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steveholt

Star Member
Mar 13, 2013
85
7
Hi all,

First time poster...I'm currently in the process of completing an application under the CEC. I have my IELTS results and my employer is drafting a letter for me based on the requirements set out my CIC so no worries there. What I am having difficulty working out is which forms I do/don't have to provide given I have a common-law spouse *but* she is already a Canadian Citizen as well as how the fee calculation works based on that.

In particular it appears to me that:

  • I do not list her as an additional dependant (other than as the spouse in my own section) on "Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)" as she is already a citizen.
  • We both fill out "Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)".
  • We both fill out "Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)".
  • We fill out "Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409)" together.
  • I fill out "Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)" with details for both of us.

Am I correct with regards to all of these? Do I need to provide additional documentation illustrating why she is on some forms but not others (IMM 0008)? Also with regards to fees the application guide states:

Principal applicant 1 x $550 $550
Each family member age 22 or older x $550

Am I correct in thinking that it's only the one $550 I need to include because my partner, although aged 22 or older, is already a citizen? Similarly do I need to include immigration spec. photos for both of us or just myself?

Sorry...so many questions for a first post, just want to make sure I get this right the first time :).
 
if your spouse is already a Canadian citizen, you do not include her as a co-applicant. So you do not need to pay a fee or have her complete the forms that an immigrant spouse would complete.

You do include her info on your "Additional Family Information" form.

You do need to add a written statement indicating that your common-law spouse is not included on the application because she is a Canadian citizen; I suggest attaching a photocopy of her birth certificate and/or passport.
 
jes_ON said:
if your spouse is already a Canadian citizen, you do not include her as a co-applicant. So you do not need to pay a fee or have her complete the forms that an immigrant spouse would complete.

Right, so in particular does that mean I don't need *her* to fill out "Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)" and "Supplementary Information - Your Travels" (obviously I still have to for myself)?

jes_ON said:
You do include her info on your "Additional Family Information" form.

Right, and so she doesn't need to complete and entire one of these herself either. Most of these questions are driven by the fact we've already rounded up the information to fill them *all* in for both of us and I am working out what actually belongs in the application at the moment :).

jes_ON said:
You do need to add a written statement indicating that your common-law spouse is not included on the application because she is a Canadian citizen; I suggest attaching a photocopy of her birth certificate and/or passport.

Right, I have photocopied her most recent passport and citizenship card for this. I am a little worried we wont have enough proof of our common-law relationship but maybe I am just being pessimistic (I am not even sure how much this matters in this case as she is already Canadian and I am very confident my work experience meets the requirements for CEC?).

I have joint leases for the time we have lived together, she is listed on my life insurance, we have photos together over a long period of time, but we do not have joint accounts/bills (we maintain separate accounts and share bills - I take one she takes the other kind of thing). We've never filed a tax return together either (the one due now will be the first).
 
steveholt said:
Right, so in particular does that mean I don't need *her* to fill out "Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)" and "Supplementary Information - Your Travels" ?

Exactly, those forms are for applicants. She is not an applicant.

Right, I have photocopied her most recent passport and citizenship card for this. I am a little worried we wont have enough proof of our common-law relationship but maybe I am just being pessimistic (I am not even sure how much this matters in this case as she is already Canadian and I am very confident my work experience meets the requirements for CEC?).

Won't be an issue since she is not an applicant, nor a sponsor.