Common law and working visa

Quote from: bullma33 on September 23, 2009, 03:30:03 pm

Hi everyone,

I am French, currently living in Canada for about a year now. I'm under a very restrictive visa (LMO, made specially for the Olympics) and would like to change that.

My boyfriend and I have been together for about 3 years and have been living in Canada for a year together. He is a canadian citizen, so we were thinking about applying for the common law status and then get him to sponsor me for a working visa.

My questions are, what is the process to apply for this common law status? (i know the requirements but don't know how to apply)
and how long would it take for me to get this new visa?

Thanks for your answers!!!

1. Your boyfriend may apply to sponsor you (and you apply for permanent residence) after cohabiting continuously for 12 months.
2. If you apply outland its faster with a right of appeal, if you apply inland there is no right of appeal but you may apply for a work visa.

Outland - the sponsor is assessed in Mississauga then the entire (application) would be sent to Paris. If you have been legally admitted to Canada for 1 year you may choose Buffalo instead of Paris to process.

Inland - the application is sent to Vegraville. You must have been legally admitted to Canada for 1 year to use inland.

You should be aware that you will need to prove your relationship is genuine and that you are living in a marriage like relationship; joint bank account, utilities etc.

You will find the guides on cic.gc.ca for the sponsor and the PR applicant along with all the forms you will need to submit. Remember to also use the correct region forms.