msmith1789 said:
We started going out together when we were 15 and then I moved to Canada when I was 18 at this time and prior to, we both lived with our parents. I am 100% confident we can prove we did not live together before I became PR/Citizen.
In regards to what sfeire said "there can be problems with the sponsorship if you haven't declared a common-law or spouse previously" - how/when/where would/Should we have declared ourselves to be common-law partners? - I mean, we are both 23, just began living together in February this year, which is why we are submitting the application late february 2013. - Should we be worried if we didn't let the government know "we are living together as common-law as of x day of x month of x year"?? -
To be honest, this has just thrown me down another alley now, where it's not clear as to my understanding - any further advice is much appreciated.
YOu don't need to declare that you have been living together when you started, you will need proofs that you do live together now. As for what the other posters explained, if it doesn't apply to your case, it will be apparent from your application. If you have never lived together before (shared an address, even with other people etc), then you're good to go. From what you say, it seems to be the case, so no worries. It was mentioned because there has been a few cases of people posting about that on the forum, and they are always difficult cases. If it's not applicable to you, you can do the application on your own, and with help from the forum too, you should be good.
One thing - the police certificate have a 3 months validity - you need to send them to CIC 3 months from the date they were issued. If you send it in February, you're good, but just keep that in mind.
Medical certificate - it has a one year validity, which means that if you do it "early" ( as in your case), you will have one year from the date of medicals to land (unless CIC decides to give you an extension, which is always a possibility). My advice is : get everything ready, and as soon as you turn 1 year common-law, send your application in, otherwise you might have to re-do some police certificate or medicals exams later on.
Also - pay the full amount right away : 1040$, you can choose not to pay the RPRF but it will delay your file at the end, so if you can, pay everything up-front.
Good luck on your application ( and welcome to London VO thread!),
Sweden