IMM1344EA - question 8a, date when the relationship started

[missmini]

hi everyone,

hope I can get some feedback from those who filled these forms already; for this question 8a, I check I am in common-law relationship but for the date when the relationship started it's unclear for me if they need the date when we started to be together or when we started to be together as common-law (live together); I tend to think that they want the date when we started to live together but I want to be 100% sure

sorry if the question was asked before, i did search first but I'm still not sure and also the guides don't cover this question; i guess they think it's straightforward :

thank u!!

 

[QCSunshine]

I personally would put when the actual relationship started and then make a note there referring to a longer note/letter/essay/timeline that explains the detailed development of the relationship from the beginning to the present. We did one of those relationship histories from each of us to show each person's perspective.

 

[angelbrat]

I put down the date when our relationship started. I then added a note of the date we started cohabiting as a common law couple.

It worked for me, I got PR in less than 8 months Inland.

Good Luck ;D

 

[scylla]

I did what others have suggested as well. Definitely use the date when you relationship actually started. We included other key details (when we started living together, when we married, etc.) in our detailed relationship write-up.

 

[BeShoo]

I believe that they want the date that your relationship became marriage-like (i.e. the date you moved in together). They are not much interested in the exact date when you started dating or anything like that, but the exact date when your relationship became marriage-like (conjugal) is very important because it must be at least 1 full year before the date of your application.

 

[missmini]

ya BeShoo I was thinking of the exact same reasons especially because if u would be married and check the married box they would ask the date when the marriage started not when the relationship/dating/knowing one another started...on the other hand, the period before the cohabitation they could see u as conjugal partners not having the possibility to live together (which would be true in our case); of course the cover letter explains all the history and if i can i would put a note like angelbrat suggested...

thank u all for feedback; good luck for u also!!

 

[BeShoo]

Maybe I'm in much the same position as you. Depite what my signature has been saying, I now qualify for common law as of today, so I was too slow filing and will now file as common law. We will actually send the forms off next week, because we have better proof for next week's date (issuance of a visitor record).

There is difficulty in terminology involved. It used to be that federal laws used the term "common law marriage" but IRPA replaced this is "common law partnership" (provincial laws may still use "common law marriage"). I'm quite sure that they want to know about your "common law relationship" in the same way.

Once you file in the "common law" category, any previous date that you began a "conjugal relationship" is largely irrelevant, because the application has to be in one class only. The only way it is really relevant is that your relationship spanned a period of time and you didn't just invent it out of the blue because your wife/husband hired you to get them into Canada. (It does happen.)

Of course, all of this will be clarified in your notes and cover letters, anyway.

 

[canadianwoman]

I think they mean when you actually moved in together - just like your wedding date is when your marriage started, the date you moved in together is when your relationship as a common-law couple started.
However, it is best to include a note explaining what you mean. If you put the date you first met, but include a note explaining this and also stating when you moved in together, then no problem. If you put the date you moved in together, also include a note explaining when you first met, etc. A timeline of your relationship somewhere in the application is a good idea.

 

[missmini]

you didn't just invent it out of the blue because your wife/husband hired you to get them into Canada. (It does happen.)

hahaha BeShoo i laughed at this, but yeah unfortunately it does happen and genuine people get hurt from them anyway, that's for another discussion;

I think they mean when you actually moved in together - just like your wedding date is when your marriage started, the date you moved in together is when your relationship as a common-law couple started.
However, it is best to include a note explaining what you mean. If you put the date you first met, but include a note explaining this and also stating when you moved in together, then no problem. If you put the date you moved in together, also include a note explaining when you first met, etc. A timeline of your relationship somewhere in the application is a good idea.

thank u, canadianwoman, a timeline of the relationship is a very good idea no matter how much u want to emphasize dates in the supporting letters and essays, it's much clear also a table with the important moments of the relationship; also, like this they can also see easier how the relationship spanned over a period of time like BeShoo sugested

all the best