Extending Visitor Visa

[zibi762]

Hello all,

My common-law partner has been "visiting" me here in Canada since June. As his 6-month period is going to be up, I'm working on applying for an extension.
I'm filling out the "are you eligible to apply online" questionnaire, and I'm confused by the questions "are you accompanying a family member who has status in Canada?"
When he arrived from the US, I was not flying with him, although he is staying with me here in Canada, so is it yes or no?
Thanks!

 

[KelseyTVS]

Have you only been living together since June? If so, you're not officially common law partners yet, and you would answer no to that question. If you have lived together for 12 full months and are common law, you would answer yes, as you are the "family member" that he is staying with

 

[Baffled]

First, you are not in a common-law relationship with your partner unless you have proof the both of you have lived/coincided at the same location for 365 days. Proof is a big deal here because you might have lived together for 365 days, but no one else will know this unless you can provide proof that you have.

Secondly, below is the definition of "Family Member":

Family Member
An applicant's closest relatives, in the context of an application to CIC. It is defined as a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children.

So, that takes us back to the first thing. Since you are not his common-partner, either you did or did not accompany him to Canada, the answer would be "No". Hope this clears it up some.

Baffled

 

[zibi762]

Thanks for the info!
We've been living together for the past 6 years abroad. I came back to Canada mid May, and then he was visiting his family in the US for a couple of weeks, and then flew up here. So problem issue showing the common law part - I was just confused by the word of the question, since I didn't arrive in Canada with him per se.

 

[KelseyTVS]

Okay, gotcha, so you are officially common law. Select yes for that question. If you click the question mark next to the question, it explains that "accompanying" means "staying with". So you are a family member and he is staying with you, so the answer is yes.