Few detailed questions for Common-Law Sponsorship USA to Canada

[Nie]

Hi! I'm planning to start an application soon (Visitor Visa/TRV from USA to Canada, then common-law partner sponsorship inland).
I have a few questions that I'd like to clear up before starting and would greatly appreciate any advice!

1) As a US citizen, do I have to apply for the actual TRV from US to Canada, considering we don't have to apply for visas for entry up to 6 months? For example, could I cross from the US to Canada, specify 180 days on my declaration sheet, and then apply for a visitor visa extension a couple months later to fulfill the 12-month requirement to apply for a common-law sponsorship?

2) Is the extension usually granted for this purpose, or is it more likely to get the extension if I specify "exploring relationship" as stated in a previous post? Let's say it takes them 2 years for the whole process, is it likely to keep getting extensions until my PR process is complete? + If at any point my visitor visa extension is denied, what happens to my PR application?

3) What is the best way to prove my intent to return if my PR or visitor visa extension is denied, so that the border officer lets me through? I have no intentions of skirting any of the rules or applications to stay with proper status. However, I don't have many provable ties to the US and if I'm intending to stay long enough to apply for PR, it's a waste for me to buy a round-trip ticket for the 180 days specified on my declaration, rather I would buy a 1-way and would willingly buy a 1-way back to the US if either my extension/PR was denied and I was asked to leave Canada as a result. I've been going back and forth between the US and Canada for 1-2 weeks at a time every few months, and have never had issues with crossing the border or overstaying or anything like that if that will make any difference.

4) I am a part of a real estate partnership that owns more businesses in the US, does that prove intent to stay even though I am not the sole owner? Since I am selling one of my business properties that I resided at, I will not have any utility/cable bills or anything like that in my name. I will stay with my parents in the time between selling the business and going to Canada, as well as if my PR or visitor visa extension is denied and I have to return to the US.

Thank you so much in advance! I just want to be prepared so no surprises come up in our application process.

 

[KBH]

Hi,

1) As a US citizen you will have neither a visitor visa nor a TRV. You are completely visa-exempt and require nothing but your passport to enter Canada as a visitor. Once you approach the end of your six month stay, you would apply to extend your stay online. The document issued to you at that point in time stating the new date you must leave Canada by is called a visitor record.

2) Yes, extensions are usually granted multiple times to Americans with no issue. You should be honest on your application and state you need to stay to complete 12 months of cohabitation and establish common-law status with your partner. If your extension was denied and you applied for PR inland, you would need to leave Canada and would lose your application and have to start over. If you apply outland, nothing would happen to your PR application if you needed to leave Canada.

3) You don't have to worry about much here. If you've already been crossing without issue, just keep doing what you have been doing. They are very lax in general when it comes to Americans visiting. Just make it very clear to them you're aware that you either need to apply to extend, or leave, after 6 months.

4) Not really, but you can certainly carry proof of business ownership with you if you would like to be able to produce it if they request proof of ties.