Sponsoring my girlfriend via common-law

[AnthonyDomenic]

So how can you proved that you lived in the same address together then?

Check this out for the list of requirements from IRCC:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

Like I said above – for 6 months we lived together but the lease was under my name. We can get a written letter from the landlord saying she had lived with me for those 6 months. Now we have lived together another 8 months with both our names on a lease agreement.

 

[AnthonyDomenic]

For your info:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...lass-determining-spouse/assessing-common.html

Thank you but I've read all this. Im specifically asking about the validity of our proof that I outline in my last response.

 

[scylla]

Like I said above – for 6 months we lived together but the lease was under my name. We can get a written letter from the landlord saying she had lived with me for those 6 months. Now we have lived together another 8 months with both our names on a lease agreement.

What evidence do you have other than the lease? Ideally you should have a few different types of evidence that date back at least a year to show you have shared an address for that long. You would be in better shape if you had a joint lease for all 12 months rather than relying on the landlord letter for 4 of those months.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you but I've read all this. Im specifically asking about the validity of our proof that I outline in my last response.

You haven't actually outlined your proofs. All you have mentioned is the partial lease, the extension letter and "previous mail". Provide a list of what you actually have with dates.

 

[AnthonyDomenic]

You haven't actually outlined your proofs. All you have mentioned is the partial lease, the extension letter and "previous mail". Provide a list of what you actually have with dates.

I can give you more detail -

First Lease under my name: Jan 2018 - Aug 2018. I can get written letter from landlord saying my girlfriend lived with me that entire time.
Second Lease Aug 2018 - Current. Both mine and my girlfriends name on the lease.

We both had a gym membership that was coming out of my personal account from march 2018 - july/august 2018.

We have a bunch of mail receipts going to my girlfriend at my first address.

We have money transfers ranging from Jan 2018 - Current, going from between our personal bank accounts via wire transfer and/or paypal.

 

[AnthonyDomenic]

What evidence do you have other than the lease? Ideally you should have a few different types of evidence that date back at least a year to show you have shared an address for that long. You would be in better shape if you had a joint lease for all 12 months rather than relying on the landlord letter for 4 of those months.

I gave more detail to a response below. 12 months would be more idea for sure but we are pressed for when we can do this unless she applies for a second visitors extension. What are you thoughts on the additional details I gave below as being enough proof?

 

[scylla]

I can give you more detail -

First Lease under my name: Jan 2018 - Aug 2018. I can get written letter from landlord saying my girlfriend lived with me that entire time.
Second Lease Aug 2018 - Current. Both mine and my girlfriends name on the lease.

We both had a gym membership that was coming out of my personal account from march 2018 - july/august 2018.

We have 3-4 mail receipts going to my girlfriend at my first address.

We have money transfers ranging from Jan 2018 - Current, going from between our personal bank accounts via wire transfer and/or paypal.

- Lease is good. You must obtain the letter from your landlord for the remaining period.
- I'm not sure I see how the gym membership demonstrates cohabitation. All that shows is that you are paying both of your gym memberships. I don't think this is evidence of cohabitation.
- What are the dates of these mail receipts? Do they go back at least one year?
- Money transfers don't prove cohabitation.

 

[AnthonyDomenic]

- Lease is good. You must obtain the letter from your landlord for the remaining period.
- I'm not sure I see how the gym membership demonstrates cohabitation. All that shows is that you are paying both of your gym memberships. I don't think this is evidence of cohabitation.
- What are the dates of these mail receipts? Do they go back at least one year?
- Money transfers don't prove cohabitation.

Gym membership and money transfers were more as an example of shared funds. I was reading a bunch of different resources saying that could be useful?

The mail receipts date back since January 2018

 

[smallcoffee]

You can also change your status as common-law on the Canada Revenue Agency website and show a printout

 

[scylla]

Gym membership and money transfers were more as an example of shared funds. I was reading a bunch of different resources saying that could be useful?

The mail receipts date back since January 2018

Shared funds show you are in a relationship. They don't prove cohabitation.

 

[canuck78]

You can also change your status as common-law on the Canada Revenue Agency website and show a printout

He has to change his status to common law for CRA. Save whatever you have like email shipping receipts with her name on it. Whatever prof you have especially from the beginning of your relationship. Shared funds is not necessary. Many don't share funds.

 

[AnthonyDomenic]

Shared funds show you are in a relationship. They don't prove cohabitation.

Okay good to know. So based on the proofs I said we could put together, do you think it qualifies as enough proof?

 

[canuck78]

Okay good to know. So based on the proofs I said we could put together, do you think it qualifies as enough proof?

Can't say. The more proof the better. Being from the US there isn't a ton of incentive to move to Canada so that helps your vase.

 

[AnthonyDomenic]

He has to change his status to common law for CRA. Save whatever you have like email shipping receipts with her name on it. Whatever prof you have especially from the beginning of your relationship. Shared funds is not necessary. Many don't share funds.

Yes i plan to change my status to common law with the CRA as well.

 

[deisand]

Yes i plan to change my status to common law with the CRA as well.

If she was here since December 2017, then you can already file your taxes showing her as your common law partner for 2018. It will be better proof than just the printout of the CRA account page.