I am a Canadian citizen and want to bring my bf to Canada

[MickaelSM90]

Hello!

I am a 23 year old Canadian and I would like to know my options on how to get immigrant status for my boyfriend. We met 4 years ago in Portugal and have been dating for over 2 years now. He has come to visit various times and I have stayed for extended periods of time there. We've already been told that the fastest and easiest process is by getting married and then apply for sponsorship, but we want to keep that option as a last resort for now (doesn't mean it won't happen in the future). He is currently waiting on his last grade to complete his bachelor in software engineering, and wants to find a job here in Canada so that we can move in toghether.

Can we be considered common law and go through the sponsorship even if we didn't tecnically live toghether for a full year, but have proof that we've known each other for a long time and dated for over 2 years?

 

[Rob_TO]

Can we be considered common law and go through the sponsorship even if we didn't tecnically live toghether for a full year, but have proof that we've known each other for a long time and dated for over 2 years?

No you can't. You must be married or have lived together 12 continuous months to be common-law, before you could apply to sponsor him for PR. Those are your only 2 options.

Otherwise if he wants to work in Canada he'll need to try and find a way to get a work permit independently.

 

[MickaelSM90]

So how does one prove we've been living together for over a year? Since he can't work, therefor no income, it will be hard to find a place of our own. Will both of us living with my parents for a year qualify him to be sponsored as common-law?

 

[Rob_TO]

So how does one prove we've been living together for over a year? Since he can't work, therefor no income, it will be hard to find a place of our own. Will both of us living with my parents for a year qualify him to be sponsored as common-law?

Yes living with your parents would certainly count. You would just need to have an official rental agreement with them that would serve as the proof (you can just create an agreement yourself).

Of course if he's just a visitor here he would be stuck doing nothing for an entire year (unless he gets a study permit to go to school, or something like a working holiday/IEC permit to work).

 

[redfox05]

Me and my girlfriend are in the same position! We should have a chat. Message me

P.s. I'm also in the software engineering field (graduated with a Masters in Computer Science)

Hello!

I am a 23 year old Canadian and I would like to know my options on how to get immigrant status for my boyfriend. We met 4 years ago in Portugal and have been dating for over 2 years now. He has come to visit various times and I have stayed for extended periods of time there. We've already been told that the fastest and easiest process is by getting married and then apply for sponsorship, but we want to keep that option as a last resort for now (doesn't mean it won't happen in the future). He is currently waiting on his last grade to complete his bachelor in software engineering, and wants to find a job here in Canada so that we can move in toghether.

Can we be considered common law and go through the sponsorship even if we didn't tecnically live toghether for a full year, but have proof that we've known each other for a long time and dated for over 2 years?

 

[89_gard]

So how does one prove we've been living together for over a year? Since he can't work, therefor no income, it will be hard to find a place of our own. Will both of us living with my parents for a year qualify him to be sponsored as common-law?

Not sure how you'd be able to pull that off in the first place. Software engineering is reasonably in demand so he can try applying for a work permit or see if a company will sponsor a work permit.

Otherwise he can try to continue his studies in Canada (expensive route).

Just remember its important to show ties to back home while coming in on a study visa or visiting as a tourist.

 

[Finley]

I would suggest that he apply for a working holiday visa through the IEC or contact SWAP to check his eligibility. http://www.swap.ca/in_eng/