brucem said:
I think shes getting confused Screech with all the inland/outland stuff.
Basically Charlie you have 3 options realistically:
1. Either you come to Canada as a visitor and spend 6 months not working but living together. You could then apply to have an extension to try and make your 12 months for common law status. Unfortunately you cannot work during this time and will probably die of boredom and quite possibly run out of money.
2. Apply for IEC next year. As with Becki this is what I did and I spent a fantastic year in Canada working and travelling with my now wife. Screech is right you cannot extend the IEC visa but you CAN apply for a further 12 months IEC visa as people are allowed two bites at the visa... and I've noticed a few other Brits who have done this. After your initial 12 months you can choose whether to apply inland or outland. If you search the forum there has been recent posts on people who were in exactly this position.
3. Apply for a study visa. Unless you have a few thousand in the bank forget it.
Personally I think the best option is number 2. You can work and travel and get to know your bf a bit better. Remember if you come as a visitor you cant work so making friends and associations will be difficult and you will be completely reliant on your bf for funds unless your parents can step in and help. Your first challenge is to get common-law status and once/if you manage that you can worry about inland/outland applications!
This was really a nice clear up - I was indeed getting so very confused, I just wanted someone to tell me what I could do, and how I could do it. 1 or 2 looks to be the better options! Just some questions on the IEC..
- I'm worried about it because I've heard that the spots for an IEC go in and around 30 minutes to 15 minutes.
- I hear there is no warning as to when they will be released, so it literally means being at the computer 24/7, refreshing.
Are these the cases?
In terms of the first option..
- When I have stayed for a year, do I need to apply for common law status around a month before the year finishes? Or after?
- Is this something I apply inland, or outland for (common law status AND visitors extension?)
- If my extension gets declined, and I am sent home. How long do I need to wait before I can return for another 6 months? On the CIC website, it says that the year we're together - I may be able to travel home for business/family issues, so what if rather than "extending" my visit.. I took a week or two to visit home for family, and then returned for another 6 months? Would that be allowed - and would that be approveable for common law status?
And totally off topic - I thought for PR I had to be in the country for 3 years? How long do we legally need to be "common law status" before applying for PR? If only there was a step-by-step guide into the nitty gritty.