My position as a marketing consultant affords me the opportunity to work remotely, so I decided to try and spend more time with my partner (a native Canadian who formerly worked in the US where we met). He left the states last summer and accepted a position in Nova Scotia. I came into Canada as a visitor in September. I would like to extend my stay beyond the 4 months specified as the visitor time period on my passport and stay an additional six months if possible. I understand how to apply for an extension online and what documents would be helpful to that aim (proof of funds etc.). My question is that realistically a viable option? I could go home to the US for a period of time and visit my partner again in the near future if necessary, though that's not the most economical route, and furthermore, I'm told that it's not always a good idea to leave once you've been granted a tourist visa in Canada, because there are no guarantees that you'll be able to resume your originally intended stay if you leave. Also, I've read that frequent trips to Canada could be perceived as an intent to immigrate when the visit entails a single person visiting a partner/Canadian citizen. If I leave and attempt to return to Canada, I'm not sure how long I would need to wait in between visits to satisfy Canadian immigration requirements. Is it a week? A month? Six months in between visits? Or, is it at the discretion of the customs official at the airport? I certainly wouldn't want to buy a round trip ticket and be turned away at the airport in Toronto. Would the extension be a better and more likely option since I'm already in Canada?
On another note, while in the US, my partner lived with me, and while visiting Canada, I am staying with him in between our touring trips along the east coast. We have been together for well over a year and have ample proof of our domestic partnership, including banking information and life insurance policies with each other listed as beneficiaries etc. Should I go ahead and apply for a visitor extension while currently in Canada, or should I apply for common law visitor status from the US prior to my next visit to Canada? What are my chances for success with either avenue? I've read countless posts from people who have had little luck extending stays or getting a TRV as a single person with a partner in Canada, and I do understand the perceived threat. But, I have no desire to immigrate to Canada, or to marry my partner at this time. He may in fact return to the US next year on a work visa so neither is necessary at this juncture, but we'd still very much like to spend time together - as much time as legally possible, and that requires frequent trips in and out of the country.
Any suggestions or advice? Thanks in advance for any insight that you might have on my situation.
On another note, while in the US, my partner lived with me, and while visiting Canada, I am staying with him in between our touring trips along the east coast. We have been together for well over a year and have ample proof of our domestic partnership, including banking information and life insurance policies with each other listed as beneficiaries etc. Should I go ahead and apply for a visitor extension while currently in Canada, or should I apply for common law visitor status from the US prior to my next visit to Canada? What are my chances for success with either avenue? I've read countless posts from people who have had little luck extending stays or getting a TRV as a single person with a partner in Canada, and I do understand the perceived threat. But, I have no desire to immigrate to Canada, or to marry my partner at this time. He may in fact return to the US next year on a work visa so neither is necessary at this juncture, but we'd still very much like to spend time together - as much time as legally possible, and that requires frequent trips in and out of the country.
Any suggestions or advice? Thanks in advance for any insight that you might have on my situation.