Definition of Family Members and Living together?

[Dango]

Hello, my wife and I are currently in the process of completing application forms for Family Class Sponsorship and needed some help, if anyone is kind enough to answer it would be truly appreciated. On the Sponsored Spouse/Partner Questionnaire, question number 27. asks "Have you and your Sponsor lived together?"

What would be their exact definition of living together? We have lived together for a total of nine months, but in blocks of 3 months in my country, 3 months in hers and so on. There was no permanent change of address for either of us, or official relocation as we were each on visitor visas. Despite cohabitating for a total of 9 months, does this still mean we have not officially lived together?

On the country specific form for Western Europe, number 7 states: "Provide national identity cards, birth certificates, baptismal certificates or other official document confirming relationship for you and each of your family members." Other questions also use the term 'family members', such as "Supply eight ( 8 ) recent photos for each member of your family and yourself." What do they mean by family members here? Is it for her mother, father, siblings? Or is it for her and our daughter and myself (her husband) only? Does she (the applicant) also need 8 photos of herself?

Thanks again in advance for the help!

 

[rhcohen2014]

honestly, it can go either way, so pick what feels right for you. in your answer, you can explain the fact even though you cohabitated for 9 months, you don't consider it living together since you were both visitors in your respective countries. when I filled out my application, I had put no for living together because like you, I only visited for certain periods of time and didn't consider it "living together". others will disagree and believe that you have indeed lived together, so really it's subjective. there really is no right or wrong answer as long as you tell the truth and explain why you believe one way or the other.

as for "spouses and family members", that is referring to anyone being sponsored in the application for PR. This does not mean the spouse that is the sponsor. So, in this case, "family members" means your wife, and if your daughter is also listed as a dependant, it includes her. if your daughter is a Canadian citizen, then she is not included in the application, and does not count.

For the pictures, only your wife needs to submit the pictures. If your daughter is included in the application because she also needs to be sponsored, then you need to submit pictures of her too. You, as the sponsor do NOT need to submit pictures. these pictures are what are used to issue the visa and pr card.

 

[brucem]

Hi Dango,

Personally I would just list the addresses you stayed at for each of the three month periods. You could include a covering letter explaining your situation and why you were moving from place to place, if you have plane tickets or stamps in the passport you can include those as evidence. It would be more of an issue if you were common law but since you are married you are just providing evidence of your ongoing relationship. As Rhcohen said there's no exact answer just go with what you think is best.

From your previous posts as your daughter is canadian it is only your wife that needs to submit the photos.



Bruce

 

[Dango]

Thank you again, Bruce, thank you so much rhcohen for such a thorough and easy to understand answer! You are all so helpful and make a big difference.