So my partner and I currently live in the UK, he is British and I am Canadian, and we are planning a move to BC. We won't qualify for common law until next May, however we are trying to get all our ducks in a row now so things can go smoother when the time comes.
A couple of questions:
Is it better to apply from inside or outside Canada? Obviously I want to stay with him and not end up with the Atlantic between us for a long period of time.
How do work permits work if we apply from within Canada? As I understand it, he would have to come to Canada on a temporary visa in order to do this. We are hoping for an IEC visa when they come out in March, but if we are unlucky, could he come over on a tourist visa and apply that way? And then once the process is started, could he apply for a work permit? I guess I'm a little unclear about how applications from within Canada work. If it means too long without income, its a problem, since he has a much better income than I do.
When showing evidence of common law, how important is it that every single thing dates back a year? I mean, realistically, no one moves in together and immediately does all the things. Like joint bank account, me being added to his insurance, buying a car in both our names....these things didn't all happen immediately, but still prove common law relationship.
Aside from those things, the only official document proving our cohabitation for the amount of time needed will be our tenancy agreement from May. Then of course the soft stuff, letters, postcards, affidavits from friends and family, facebook messages, phone records, emails about planning holidays and planning this move, pictures, plane tickets, holidays (unfortunately we tend to travel in ways where a paper trail is unlikely - camping, cash transactions, etc).
Thanks in advance for any advice!
A couple of questions:
Is it better to apply from inside or outside Canada? Obviously I want to stay with him and not end up with the Atlantic between us for a long period of time.
How do work permits work if we apply from within Canada? As I understand it, he would have to come to Canada on a temporary visa in order to do this. We are hoping for an IEC visa when they come out in March, but if we are unlucky, could he come over on a tourist visa and apply that way? And then once the process is started, could he apply for a work permit? I guess I'm a little unclear about how applications from within Canada work. If it means too long without income, its a problem, since he has a much better income than I do.
When showing evidence of common law, how important is it that every single thing dates back a year? I mean, realistically, no one moves in together and immediately does all the things. Like joint bank account, me being added to his insurance, buying a car in both our names....these things didn't all happen immediately, but still prove common law relationship.
Aside from those things, the only official document proving our cohabitation for the amount of time needed will be our tenancy agreement from May. Then of course the soft stuff, letters, postcards, affidavits from friends and family, facebook messages, phone records, emails about planning holidays and planning this move, pictures, plane tickets, holidays (unfortunately we tend to travel in ways where a paper trail is unlikely - camping, cash transactions, etc).
Thanks in advance for any advice!