Appendix B – The Evidence that Officers Would Need to Consider
Term |
Definition |
Evidence of Cohabitation | Officers would need to use the following documents to confirm whether a sponsored spouse or partner is cohabiting with their sponsor:
It is worth mentioning that these elements could be present in varying degrees. As such, officers would not need all these documents for proving cohabitation. This list is also not exhaustive. Therefore, officers have the ability to consider other evidence available. Cohabitation typically means to live together continuously. However, situations could arise where one or the other partner might leave the home for work or business travel, family obligations and various other purposes from time to time. Ideally, any periods of such separations must be temporary and short. Officers could refer to section 5.35 of OP 2 for additional information. |
Evidence of a Conjugal Relationship | Officers would need to consider various factors when determining whether the sponsored spouse is in a conjugal relationship. These factors could include:
It is worth mentioning that this list is a set of elements that the officers would need to consider as a whole or in various combinations. This is because these elements could well constitute evidence of interdependency. In addition, officers would need to remember that these elements could be present in varying degrees. As such, not all these elements need to be present for them to consider a relationship as conjugal. Officers could refer to section 5.26 of OP 2 for a list of elements and examples of supporting documents that officers could take into consideration in this scenario. |
Evidence of Abuse or Neglect or that the Sponsor Failed to Protect from Abuse or Neglect | In situations involving abuse or neglect, the officers would need to rely on the following documents:
The list given above is not exhaustive in nature. The authorities have specified these items merely to provide examples. |
Evidence of Death | In the event of the death of the sponsor, the officers would need to accept the following types of documents as evidence:
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