Have Student Visa - Want Permanent Residency.

[friskyari]

Hi,
I am from the US on a student visa studying at Seneca College.  I am living with my boyfriend of 1 1/2 years and his family in Toronto right now.  What are the necessary steps I need to take to become a permanent resident?  I've been living here officially since Dec 2007.  I am not done with Seneca until April of 2009, and am planning on transferring to York University Fall 2009.  My main hope is to become a permanent resident before then to hopefully be able to pay the "Canadian Resident Fee" of about $5k as opposed to $15k the International Student pays for one year.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Arianna

[thaiguy]

After you have lived with your boyfriend for 12 consecutive months and have consolidated your affairs (bank account, leases, insurance - etc.), he can sponsor you as his common-law partner.

[friskyari]

Ok, so how much of our "stuff" has to be tied together?  I mean, I'm on his cell phone plan right now.. I get my mail from my school to his house... Is it 100% necessary to have joint bank accounts?  I guess, if i HAD to I could put him on my bank account out here as well.. But that's a last resort thing.  I personally would rather have my own bank account.  What other acceptable ways in your opinion, can we consolidate?? Leases I guess, if we eventually move out of the parent's house within this year.. But that's a big IF.

Thanks again for your help.   Sorry if I'm seeming redundant, but the whole process is overwhelming because you want to do it right the first time so everything follows through smoothly.

Again, thank you!!

[thaiguy]

Well I guess the whole point of qualifying as common-law partners is that you are supposed to have the kind of relationship that would result in significant ties.  If you're struggling with forming those ties, or you're doing so only to qualify for immigration, and you can't even bear a joint account, what's the point?

The guidelines say you should have consolidated your affairs.  I gave you some examples.  Use your best judgement.