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Visitor record, trouble having Girlfriend with me in Canada

chazzout

Newbie
Jul 26, 2014
2
0
So my American girlfriend and I went out for over a year and decided we wanted to move in together. Since her contract was up and my job is still going we decided to move to Canada and we had a company offer her a job. The move went well, but then the employer more or less rescinded the offer because they needed to get an LMO which was going to be too costly for them. Then, driving up from a visit to New York, my girlfriend was given a visitor record, requesting that she leave before August 1st. They did not think she had sufficient funds to stay in Canada, but I was not present and couldn't vouch for the fact that I was able to support her.

The thing is, we are really fond of each other and want to continue staying together so that we can apply for PR on account of commonlaw. I am willing to support her for as long as she is unable to legally work. I spoke to someone from CBSA on the phone when my GF got the visitor record and they suggested extending it, but I realize now that you're supposed to do that 30 days in advance (which is a little ridiculous since the record was issued mid to late june).

Is it worth it to do a flagpole and explain the situation, with me present? Will they deny her entry because it's too close to living together, which you're not supposed to do? How are people even supposed to cohabit if you're not supposed to stay in canada full time on a visitor visa (as seems to be the case reading some threads)? Should we just apply to extend her visitor visa online even though it's late? Would it help to point out that we are actually traveling back to the states in November (and leaving the country briefly at the end of the month too)?

She is an early childhood educator, which seems to be a potential thing that could get an open work permit too? The process is just convoluted and no matter how much I read the website it seems like I miss out and misunderstand things.

I'm confused and bewildered and stressed out. We were supposed to meet in Montreal for a concert when she drove up and she was in tears and it was just devastating. I want to be with my girlfriend legally and I am worried that she's going to get denied entry and stuck in upstate new york, 7 hours from her home state just because of border guard discretion and rules.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
96,897
22,866
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Flagpoling will be risky. And yes, she could be refused.

Apply to extend her visit from within Canada (CIC needs to receive the application before/by August 1st). Mention the fact that you are working on becoming common law as a reason for extending her visit and provide proof you can support her. This route has a much higher chance of working than flagpoling.
 

chazzout

Newbie
Jul 26, 2014
2
0
Thank you - so the 30 day thing is a guideline, not a rule, and she will have implied status regardless?

I will make sure to include pay stubs and the like and a written statement. We have a few plans to travel out of the country between now and december (tickets booked from Boston to California, tickets to France from Ottawa), would those help our case (because they demonstrate that she will not overstay), or are they best left unmentioned?