Leon said:Yes, it is becoming common that people are going to Canada on a visit visa to live with their partner and applying for an extension after 5 months. I do believe the extension is granted for another 6 months but of course what you can do is request the extension until a certain date based on wanting to qualify for a common law relationship. If your extension were denied, then you would be in the position to apply as conjugal partners based on real immigration barriers. And then of course you can apply for another extension when the 2nd one is running out. You have to make sure to keep yourself legal in Canada while you wait for your PR and continue to apply for extensions if they are about to expire on you.
You can not apply as common law partners until you have lived together for 12 months. Joint lease, joint utilities, joint insurance, joint bank account etc. will all help proving your relationship as well as having mail at the same address to prove that you really live together.
Sorry to hijack another users thread, but I am researching every possible angle to find a solution to legally reside with my sweetheart in Canada. Information I have gotten from this thread puts us closer to that solution. I have read so much that I think my head will explode. Just when I think I have it figured out, I get confused all over again. Being from the US, I know I don't need a Visa to visit him and for us to start living together. However, I would need/want to work as well. It looks like I could apply for a Temporary Work Permit, but have I misread? If I could apply for a permit and work, then I could apply for an extension to remain in Canada, using the "exploring the relationship" reason?