Sponsorship query

[eruka]

Hey there!

I've got a couple questions I couldn't find clear information on so far and would like to figure out my options.
I am currently a visitor in Canada living with my boyfriend. I would like to extend my stay and work here, however as a couple we do not want to get married yet. Can he still sponsor me? If not, what other options have I got? Thanks.

 

[Naturgrl]

He can only sponsor you (assume he is citizen or PR) if you are common law so one year of living together continuously (with proof). You are not eligible for a work permit unless you can find an employer who files for a LMIA. Employer pays $1000 and proves no Canadian or PR could be hired. Then you apply for a closed work permit.

 

[YVR123]

Hey there!

I've got a couple questions I couldn't find clear information on so far and would like to figure out my options.
I am currently a visitor in Canada living with my boyfriend. I would like to extend my stay and work here, however as a couple we do not want to get married yet. Can he still sponsor me? If not, what other options have I got? Thanks.

If you have yet extended your stay, I assume that you haven't stayed in Canada with your boyfiriend for more than 12 months in a marriage like relationship (with proof). So the quick anwer is no. There is no route to get a work permit because you are dating someone in Canada.

If you have special skills/experience and can find an employer. They can file for a LMIA and apply for a close work permit for you. (that's not related to your boy friend at all)

Is your boyfriend a PR of Canada or a Canadian citizen?

 

[eruka]

Hey! Thanks for the answers. Yes, he is a citizen. We've been dating online for over a year, would have traveled here sooner but that was not possible because of Covid. We don't want a common in law sponsorship, we wanted to go for conjugal if possible. I only worked as tech support in my country of residence, but I would be willing to learn new skills of course. I've only been in Canada for a couple weeks, we wanted to see if we'd work out in person and we do, so I would like to stay longer than the 6 months visitor period. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[scylla]

Hey! Thanks for the answers. Yes, he is a citizen. We've been dating online for over a year, would have traveled here sooner but that was not possible because of Covid. We don't want a common in law sponsorship, we wanted to go for conjugal if possible. I only worked as tech support in my country of residence, but I would be willing to learn new skills of course. I've only been in Canada for a couple weeks, we wanted to see if we'd work out in person and we do, so I would like to stay longer than the 6 months visitor period. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you

Conjugal is a non-starter since there is nothing preventing you from getting married or becoming common law. If you apply as conjugal, you'll be refused.

You need to either get married or live together for a year to become common law before he will be able to sponsor you.

 

[YVR123]

Hey! Thanks for the answers. Yes, he is a citizen. We've been dating online for over a year, would have traveled here sooner but that was not possible because of Covid. We don't want a common in law sponsorship, we wanted to go for conjugal if possible. I only worked as tech support in my country of residence, but I would be willing to learn new skills of course. I've only been in Canada for a couple weeks, we wanted to see if we'd work out in person and we do, so I would like to stay longer than the 6 months visitor period. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you

If you want to see if you two would work out in person, then you are not ready to get married nor become common law partners. I would personally suggest to spend more than couple of weeks to decide on that.
Conjugal is basically the same as married but there are factors that stopped you to get married or become common law. (e.g. war, immigration, same sex partner in countries that's illegal to have same sex marriage/relationship)

Then he's not ready to sponsor you as a spouse. It's a big commitment to sponsor a spouse to become PR.

Does your country has working holiday visa? Would you consider and have the mean (internation student titution is not cheap) to pay for further your study in Canada?

If so, then you can try to study here, get better skill, get PGWG and apply PR on your own. (Express Entry...etc)

You can also try to extend your stay before the 6 months visitor status expiry. But it's never guarantee if it will be approved or not.

 

[eruka]

Thanks for the insight once more. There are far too many details (of personal nature) why we won't get married. I can clearly understand he cannot sponsor me and that's okay. Moving on what are my options to actually remain here legally for those 12 months so that then he can apply for me. Thanks and sorry if the question offended anyone we're just trying to find our way legally, that also works for us

 

[eruka]

I already am in Canada and would like to legally remain here for him through any means possible. I assume my only option is LMIA?

 

[YVR123]

I already am in Canada and would like to legally remain here for him through any means possible. I assume my only option is LMIA?

You can try to extend your visitor visa (just that you cannot work). Or apply for a study permit if you want to further your study here.
If you don't have any speical skills, chance of LMIA is not very high.

Most tech support jobs have been out sourced to other countries. But if you can find an employer that valued your skill (tech support for specialzied product/software), may be that would work.

 

[eruka]

Thank you. Only one last question. How can I apply for this extension? via the govt website only? Thanks though, you've been super super helpful

 

[canuck78]

Thank you. Only one last question. How can I apply for this extension? via the govt website only? Thanks though, you've been super super helpful

If your BF will not sponsor you after a year there is less likelihood of extensions. In general Canada doesn’t want visitors of working age to remain indefinitely because many will work illegally. If you have a large amount of savings and work is not a requirement then there may be more flexibility.

 

[scylla]

I already am in Canada and would like to legally remain here for him through any means possible. I assume my only option is LMIA?

You can apply to extend your visitor status if you want to remain in Canada as a visitor without working.

If you want to work, then yes, you'll likely need to go down the path of getting a job offer and approved LMIA.

 

[eruka]

I'm not seeking to work illegally and frankly work isn't my top concern at this time. He already supports us both as is and has done so from the beginning. My main concern is being allowed to legally stay with him

 

[YVR123]

I think OP planned to stay for 12 months and becomes common law. Then the boyfriend can sponsor her. Just that they do not plan to get married which is fine.

Good luck in the process. I don't have the link to apply for visitor extension. I am pretty sure you can find it via google or somewhere in this forum.

 

[canuck78]

I'm not seeking to work illegally and frankly work isn't my top concern at this time. He already supports us both as is and has done so from the beginning. My main concern is being allowed to legally stay with him

IRCC has there own concerns. Common law gives you many of the same entitlements and responsibilities as marriage. Shouldn’t be taken lightly either. Will he sponsor you as common law?