Visitor extension - "exploring relationship"

[Macchiato]

Hi - I am an Australian citizen in a relationship with a Canadian - I would like to apply for PR as common-law with my partner, but to do so we have to live together for 12 months uninterrupted....(we have been together for 2 1/2 yrs)

So first I am applying to extend my visitor visa so that I can stay in the Canada for the 12 months to receive common law status.....any tips on what I should write in my visa extension letter?

I am aware that this visa is to extend your stay as a tourist and there is a emphasis on saying that you are planning to leave the country after your stay......I would like to be totally honest of course but wondering if there is a certain way to word the letter to help my chances? Is the "exploring relationship" reason still valid?

I want to go through the process and do everything correctly and I think this is the only avenue to achieve common-law status that I can find - anyone had a similar experience? I will be trying for an 8 month extension so that gives me enough time to live with my partner for the 12 months and organise my PR paperwork.....or would it be OK to ask for a year extension?

Thanks!
Myka

 

[Aussam]

Hi - I am an Australian citizen in a relationship with a Canadian - I would like to apply for PR as common-law with my partner, but to do so we have to live together for 12 months uninterrupted....(we have been together for 2 1/2 yrs)

So first I am applying to extend my visitor visa so that I can stay in the Canada for the 12 months to receive common law status.....any tips on what I should write in my visa extension letter?

I am aware that this visa is to extend your stay as a tourist and there is a emphasis on saying that you are planning to leave the country after your stay......I would like to be totally honest of course but wondering if there is a certain way to word the letter to help my chances? Is the "exploring relationship" reason still valid?

I want to go through the process and do everything correctly and I think this is the only avenue to achieve common-law status that I can find - anyone had a similar experience? I will be trying for an 8 month extension so that gives me enough time to live with my partner for the 12 months and organise my PR paperwork.....or would it be OK to ask for a year extension?

Thanks!
Myka

Hi,
I've been in a similar situation, take it you can't get a WHP visa or a work permit?
For my extension I was already married but my original visitor visa we weren't and we had been only living together for 6 months.

Just get your partner to write a letter saying that he/she will support you for your duration of stay with accommodation as well as financial assistance where needed. You can write that you want to explore the relationship further but all we did is start the letter of by saying she will support her boyfriend. He/she should put their job title, company and length of time at the job as well. We attached her bank statement showing proof of income.
I showed my bank statement showing funds as well.
In IMM5708E In the "Details of Visit to Canada" I put for "purpose of my visit" : Other in the drop down menu and in the space I wrote continue living with girlfriend.

As long as you can show that you can be supported/support yourself then you should be fine, especially from a visa-exempt country as Australia. I know it's a nervous wait and you hear of people being rejected for not having enough ties to their home country etc but I'm sure it's fine.

You can ask for a year but it's totally up to the case officer on what they give you. I originally asked for 6 months and really should've asked for a year as I'm waiting on my extension to be processed.

 

[Avadava]

Some people write as motive for extension: "establishing common law".