PR Application: Long Term Relationship without Marriage

[20perhour]

Hello!

My partner of more than 10 years has been in Canada for almost three years now, first as a student and now with a work permit. If I understand correctly, she should be eligible to apply for PR as Foreign Skilled Worker under the Express Entry Program. We were planning to tie the knot last 2020 but COVID-19 happened and I was not able to fly to Canada.

How should I be declared in the absence of a marriage certificate?

Thank you so much!

 

[armoured]

Do you live together? How long?

 

[20perhour]

Do you live together? How long?

Hello! Unfortunately, we are not able to because she is in Canada now and I am still in the Philippines. Cohabiting is taboo in the Philippines for unmarried couples and our families are very traditional. We do share a joint bank account though.

 

[armoured]

Hello! Unfortunately, we are not able to because she is in Canada now and I am still in the Philippines. Cohabiting is taboo in the Philippines for unmarried couples and our families are very traditional. We do share a joint bank account though.

Do you have a currently valid Canadian visa? Can I assume you've never lived together? Have you ever visited Canada?

 

[20perhour]

Do you have a currently valid Canadian visa? Can I assume you've never lived together? Have you ever visited Canada?

I don't currently and haven't yet. I can apply for a tourist visa as early as September after I have renewed my passport. The closest I can get is maybe by the border as I currently still have a valid US visa.

 

[armoured]

I don't currently and haven't yet. I can apply for a tourist visa as early as September after I have renewed my passport. The closest I can get is maybe by the border as I currently still have a valid US visa.

Not clear when your fiancé(e) will apply for PR under express entry, but short answer is that currently I believe you are just fiancé/boyfriend/girlfriend. (Complicated here as possilby you could be considered conjugal partner - but I honestly don't know how that works with express entry, I think that conjugal partner sponsorship is only used for PRs sponsoring their spouses).

Very important: if you have EVER lived together more than 12 months, your partner would have to declare you as common law.

Honestly brief suggestion is that if you and your partner can travel to and get married in USA or Canada, that will be MUCH simpler. (Being married may affect points under express entry)

If that seems impossible or impractical, apologies, your case has enough specifics I do not know.