Urgent question regarding common law sponsorship

[Ealasaid]

Hey guys!
So here's the situation- my job is transferring me to Toronto in mid december from Los Angeles. My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half, living together just over a year, but I only have our current lease going back 8 months as proof. He moved into my last place with me last november, but everything was already in my name. I can provide sworn statements from our friends and his former roommates, we have a loan and a bank account in both of our names, and I am listed as the beneficiary on his union life insurance policy. Is there anything we can do to improve our chances of qualifying, short of getting married?
We have freelance work more or less waiting for him there (we both work in film), don't know if that helps any.

Thanks so much!

 

[Rob_TO]

Hey guys!
So here's the situation- my job is transferring me to Toronto in mid december from Los Angeles. My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half, living together just over a year, but I only have our current lease going back 8 months as proof. He moved into my last place with me last november, but everything was already in my name. I can provide sworn statements from our friends and his former roommates, we have a loan and a bank account in both of our names, and I am listed as the beneficiary on his union life insurance policy. Is there anything we can do to improve our chances of qualifying, short of getting married?

When he first moved in with you in November, were you renting a place at the time? If so can you still contact the landlord, and ask them to write you a declaration that he was living with you then even if he wasn't on the lease? Or does the loan/bank acct/his personal mail, have any statements dated from last November that were mailed to your shared address?

I also did a common-law app, and since I already had a mortgage in my name when I met my partner, she was never on any lease or mortgage papers (since it's impossible to modify them before the term is up). So that is not the only proof that matters, as we were still approved with no problem. I think what helped our case the most was that I added her as my common-law spouse to my work benefits after 1 year, and also showed we both changed our tax status with CRA to common-law.

We have freelance work more or less waiting for him there (we both work in film), don't know if that helps any.

Not sure who is the Canadian and who is the PR, but if it's your partner that is the applicant make sure he doesn't work in Canada (even freelance) without getting the proper work permit first.

 

[Ealasaid]

Thanks for the reply! We are both American, but my company is sponsoring me. My previous landlord was not aware I had anyone living with me, and since it was technically a single occupancy unit I'm a bit afraid to ask her. Unfortunately none of the shared accounts go back that far, though I'm hoping maybe the life insurance benificiary change might not have a date on it...
Definitely not going to have him work without a permit. What are his options if they won't approve his permit at the border?

 

[Rob_TO]

Ahh ok. Actually you are then posting in the wrong section as yours isn't a family sponsorship situation. Sounds like your company is just sponsoring you for a work permit, not for Canadian PR. I think you should be asking any questions under the Foreign Worker section.

From what I've heard, CIC/CBSA won't do an extensive check for proof of your common-law status. For partners of foreign workers they pretty much take you at your word or with just minimal proof that you're a common-law couple. Even just doing the "Statutory Declaration of Common-Law" official form, may be good enough. But best to ask in the Foreign Worker section.

As long as your work in Canada qualifies under Skill Level 0, A or B, then he shouldn't have any problem getting a work permit at the border.