Becoming Common-Law in Canada

[Jules2075]

I am a Canadian Citizen and my boyfriend of 3 years is British (England). We are hoping he can immigrate to Canada under the family class, but need to become common-law first. Neither of us want to get married just so he can immigrate, so common-law would be the next best thing.
What is the best way to do this? Does he come to Canada on a visitors permit and then request an extension while here for an additional 6 months so that we can claim common-law? He has enough funds saved up to be able to come for a full year and not work. Or should we start by having him apply for a work visa and see if he can find a job here first.

I'm very new to this process and find the immigration Canada website to be a bit confusing at times.

Any help would be appreciated!!
Thank you!!!

 

[Carlaganda23]

Its better for him to come to Canada with work permit visa if he can get it, either way he can come here as a visitor for 6 months and extend it here. I heard a lot of stories here that they extend their visa just for them to get qualified for common-law.

Dont forget to gather many proofs as you can like joint lease agreement, joint back account, CRA changed to common-law effective within a year u live together so you can send it with your application next year.
Goodluck!

 

[little_apple]

Its better for him to come to Canada with work permit visa if he can get it, either way he can come here as a visitor for 6 months and extend it here. I heard a lot of stories here that they extend their visa just for them to get qualified for common-law.

Dont forget to gather many proofs as you can like joint lease agreement, joint back account, CRA changed to common-law effective within a year u live together so you can send it with your application next year.
Goodluck!

Carlaganda23 is right. Collect as much proof as possible. We had a joint bank account after 10 months of common-law (which is still early in my opinion, never had that before in my life) and Vienna doesn't like it. They requested more documents to proof our common-law status. They want joint utility bills, a joint bank account, joint rental agreement... Everything right from the beginning of you two living together.

And no problem to get several tourist visa in a row when he comes from GB. He could even come here on a Working Holiday Visa in case he's not too old.