Should I admit relationship & common law plans in tourist visa extension or no?!

[Londoner]

I'd really appreciate any help and advice on this, as I have been given completely conflicting information and am really confused. I'm a UK citizen and been in Canada for coming up to 6 months on visitor status.

I'm living with my partner and am now applying to extend my visitor status for another 6 months. The reason is so that we can spend more time together, travel around Canada and ultimately so that we can qualify for the 12 month common law sponsorship route.

I just can't work out what I should put on the forms though, because on the one hand I've heard that if you admit you're in a relationship and have plans to stay you may be refused an extension but I have also been told that if and when you apply for PR they will cross-reference the forms and it will look very odd that you didn't name your partner as one of the people you are here to visit! But if I name him on the form they can see that we live at the same address. Also I would much rather just tell the whole truth, but not if it means I can't stay in the country with my partner!

Does anyone know what the rules actually are or have any experience of being either granted or refused a visitor extension having said they are in a relationship or have any advice - it would be so much appreciated!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

There have been several people who have had extensions approved by specifically stating that they want to become common-law with their partner or want to explore their relationship more. Be sure to include plenty of proof that you can support your extended stay (savings or partner's wage slips) and you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[Londoner]

Thanks Canuck_In_UK - I've seen that a few people have used this as the reason but others said you specifically shouldn't use this as the reason as it makes it clear you don't intend to leave at the end of the stay which makes it impossible for them to grant you an extension. What you say makes perfect sense and I think that is the route I will go down just because I don't feel comfortable not telling the truth, but I'm still nervous about it.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks Canuck_In_UK - I've seen that a few people have used this as the reason but others said you specifically shouldn't use this as the reason as it makes it clear you don't intend to leave at the end of the stay which makes it impossible for them to grant you an extension. What you say makes perfect sense and I think that is the route I will go down just because I don't feel comfortable not telling the truth, but I'm still nervous about it.

Any dealings with immigration is a cause to be nervous. You would be just as nervous if you decided to not tell the truth, no?

You are visa-exempt, from a country as equally developed as Canada, so you aren't really seen as an overstay risk, even if they are aware that you intend to apply for PR.

 

[Londoner]

Thanks for replying, I agree with what you say completely, it's always hard when it means so much to you! Anyway I have sent of my application so happy to update with the outcome if it helps and gives useful information to others.

 

[amhel26]

Hi, is great to know some people are in the same situation, so what did you specified as the purpose of your stay? did you explained this on and extra letter?

Also if you dont mind me asking, did you mentioned a date of departure or any details about your plane ticket or return home?


Thank you so much, im just trying to do same as you and do as more research as i can.
Good luck with your application! You did it online?

Thanks

 

[Londoner]

Hi Amhel26 - I agree it is nice to know that other people are in the same situation. I just filled in the form honestly and said that I wanted to stay longer to travel around Canada with my boyfriend and friends, I didn't specifically say anything about wanting to get 12 months for common law because it seemed a bit forced saying that as that's 6 months down the line. I'm hoping that this was the right thing to do! I applied via mail so I won't know anything for a while but I'm happy to let people know the outcome if it helps.

 

[Londoner]

I just wanted to give an update on this for anyone who reads the post and is in a similar position - I applied by post for the visitor extension and was sent a visitor record for a year from the issue date. There's no letter or explanation by the way, just the paper. Seems like being honest was the best way to go which is nice to know

 

[Regina]

That was easy!

Congratulations!

 

[Londoner]

Thanks It's a big relief!

Next step is working out how long I'm allowed to leave the country for on trips (eg. to visit friends and family overseas and do my 'chores' back in the UK) without it negating the common law status I'm working towards. Been trying to call CIC for a few days to no avail, so if anyone happens to know, please point me in the right direction!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks It's a big relief!

Next step is working out how long I'm allowed to leave the country for on trips (eg. to visit friends and family overseas and do my 'chores' back in the UK) without it negating the common law status I'm working towards. Been trying to call CIC for a few days to no avail, so if anyone happens to know, please point me in the right direction!

i think you can be separated for 2-3 weeks max and anything longer will risk your commonlaw status. if your partner travels with you for longer trips, i believe it still counts toward commonlaw. my suggestion is to go on the family sponsorship board and pose your question there. most people use that board more frequently, and there are a lot of commonlaw couples who post. There may already be threads dedicated to this question.

 

[Londoner]

Thank you, yes that's what I thought, I'll explore the other forum! Cheers.

 

[Regina]

it negating the common law status I'm working towards

I think it depends on frequencies of you absences and the length of them. Also how do you support your relationship long distance? Married couples also live separately sometimes because of job and so on, so you need to keep some proof that you are still a couple even if you travel a lot.

 

[Londoner]

Thanks for your reply, I called the CIC to clarify and in this case spoke to a helpful person who said that it is simply based on common sense, if you need to travel to your home country or overseas for a specific reason, or for your work (as I do) and can prove this when it comes to the time as long as it adds up and you haven't had lots of long absences this should be fine. It is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' answer but makes sense and I don't want to be away from my partner for lots of long periods of time anyway