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amhel26

Star Member
Feb 10, 2014
151
3
Hi.
I was doing the partner questionnaire and some questions came up, i was hoping someone can help me.
We are applying as common law.

In the questions referring to was there a ceremony to celebrate the relationship or next one was there a reception?
if you answer no what you gave as an explanation? like we are in common law and planning to get married at some point so i dont really know what to say about not celebrating the relationship, what have others done on this question?

Now in dates of periods of cohabitation. can someone help me make sure im putting this right/
We were separated for a month, during the year of common law, i was told in another post it shouldnt be a problem since we are proving he came with me to mexico, stayed for a week and then he came back to canada for work and i stayed in mexico for work for one month and we kept contact all time so it shouldnt break the common law (does anyone has a different opinion??)
so, for periods of cohabitation my question is.
we lived together in canada for 3 months.
then one week together in mexico...do i add that to the end of last date? like it doesnt matter where is just when we stop living together?right?
our date of separation was 23 september 2013

and i got back to canada on 25 october 2013 and we have been together since then.

are our dates of cohabitation
15 june 2013 to 23 september 2013 or do i have to separate the week in mexico?

and then 25 october 2013 to (what you put when is still going? the date you fill this paper? or what date to show is up to today?


Also, at the begining it asks if your sponsor meet any of close friends or family. i put yes and added dates he meet friends, however he havent met family members since he has never been in the city they live at. Im planning to explain that in another paper but should it be explanation part of this specific question or do i add explanation about my family knowing about him but not meeting him in my statement or where is the best place to explain this?

and the last thing, how do other applicants normally add the explanation pages..do you put the number of question, write question again on top of explanation page? do you write anything in the actual application like separated sheet attached??

Thank you soooo much!!!!!!!
 
Hmmm...

I don't know. A full month of not being together during your common law year may very well be regarded by CIC as a sufficient break to re-starts your common law count. If it had been a 2 week break - then you would be fine. I don't know about a month. I think that may be too long.

Probably a good idea to hear a number of opinions on this since it could impact when you apply.
 
About the celebration, just indicate that it isn't standard/customary for people to celebrate becoming common-law in your culture. That shouldn't be an issue.

I would be concerned about the month break though.

Most people tend to put the date the paper was filled in, then hand-write "to present" on it.

If one of you hasn't met the other's family, explain why. If they live far away, say so.
 
Thanks for the answers, i will do that and now im worried about the month, i even open another post since i want to make sure its not a reason to not accept my application.
Thank you!
 
amhel26 said:
We were separated for a month, during the year of common law, i was told in another post it shouldnt be a problem since we are proving he came with me to mexico, stayed for a week and then he came back to canada for work and i stayed in mexico for work for one month and we kept contact all time so it shouldnt break the common law (does anyone has a different opinion??)
so, for periods of cohabitation my question is.
we lived together in canada for 3 months.
then one week together in mexico...do i add that to the end of last date? like it doesnt matter where is just when we stop living together?right?
our date of separation was 23 september 2013

and i got back to canada on 25 october 2013 and we have been together since then.

Regarding the 1 month break, nobody on any message board or anywhere else can tell you for certain if it will be a problem or not. The only person's opinion that matters, is the visa officer that will be reviewing your file. Since there is no specific length of time allowed to be apart and the manual only says "temporary and short", the decision here is entirely up the the personal opinion of the VO.

Just know that people have been denied in the past for a 1 month break during common-law qualifying. Others have been approved. So you'll need to proceed with app at your own risk.

IMO, I would wait until Oct 25, 2014 to do your common-law app, since that will give you a full 12 months with no breaks to worry about. 1 month separation out of 12 is a long time, and generally the consensus is anything over 3 weeks you are asking for trouble.
 
Thank you so much for your answer, im definitely considering that, is not worth risking it. Now have to wait again.
I really appreciate taking your time to explain what you know, thanks Rob.