Hello, I’m Dave, I’m Scottish and my partner, Kelsey, is Canadian. We met years ago when Kelsey was studying in Scotland and have been in a long distance relationship because Kelsey had to return to Canada after her studies. But in April 2016 I had saved up and quit my job in the UK and came across to Canada to be with Kelsey - I arrived in Ontario and we drove to BC and then up to Yukon - glorious!
In October 2016 we both left Canada to attend my sister’s wedding in Europe, and we came back together a week later. Both times I’ve arrived as a tourist. We’ve been living together this whole time, either airbnb, with Kelsey’s parents, camping, and since October we’ve been renting together in Vancouver and this is where we are currently (Kelsey is the only one named on the lease right now…)
So by April 16th 2017 we will qualify as ‘common law’ partners - great! But my tourist status expires on May 3rd — and we are both worried that this is sooo tight…
This forum has great advice and I’ve read a lot, but everyone’s case is different, so I am just wondering if anyone has any good advice in this case.
Is common law the most assured way to go for us? I hear visa sponsorship by me getting a job offer is much harder?
Should I be applying for an extension to my tourist status? If so, at what point should I apply? Or should I just hope that I get an acknowledgement of receipt back from the CIC within that 17 days...? It's tight..
Kelsey is in full-time employment in Vancouver. I can survive for a while on savings, but I’m keen to start working in Canada too. So am also wondering if there’s a temp work permit I can apply for… that would be even better than a tourist extension. But again that gap is so tight. Should I send an application for a temp work permit straight after the common-law application?
CIC is so comprehensive, and I really appreciate this forum for advice!
With thanks, Dave.
In October 2016 we both left Canada to attend my sister’s wedding in Europe, and we came back together a week later. Both times I’ve arrived as a tourist. We’ve been living together this whole time, either airbnb, with Kelsey’s parents, camping, and since October we’ve been renting together in Vancouver and this is where we are currently (Kelsey is the only one named on the lease right now…)
So by April 16th 2017 we will qualify as ‘common law’ partners - great! But my tourist status expires on May 3rd — and we are both worried that this is sooo tight…
This forum has great advice and I’ve read a lot, but everyone’s case is different, so I am just wondering if anyone has any good advice in this case.
Is common law the most assured way to go for us? I hear visa sponsorship by me getting a job offer is much harder?
Should I be applying for an extension to my tourist status? If so, at what point should I apply? Or should I just hope that I get an acknowledgement of receipt back from the CIC within that 17 days...? It's tight..
Kelsey is in full-time employment in Vancouver. I can survive for a while on savings, but I’m keen to start working in Canada too. So am also wondering if there’s a temp work permit I can apply for… that would be even better than a tourist extension. But again that gap is so tight. Should I send an application for a temp work permit straight after the common-law application?
CIC is so comprehensive, and I really appreciate this forum for advice!
With thanks, Dave.