family sponsorship help please

[mjchamp34]

My name is Michael I am an American citizen, I have a pregnant girlfriend who is a Canadian I work a job online and she doesn't work because she's pregnant. we having been living together for about a half a year now with her family, after a year we were going to apply for my citizenship so I can stay in Canada and get a better. She was on Social assistance a little while ago and I have read that someone needs to have not been on social assistance fot at least 12 months, Is this a rule or recommendation? Can anyone please tell me some options I have thank you! Also would this interfere with my application for citizenship?

 

[Rob_TO]

Once you live together 12 continuous months you will be common-law and can apply for permanent resident status in Canada, NOT citizenship. You won't get citizenship until at least 4 years after becoming a PR.

The rule is, she can not be on social assistance at the time you submit the PR application. If she was on social assistance in the past 12 months then CIC will investigate it further and cause delays. It's advised to get off it as soon as possible so there are no complications when she applies for sponsorship.

 

[taffy7]

It is also a good idea to call to make sure she is off the list as some forum member have run into difficulties because of this . As ROB said you have to be living together for 365 days not 1 day less to apply for common law or get married.