So you’re in a long-term relationship and planning to sponsor your partner for PR in Canada—but you haven’t lived under the same roof every single day. You’ve shared rent, bills, and holidays, but your living situation has shifted over time due to work, school, or family. You’re not alone. Many couples face this: real love, real commitment, but a messy paper trail.

Immigration doesn’t care about feelings—it wants proof. And for common-law sponsorship, that means showing cohabitation for at least one year, *in the same household*, with shared life evidence. Even if you lived together for 18 months but split for 3 months due to a job transfer, it can still count—but only if you can explain and document it.

Here’s what helps:

1. Shared leases or rental agreements (even if you’re not on the same lease, a letter from the landlord helps)

2. Joint bills (electricity, internet, phone) showing the same address

3. Bank statements with joint accounts or regular transfers

4. Photos, emails, or shared calendars showing consistent cohabitation

But what if you’ve lived apart for a few months? Or shared a home with a roommate?

That’s why we need your real stories:

1. How many months did you live together continuously?

2. Did you ever split for a few months—why?

3. What kind of evidence do you have that shows shared life (not just visits)?

4. Are you in a province with stricter rules, like Quebec or BC?

This isn’t about perfection—just about showing a pattern of shared life. If you’ve been together 2 years, split for a job, then moved back in, that can still work. But you need to explain it clearly.

If you’re in the middle of this process, share your province, your timeline, and how you’re proving cohabitation. No need to post your UCI, passport, or bank details—just the facts that help others like you. Let’s learn from real cases, not just rules.