Common Law Sponsorship questions/advice.

[Luap88]

Hi everyone,

I found this forum today and thought it would be a good place to come and ask some questions relating to my scenario.

I've been with my partner (Canadian 28 year old, I'm British and 29) for a couple of months and just got back from visiting her for 12 days. It feels like we're very much in love and want to be together permanently, preferably in Canada. Obviously things can change but right now we're both sure that we want to be together.

From what I've read online, conjugal sponsorship isn't a possibility for a Brit and a Canadian due to how easy it is for Brits to go to Canada visa free for up to 6 months.
I'm wondering if I'd be able to travel to Canada and live with her for 6 months, then leave and come back for a second consecutive 6 months so that we qualify for a common law sponsorship after we've lived together for 12 months?
Am I right in thinking that whilst I'd be unable to work in Canada, there would be nothing stopping me from working online for a non-Canadian company whilst there?
I'm also wondering how easy it is to get through the Canadian border if I'm planning on staying for 6 months, and if it's possible to leave and come back again for a second 6 months?

Let me know if you want to know anything else that would help provide answers to my questions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

You would have go be living together for an uninterrupted 12 month period. Not 6 + 6 with a gap. Being a Brit conjugal sponsorship isn't an option.

Look into the IEC (International Experience Canada) programme. I got a work permit through participating in that programme twice. I am unsure of the age restrictions etc as its changed since I took part in it. The applications are only accepted at certain times of the year I think, so read up on it. It's a very popular programme for people wanting to come to Canada. That would allow you to live together for a year or more, you'd be working and after the year you could apply for common law PR sponsorship.

 

[Luap88]

You would have go be living together for an uninterrupted 12 month period. Not 6 + 6 with a gap. Being a Brit conjugal sponsorship isn't an option.

Look into the IEC (International Experience Canada) programme. I got a work permit through participating in that programme twice. I am unsure of the age restrictions etc as its changed since I took part in it. The applications are only accepted at certain times of the year I think, so read up on it. It's a very popular programme for people wanting to come to Canada. That would allow you to live together for a year or more, you'd be working and after the year you could apply for common law PR sponsorship.

Thanks for the response. I've been speaking with my girlfriend tonight about options and she seems to agree that IEC is the best first option to go for. I'm still within the age restrictions for that as well, but this seems to be the latter stage of this round so I think I'm better off keeping track of when the next round opens.
Was it easy for you to apply and get accepted through that programme? It seems like quite a few people apply for it and that selection is random?

If I were to travel to Canada and live with her for 6 months, would I have the option of extending my stay beyond that 6 months visa free or would I have to leave? What if I left and came back a week later to do a second 6 months, or would I have issues getting back in again?

 

[sylvain1]

Thanks for the response. I've been speaking with my girlfriend tonight about options and she seems to agree that IEC is the best first option to go for. I'm still within the age restrictions for that as well, but this seems to be the latter stage of this round so I think I'm better off keeping track of when the next round opens.
Was it easy for you to apply and get accepted through that programme? It seems like quite a few people apply for it and that selection is random?

If I were to travel to Canada and live with her for 6 months, would I have the option of extending my stay beyond that 6 months visa free or would I have to leave? What if I left and came back a week later to do a second 6 months, or would I have issues getting back in again?

Before your 6 months expire, you can apply to extend your status as a visitor.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

I'm not sure how the application process is for IEC now is. When I did it it was first come first served but now its rounds and pools as you mentioned. One of the other forums would probably be able to tell you more.

 

[canadianwoman]

You can come to Canada as a visitor. They usually let people from the UK in for 6 months. About one month before this expires, you can apply to extend your stay. There is no need to leave and come back. However, if you want to, a short time spent away would not break the 12 months needed for common-law status. 'Short' means one week, not a month.

 

[Luap88]

You can come to Canada as a visitor. They usually let people from the UK in for 6 months. About one month before this expires, you can apply to extend your stay. There is no need to leave and come back. However, if you want to, a short time spent away would not break the 12 months needed for common-law status. 'Short' means one week, not a month.

Thanks for the information, so what would I say when I first get to the country and the border person asks me how long I'm staying for? Surely if I say 6 months they won't let me in?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the response. I've been speaking with my girlfriend tonight about options and she seems to agree that IEC is the best first option to go for. I'm still within the age restrictions for that as well, but this seems to be the latter stage of this round so I think I'm better off keeping track of when the next round opens.
Was it easy for you to apply and get accepted through that programme? It seems like quite a few people apply for it and that selection is random?

If I were to travel to Canada and live with her for 6 months, would I have the option of extending my stay beyond that 6 months visa free or would I have to leave? What if I left and came back a week later to do a second 6 months, or would I have issues getting back in again?

Note that the IEC is far from guaranteed if you are from the UK. There are far more applicants than openings available. There are very few spots still available for this year. Having said that, definitely enter the pool and maybe you'll get luck next year. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/selections.asp?country=gb&cat=wh

 

[Luap88]

Note that the IEC is far from guaranteed if you are from the UK. There are far more applicants than openings available. There are very few spots still available for this year. Having said that, definitely enter the pool and maybe you'll get luck next year. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/selections.asp?country=gb&cat=wh

Yeah I'm thinking I should enter the next pool and see what happens. If I want to enter the pool for 2018 should I make a profile now or wait for the 2018 pools to be opened and then make one?

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

Yeah I'm thinking I should enter the next pool and see what happens. If I want to enter the pool for 2018 should I make a profile now or wait for the 2018 pools to be opened and then make one?

I would make on now and familiarise yourself with what documentation/items/info you need when you do apply so you aren't scrambling last minute.

It's different from when I applied so I can't advise, but that seems like the most sensible thing to do.

 

[canadianwoman]

When you enter Canada you will be coming as a visitor. If you are planning to visit for 6 months, you should have proof of ties to your home country, such as a job to go back to, a lease or mortgage or house title, bank accounts, investments, etc. - anything that will show you intend to go back home. You should also have a return ticket with a specific date, and proof of sufficient funds.
Some people say they are going to visit for a shorter time, such as a month, and have a ticket with a return date in a month's time. Once you are in, you can then stay longer - the border agent will probably give you 6 months, and if not you can apply to extend it.