I am a South African citizen starting my Phd at the University of Toronto in September 2013, and am struggling to find out if my partner of five years and I qualify as having a common-law union.
We lived together in August and September 2008, but my partner then left for the UK to do his Phd, and only returned to stay with me in August 2012. During the time he was in the UK he spent a few months visiting here in SA every year, and I would spend a few months visiting him in the UK every year.
According to what I've been able to gather from the CIC website Canada considers two people common-law partners if they've lived in the same place for more than 12 consecutive months. As I've just explained this is not the case with us, and I would like to know how flexible this definition is, and if we would in any way qualify. If we do not qualify, what is the best route to follow to get my partner in Canada?
We have general proof of the relationship for the years 2008-2012 (plane tickets to visit one another, trips taken together, money moving between our accounts, letters, emails, statements by family and friends), and proof of living together in SA from October 2012 onwards (shared household expenses, accounts going to the same address, etc). Is there any hope for us to qualify as a common-law union?
We lived together in August and September 2008, but my partner then left for the UK to do his Phd, and only returned to stay with me in August 2012. During the time he was in the UK he spent a few months visiting here in SA every year, and I would spend a few months visiting him in the UK every year.
According to what I've been able to gather from the CIC website Canada considers two people common-law partners if they've lived in the same place for more than 12 consecutive months. As I've just explained this is not the case with us, and I would like to know how flexible this definition is, and if we would in any way qualify. If we do not qualify, what is the best route to follow to get my partner in Canada?
We have general proof of the relationship for the years 2008-2012 (plane tickets to visit one another, trips taken together, money moving between our accounts, letters, emails, statements by family and friends), and proof of living together in SA from October 2012 onwards (shared household expenses, accounts going to the same address, etc). Is there any hope for us to qualify as a common-law union?