bank account and life insurance should be included, because they help show your relationship is genuine.

 

[rhea_25]

oh i see, the less than 12 months bank account and insurance do not prove the living together for12 months but do help to prove genuine relationship. We are facebook love story come true and it is obvious to all our fb friends that we genuine. Some even emailed us support letters and I hope they will help prove genuine too. I imagine if any visa officer was our fb friend from beginning, it would be obvious to them too that we are genuine even without meeting us in real!

 

[HopefulAngel]

Hi,

A joint bank account wont really hurt, but would add more credibility to your relationship. However, I think proof that he is sending you money (e.g. Money transfer receipts with your name for over a year) would be of your advantage if you include it in your application.

 

[fol]

Do you have an idea about timeline of processing time in getting your conjugal partner? I passed my owp and Pr with my conjugal partner application.

 

[Alurra71]

Do you have an idea about timeline of processing time in getting your conjugal partner? I passed my owp and Pr with my conjugal partner application.

You submitted an OWP with a conjugal application? That sounds as if you submitted an inland application. If that is the case then you can likely expect to be denied PR.

I hope you mean common law and not conjugal.

 

[Wayne72]

I understand this requirement but I am not understanding the logic of this request. I am sponsoring my wife for PR (inland) and we have provided a marriage certificate as well as other proofs but was told we require more documents for proof of relationship such as shared bank account or expenses.

I am supporting my wife financially so obvious her name will not be on most of the bills because those expenses were mine to begin with before she came over. So we are trying to open up a joint bank account but I was told that she's not able to have a joint account with me until she have a permanent status. I have confirmed this with Tangerine, Simplii, and Scotiabank to avail.

Can anyone shed lights on how we can open a joint account and which bank? Thanks!

 

[dstpcansgirlfriend]

@Wayne72 - My partner (non Canadian) opened an account at TD. It was straightforward, and I was later added to it. I believe RBC will also let non-Canadians who are in the country on a TRV open an account.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I understand this requirement but I am not understanding the logic of this request. I am sponsoring my wife for PR (inland) and we have provided a marriage certificate as well as other proofs but was told we require more documents for proof of relationship such as shared bank account or expenses.

I am supporting my wife financially so obvious her name will not be on most of the bills because those expenses were mine to begin with before she came over. So we are trying to open up a joint bank account but I was told that she's not able to have a joint account with me until she have a permanent status. I have confirmed this with Tangerine, Simplii, and Scotiabank to avail.

Can anyone shed lights on how we can open a joint account and which bank? Thanks!

If IRCC has already requested more relationship proofs, there is no point in opening a bank account now and submitting proof of it. They want proofs that are already established. You will need to show other stuff.

 

[Wayne72]

Thank you for your quick response dstpcansgirlfriend and canuck_in_uk, I will show other stuff as advised.