Common Law

[MountainMan256]

If I was to become a common law partner with my girlfriend (live with her for one year) It says things to show that we stayed together are bills we have shared. What if I am not paying any of the bills? Can I show them the plane ticket there and maybe pictures of us living together? Also, If I after a year, were to come back to the US for a month or a few, would she have to sponsor me as if I am living in Canada? Or like I am living in America?

 

[scylla]

Plane tickets and photos don't prove you are living together. You need hard proof to show that you are cohabitating. This can include: joint lease, joint utility bills, joint bank account or credit card showing the same address, mail sent to the same address, etc.

If your are in America, she would sponsor you outland.

 

[MountainMan256]

Well if I have my parents send letters to me could I use those? Since the housing is under her name and I am not paying for it I cant show that. So what options do I have?

 

[mikeymyke]

I don't know if the pics of you guys living together and the plane ticket would be enough proof for CL, as the plane ticket just shows you came to Canada, not that you're living in Canada with her. Same goes with the pics, you could just be simply "hanging out" at her place rather than living.

 

[MountainMan256]

Well what options do I have?

 

[Ponga]

Well for starters, you can give us more information.

Have the two of you started to live together yet?

If not...is marriage an option?

 

[MountainMan256]

No we are planning on it soon, like next month. I would like to avoid marriage for now unless necessary.

 

[Ponga]

Well, start by seeing if you can get on the lease, or rental agreement, if nothing else as an authorized occupant. A joint bank account will help (which is easy to do, even if you aren't `living' in Canada).

A lot can happen/change with CIC by the time you are eligible to apply for Common-Law sponsorship (~ 13 months from now). Just keep up with the changes, here.


Good luck.

 

[canadianwoman]

You need solid proof you are living together. If you cannot get on the lease, try to get joint utility bills. Or some bills could be in your name, and some in hers, with the same address. A joint account and joint credit cards are good. Keep a year's worth of bills, bank account, and credit card statements, showing the same address. Any mail you two get - to both of you, or again, some to her and some to you - at the same address can also be used. For non-official mail, keep the envelopes to prove the date it was actually sent.

You need proof like the above that covers 12 continuous months.

 

[FB_9192]

When I started living with my common-law partner in Brazil (January 2015), I was on a tourist visa so I couldn't get my name officially added to things until I got my permanent residence in the country, which was about 5 months later. Additionally, we were living as subletters in a house with other people, so my partners name wasnt even on the lease. So to show proof of co-habitation for the first five months, I included notarized declarations from the lease holders saying we had been living there together as a couple. I also included my plane tickets and passport stamps showing when I arrived, and photos of us together.

So far I haven't had any problem with just including this information; however, I also included other documentation from after that period including joint lease, bank account, Brazilian statement of common-law, PR issued on basis of common-law Union from when my status changed in July 2015.

Anyways, my point is I think it could work for you, but try to get some type of official document if possible. Also if you can get mail addressed to you at that address, or even better, addressed to both of you at that address that could help you as well.

 

[dungski]

You need solid proof you are living together. If you cannot get on the lease, try to get joint utility bills. Or some bills could be in your name, and some in hers, with the same address. A joint account and joint credit cards are good. Keep a year's worth of bills, bank account, and credit card statements, showing the same address. Any mail you two get - to both of you, or again, some to her and some to you - at the same address can also be used. For non-official mail, keep the envelopes to prove the date it was actually sent.

You need proof like the above that covers 12 continuous months.

Hi! Am on TRV, can I apply or open a bank account with my partner? Please share a link where to go as I have been checking online to no avail. Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Hi! Am on TRV, can I apply or open a bank account with my partner? Please share a link where to go as I have been checking online to no avail. Thank you.

Yes - you should be able to open a joint bank account. There is nowhere to check online. You have to visit an actual bank branch with your partner.