chances of extending 6 more months (in my situation)?

[yogini]

Hi all, hope to get some insights from you guys.

I am a foreigner, I met my Canadian boyfriend while traveling in Canada. We are both in our late 20s' and he just got laid-off (as a full-time trades guy) shortly after we met. To make the story short, we have been saving money, try to cut down expenses, stay home most of the time and we have been living together for 4 months now, and as our relationship is growing strong, my time in Canada is running short. As a visitor, I can only stay for 6 months and currently i have less than 2 months left in Canada for my current visa, and i am eligible for applying extension for up to 6 months. Yet, here comes the problem, my boyfriend is currently unemployed, he has no job but he does rent out extra rooms in his house to get money; i am a visitor and i cant work to make money! I can see that it will make it harder for me to apply for extension. I have printed out the form, it asks about the reason to stay in Canada, i wonder:

1) Is it possible to stay longer JUST for my boyfriend/ our relationship?
2) Do they care if my boyfriend have a job?
3) How much money (minimum) do i really need to show them that i will be able to support my living in Canada for extra 6 months without the support from my boyfriend or anyone?
4) I am hoping that after another 6 months, we will be able to get into the category of "common laws" after living together for 1 year in total, and hopefully he will get a job by then and he will be able to sponsor me?

I know getting marry is another option, but we dont want to rush into it.

Please advise.

 

[matthewc]

1. Yes, provided you have sufficient means to support yourself without working.
2. They care if you can support yourself, or have support available to you. If your bf isn't working, you need to be able to support yourself legally.
3. I don't believe there is a set amount - ask yourself "are my savings enough to live off, and then fund leaving Canada at the end of the 6 months", and "would someone else consider this reasonable". If the answer is yes to both, you're probably OK.
4. Don't mention that - if they think you're trying to stay in Canada long enough to qualify as common-law, then stay permanently, that could cause problems.

 

[yogini]

Thank you so much for yr reply, i recently got my visa extended for another 6 months (until the end of May 2011). I did exactly what you suggested me to do , provided all the info they needed, and now i am very happy. My bf started to work again this month (January) and i hope he will secure the job.

Just want to give some good news for those who are trying to extend their visitor visa.

Good Luck everyone!