Common Law - Dependant

[DJ1234]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are both applying for the CEC. We both qualify under our individual professions & experience. We became common law a few weeks ago as we have been living together in Canada for 1 year. My question is should we only make one application for PR under the CEC with one of us being the principal applicant and the other a dependent?

Also what makes someone a dependent - once we are applying as common law does that automatically make us dependents of each other?

Any advice on the best way to go about it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

J

 

[ZingyDNA]

If you both qualify under CEC, then either way is fine. The one who is not the principal applicant is the dependent. You should choose the one who can make a more straightforward case for the VO as principal.

 

[jes_ON]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are both applying for the CEC. We both qualify under our individual professions & experience. We became common law a few weeks ago as we have been living together in Canada for 1 year. My question is should we only make one application for PR under the CEC with one of us being the principal applicant and the other a dependent?

That would be the cheapest route. If you both apply, you would be required to apply with the spouse on each application. That could increase your chances of being approved, but it would be expensive.

Also what makes someone a dependent - once we are applying as common law does that automatically make us dependents of each other?

Only for the purpose of the CIC application. Don't read too much into it. It just means that the principal applicant will be evaluated for program eligibility, the "dependent" only needs to eligible for entry (e.g. meet the security/criminality/medical requirements).