IMM 0008 Q 13 - when did you enter into common-law relationship- CONFUSED! ><

[Ryathe]

Hi,

I'm so confused with all the explanations that the immigration gives for what is the beginning of a common-law relationship. ???

I started dating my partner in September, we started living together in December. - which of these dates is the actual "entering into common-law relationship"?

Please he~~lp! :

 

[Steph C]

Hi,

I'm so confused with all the explanations that the immigration gives for what is the beginning of a common-law relationship. ???

I started dating my partner in September, we started living together in December. - which of these dates is the actual "entering into common-law relationship"?

Please he~~lp! :

I would say that living together would be the start of your common-law relationship. The point at which you started combining your affairs. You have to be common-law for a year before you can apply.

 

[LeisaP]

Actually the start of your common-law is the date that you have been exactly 1 year together

so for us we moved into our new apartment together december 1, 2010. so december 1, 2011 is the day we entered our common-law relationship and signed our common-law declaration.

hope that makes more sense for you.

 

[Ryathe]

Thanks for your replies!

I also thought that it counts from one year since we started living together, so in our case December 2011 (we started living together December 2010).
BUT then I went for the advice to one of these governmental organizations that help new immigrants and the lady there, who sponsored her husband from Dominican Republic, told me that it has to be counted from the very first day when we started dating.

Eh....i think I may have to call immigration to clear this out, I hope they know.

 

[KJG]

common-law commences from 1 year from the date you are living together....dating does not count in this respect....you must be in a matrimonial like relationship and physcially live with each other for 1 year before being deemend common-law spouses......

 

[Huxley1234]

Looks like we have two answers here. Can anyone confirm whether common law starts AFTER 1 year has passed, or on the day you started living together?

Anyone confirmed with a lawyer or gov't?

 

[KJG]

Looks like we have two answers here. Can anyone confirm whether common law starts AFTER 1 year has passed, or on the day you started living together?

Anyone confirmed with a lawyer or gov't?

I work for a lawyer....common law starts the day you reside together and must be a continous relationship for the full year......you cannot count dating or weekends spent at each others homes...it must resemble a matrimonial relationship in all respects...except the obvious of course

 

[Huxley1234]

Sorry KJG – but your answer completely contradicts the previous answer you gave.

Do you enter your common law status ON THE DAY you start to reside together, or EXACTLY YEAR FROM THEN.

Sorry for the all caps – just trying to be clear. Thanks!

 

[KJG]

Sorry KJG – but your answer completely contradicts the previous answer you gave.

Do you enter your common law status ON THE DAY you start to reside together, or EXACTLY YEAR FROM THEN.

Sorry for the all caps – just trying to be clear. Thanks!

sorry...one year from the date of commencement of living together you may be considered common law for immigration purposes.....but it must be continual with no separations.....i.e. fight and one party moves out for 1 month........so you move in together Sept 1/12 and you are considered common law Sept 1/13.........

 

[Huxley1234]

sorry...one year from the date of commencement of living together you may be considered common law for immigration purposes.....but it must be continual with no separations.....i.e. fight and one party moves out for 1 month........so you move in together Sept 1/12 and you are considered common law Sept 1/13.........

Got it! Thanks for clarifying

 

[LaylaLala]

Oh my goodness!! I've been looking for this answer! Thank you so much! If you don't mind me asking, on the Application to Sponsor Document, part C of question 6 asks to provide the date on which you entered into the relationship (meaning conjugal). Is that the same as the common-law status? Thank you in advanced for your help!

 

[Rob_TO]

The definitive answer to the common-law question is in Guide 3900 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp

b.Enter the date (year, month, day) you were married or you entered into your current common-law relationship.

Note: This is the date your status officially changed from being single to common-law, not the date you started living together.

The only time info on Conjugal is as follows:
You can sponsor a conjugal partner if:
•you have been in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months where marriage or cohabitation has not been possible due to barriers such as sexual orientation, religious faith, etc.

So it seems for conjugal the same 1 year minimum applies. Although this will be 1 year since you started dating, since there is no moving-in-together time to start counting from. I think the date you enter on the app is the day you started dating, since "conjugal" is not an official status like common-law or married is.

 

[frenchie57]

Oh my goodness!! I've been looking for this answer! Thank you so much! If you don't mind me asking, on the Application to Sponsor Document, part C of question 6 asks to provide the date on which you entered into the relationship (meaning conjugal). Is that the same as the common-law status? Thank you in advanced for your help!

When we filled the application out we wrote,
for common-law: 1 year after we moved in together
for the relationship: the day we started dating

 

[LaylaLala]

Thank you both so much!