How do they determine that you have been in a conjugal like relationship?

[ColorMePanda]

In common law obviously.

The only thing my partner and I have for now is credit cards in which we just got in November yet we have already lived together for a year.
Do we need to have had things like life insurance, joint accounts, etc for one year?

I mean it was kind of difficult to get some of this in the beginning of our relationship.
Or is that just to help show that you have lived together for 12 continuous months?
If that is the case, both my parents and my mom will be writing a declaration stating that we have lived in each house for x months in a real relationship.

I don't really want to have to wait a year from now just because we couldn't get anything jointly until now.
I mean will they take into effect that not everyone gets those things at the beginning of their relationship and is something that is accomplished over time?

I don't want to have to wait years just to qualify well for this category. I just wish my partner would marry me.

 

[Ssarah183]

The only evidence we had that we had been living together as common law was the lease I am on with the date stamp of when I was added. We also included my bank statments showing me paying my half of the rent. I was added to my Gf's insurance only after I had been here a year since they also required a year of continous co habitation. We got a joint account around that time too. When I sent the application I'd only been on the insurance for a few weeks and also only had a joint account for a month.

 

[ColorMePanda]

And you are approved right? As I can see in your timeline. What else did you include?
We are going to have his parents and my mom sign saying that they have witnessed us living in their homes for x amount of months. I guess that is where your lease came in handy.

I think we are going to see if his parents will make a lease just between us to include in it.
Does that sound like a good idea?

 

[Siouxie]

Sorry for butting in, but I am concerned.

You say here http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/question-pertaining-to-date-common-law-relationship-started-please-help-t30024.0.html that you have lived together for a year but from what I am gathering you have only lived together at your parents houses? As in he stayed with you at your Moms, and you have stayed at his parents house?

I am not sure that would qualify you for a common law relationship. Common law relationship normally means living together in your own apartment/house, sharing the costs and supporting each other financially, emotionally and phsyically. Staying with your respective parents isn't quite the same thing.

You both seem quite young judging from your "how can I get him to marry me" comments http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/considering-marriage-over-common-law-t30031.0.html and I really think you both need to take some time to make sure this is really what you both want. You also said there "But I know we do not have enough for common law but we definitely do going the spouse route."

You seem to be posting conflicting statements!

You also said "I told him though, I hate to disappoint him but if he isn't ready now then he isn't ever going to be. It will go by year after year and all I will hear is maybe in another year or two..... and .... If this doesn't get better then I might have to give up and move on"

That doesn't really sound like a committed relationship!

I don't mean to put a dampner on your hopes, but you should really get some proper advice before you make an application for immigration and take the time to think about all the consequences if there is any delay in the process.

Going through the immigration process is expensive and stressful - so please wait until you have everything in place before you make your application.

Not meaning to offend or upset you, I am just concerned for you both.

 

[diddagirl]

Siouxie- It doesn't say anywhere that you cant live with your parents. I am sure there is alot of people who have lived with their common law spouse and parents, for various different reasons.

That being said, to be in a common law relationship- its not just living together, like "roomates".
I pulled these off an immigration website:

"Citizenship and Immigration Canada look for the following elements to determine if a conjugal relationship exists:

* mutual commitment to a shared life;
* exclusive – cannot be in more than one conjugal relationship at a time;
* intimate – commitment to *censored word*ual exclusivity;
* interdependent – physically, emotionally, financially, socially;
* permanent – long-term, genuine and continuing relationship;
* present themselves as a couple;
regarded by others as a couple;"

So colormepanda, as you can see, financial interdependence is only a part of it. The letters of support from family/friends would help you guys demonstrate that you are both exclusive and present yourself as a couple. You yourselves, can each write letters attesting to your mutual commitment to a shared life etc... Also, show any plane tickets, or things that are solid proof of you traveling together or experience special moments together, as these will all aid your case. I think you are stressing yourself out far too much about this. Make sure you and the boy are ready for it (sounds like maybe he's not?), and focus your attention on that for now. Like siouxie said, immigration is a HUGE commitment. It's stressful, costly and requires a great deal of responsibility (primarily on the sponsors part- so your b/f). Make sure he is ready for that....

 

[Karlshammar]

I don't think living with parents is necessarily a barrier either.

Good point on the other issues, though.

 

[The Littlest Hobo]

Siouxie, I don't think you are butting in - CMP is asking for our opinions on all kinds of very serious issues and the questions themselves, as you pointed out, are telling us a lot about her and the relationship that we didn't ask and isn't really related to immigration.

Relationships can be hard especially when there are hurdles (e.g. immigration). For many people it takes practice, some go through a few long-term relationships before getting married until they get to know themselves and what they want (and still half of marriages don't last!). Many guys I know around 30 still feel and act too young for marriage. We don't know you CMP, and we cannot help you on a forum like this. I agree with the others, you need to chill out and cool down, behaving like this, acting hysterical and giving ultimatums is not the way to enter into a lifetime decision - it's understandable, the stress can affect any of us like this. But your issues do not belong here, we are supporting each other through the immigration process but your relationship issues are WAY off topic and I think it makes people uncomfortable to read this on here - your questions are the realm of close (girl)friends, mothers, real-life confidants, and counselors - not strangers.