CEC and proof of common-law scrutiny.

[Funchum143]

Hello All,

We received an ITA last January via CEC and I have a common-law partner who is in our home country. I declared him as my common-law in my PGWP but i wasn't really required to submit proof of relationship as he still is in our home country and we didn't apply for OWP. We had some family troubles which is why he decided to stay in our home country first. I also didn't declare him in my study permit as common-law as we were 3 months shy of having 1 yr of living together. Our consultant back then wanted us to be completely honest so I did mention in my letter of intent that I have a partner. We're a bit worried as we're not confident with our proof of common-law.

We have a notarized lease agreement with both our names, notarized affidavits from friends and family, tons of pictures and travels, one set of ID's with same address. We recently converted his bank account to a joint bank account. Recent insurance with each other as beneficiary. I have online orders dating back to the time we lived together stating our shared living address.

I think the only solid proof of cohabitation is our lease agreement.

Will IRCC scrutinize our relationship even if this is CEC and not spousal sponsorship? We are really debating on getting a good lawyer.

 

[Naturgrl]

You will show that you lived together continuously for one year. When were you common law? Include tax filing as common law. A lease is not a lot since bank account and insurance is not a year.

 

[Funchum143]

You will show that you lived together continuously for one year. When were you common law? Include tax filing as common law. A lease is not a lot since bank account and insurance is not a year.

Thank u for the reply. We started living together Feb 2022 -> Lodged student app Dec 2022 -> Flew to Canada April 2023 -> Immediately sent webform to update status and IRCC said you can declare it on your next application -> PGWP App 2023 declared common-law, in gcms my relationship status is common-law.

Our insurance is dated or started 2023 ish. We converted his bank account to joint early 2025.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank u for the reply. We started living together Feb 2022 -> Lodged student app Dec 2022 -> Flew to Canada April 2023 -> Immediately sent webform to update status and IRCC said you can declare it on your next application -> PGWP App 2023 declared common-law, in gcms my relationship status is common-law.

Our insurance is dated or started 2023 ish. We converted his bank account to joint early 2025.

So if you declared and been filing taxes in Canada as common law since 2023 then show lease, utlities etc. Unfortunately you don't have bank or insurance, only lease.

 

[Funchum143]

So if you declared and been filing taxes in Canada as common law since 2023 then show lease, utlities etc. Unfortunately you don't have bank or insurance, only lease.

We are not living together in Canada right now.

 

[Naturgrl]

We are not living together in Canada right now.

But you are common law so taxes filed since you came to Canada are as common law. You haven't lived together in 3 years but taxes will show common law status since you entered as common law and maintained that status.

 

[canuck78]

Thank u for the reply. We started living together Feb 2022 -> Lodged student app Dec 2022 -> Flew to Canada April 2023 -> Immediately sent webform to update status and IRCC said you can declare it on your next application -> PGWP App 2023 declared common-law, in gcms my relationship status is common-law.

Our insurance is dated or started 2023 ish. We converted his bank account to joint early 2025.

So you were common law before study permit was approved or you landed in Canada? Based on my interpretation of your posts you haven’t been living together since 2023 right?