Common Law Partners - with a roommate?

[KelseyTVS]

Hey everyone quick question. My American partner will be moving to Canada soon. We will be living together in a two bedroom apartment, so obviously we'll be sharing one room. We are also thinking of having a roommate, to help with the finances. One of our close friends will be living in the second bedroom. Once we've lived together for a year and are common law, we will apply for PR.

I was wondering if the roommate will affect our application. There's nothing in the common law definition that says you have to live alone together. But will CIC see our relationship as less "marriage-like" or more suspicious somehow. All three of our names will be on the lease, but I thought maybe I could print out the lease for the application and put a note on it that says she is a friend renting our spare room. Thoughts? Does anyone have experience with this? Please share any info you have. Thanks!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

There is no issue with having a roommate.

 

[KelseyTVS]

Thanks Canuck! Do you know this for sure from experience or are you assuming because there's nothing on the CIC website about it?

 

[Lons]

CIC defines common-law relationships as... "That means living together for one year without any long periods where you did not see each other. Either partner may have left the home for work or business travel, family obligations, and so on. However, that separation must have been temporary and short."

You can live anywhere, with anyone, for any amount of time as long as you and your partner are together. This includes living in your respective family's homes as well. That being said, there's is a cohabitation requirement in the application. You'll have to prove that you're common-law with a joint-lease or other forms of "proof" (i.e. same address on driver's license, same address on joint bank account, both names on utility bills, etc) No big deal having a roommate, but make sure your and your partner's name is on things. You have to prove you're cohabitating.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks Canuck! Do you know this for sure from experience or are you assuming because there's nothing on the CIC website about it?

Many couples become common-law while living with other people. Most commonly, people live with one set of parents. There is no issue with this.

 

[KelseyTVS]

Thank you!