Should I marry or stay common law?

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Subject: Should I marry or stay common law?
  My girlfriend (Canadian citizen and common law) have lived together for the past six yeas in the states, she has been on a student visa. She has finished her studies and gone back to Canada and is ready to sponsor me. We signed one lease together, and have some photos of us but no joint bank accounts or big purchases as we were college students. Would it be better to remain common law and apply with little documentation to prove that we have been together for several years or marry in Canada but or marriage date would be right before my application submission which I feel could look suspicious?
[30-11-2007,01:10]
[**.167.114.114]
Steve
(in reply to: Should I marry or stay common law?)
I am hearing stories where commonlaw applications have been denied but the minute they were married - everything went through. If marriage is part of your relationship picture - I would get married. The ´formalization´ of your relationship combined with a long standing commonlaw relationship should resolve any doubts by CIC.

I would not concern myself with proximity to timing of the application. You are insuring CIC views your relationship in the same way you do - genuine and enduring.

[30-11-2007,01:28]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon
Thanks so much, just one more question (in reply to: Should I marry or stay common law?)
Thanks so much for the super fast reply. We have been planing to get married for a while but just did not have enough money. I am working in the states now, and she is working in Canada. We are both university degreed but have less than a year of work experience. Do you think the lack of work experience would be a problem because we would be applying as family class? Lastly, I have earn salary of $45,000 US but she is only making around $18,000 CAD. Do you think this is a problem in terms of her being my sponsor? Could her father co-sign or would that make a difference? Thanks again so much we have really been stressing out about this for a while. We are afraid of applying and getting denied and being stuck apart. This is the first time we have been apart for an extend period of time and I really want to move up there soon. Thanks again.
[30-11-2007,01:38]
[**.167.114.114]
Steve
(in reply to: Should I marry or stay common law?)
income or work experience is not a qualifyer in family class sponsorship - as long as she is not on social assistance, you are fine. I would strongly urge you to apply as ´out of Canada´ applicants. She is in Canada, you are in the US. 2 reasons. 1) it is faster. 2) if something goes wrong you have a chance to appeal.

You may attempt to visit Canada but make sure you can convince the border services you have a good reason to return home. Don´t hit the border with a car full of furniture.

[30-11-2007,01:45]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon
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