6 Situations That Can Get Your Common-Law Sponsorship Refused 2025
Common-law sponsorship is a crucial option for couples who are not married but have lived together for at least 12 months. In practice, many applications are refused due to seemingly “minor” details.
If you are preparing your application, here are 6 real-life situations that often lead to refusals – and advice on how to avoid them.
- Living together 8 months, then “long distance” for 6 months
K. and his girlfriend lived together in Toronto for 8 months. She then had to return to Vietnam when her visa expired, and they were apart for 6 months. When they reached 12 months in total, they applied, thinking it was valid.
❌ Wrong. IRCC requires 12 continuous months. Any gap breaks the eligibility.
👉 Tip: If there’s a break, the clock resets. Don’t add up separate periods. - Living with friends or family
A couple shared an apartment with two friends to save costs. The lease and utility bills were under someone else’s name. Their application only included photos and romantic messages.
❌ IRCC cannot tell if it’s “cohabiting as partners” or just “sharing a house.”
👉 Tip: Have legal documents with both names. If not, include a landlord’s letter or witness statements. - Having a child together but still refused
D. thought having a child was the strongest proof. But the application was rejected because they lacked cohabitation evidence: no shared address, no joint finances, no social proof.
❌ Having a child isn’t enough. IRCC wants a full picture of the relationship.
👉 Tip: Provide legal, financial, and social evidence together. Don’t rely on a single factor. - Address inconsistencies
H. wrote her new address on the sponsorship forms, but her work permit and bank records still had her old address. When IRCC compared, they flagged inconsistencies and asked for explanations.
❌ Even small contradictions create suspicion and months of delays.
👉 Tip: Review all documents before applying. Keep your address history fully consistent. - Lack of social evidence
P. had a joint lease, shared bank account, and utility bills. But almost no photos with family or friends.
❌ IRCC suspected it was an “arranged relationship” for immigration purposes.
👉 Tip: Don’t skip social evidence. Photos, joint events, letters from relatives – all matter.
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