My common-law spouse submitted her Skilled Worker Permanent Resident application in September. We have yet to to hear any feedback from CIC regarding this application. However, since then we've officially met the criteria for a common-law sponsorship.

I was wondering if we could also apply for permanent residence through family class sponsorship as well?

Would the process be faster through a spousal sponsorship?

What happens to the fees that she submitted in the Skilled Worker Permanent Resident application? Will she be refunded?

Thank you!

Have you considered the impact of the recent Ministerial Instructions on your partner's Skilled Worker application? That may be the best first step. If she remains eligible in that category, the intent of those recent changes is to expedite processing of cases, which may mean that concluding that application is the the more cost effective option, without necessarily losing time. If she is not eligible, then switching to the Family Class will be necessary.

If a new application is submitted in the Family Class, new processing fees will be payable, and the others will not be refunded.