Question about updating marital status in my PR application

[Cacameoww]

Hello all,

I submitted my H&C PR application about a year and a half ago, and at that time I indicated that I was single.

Last month, I entered into a common-law relationship. My partner is already a Canadian permanent resident.

I would like to ask: when updating my marital status through the IRCC webform, what supporting documents do I need to provide? In addition to the IMM5409 form, should I also include utility bills or other documents showing our shared address?

 

[armoured]

Hello all,

I submitted my H&C PR application about a year and a half ago, and at that time I indicated that I was single.

Last month, I entered into a common-law relationship. My partner is already a Canadian permanent resident.

I would like to ask: when updating my marital status through the IRCC webform, what supporting documents do I need to provide? In addition to the IMM5409 form, should I also include utility bills or other documents showing our shared address?

I don't know your situation with the H&C application - so take these points with caution and speak to a lawyer (esp if you already have one) if you are uncertain.

Important question: when you say you 'entered into a common-law relationship', do you mean you began living with each other recently? Or more than a year ago, i.e. you have been living together for more than a year?

Assuming more than a year i.e. you are already common law (for IRCC purposes):

-Yes, you would update IRCC with info about marital status. If you are NOT 'including' your spouse as a part of your application (which you cannot, because your partner is already a PR, so basically there is no further info to provide except notification).

-BUT: if you are already common law, frankly you should have your partner sponsor you. Your H&C application could take a very long time.

Important: I do not know if you must withdraw your H&C app before submitting spousal sponsorship, and I do not know if your status in Canada is linked in any way to your H&C app.