Question about being married one year?

[CDDC87]

I read that in order to be able to sponsor your spouse you'd have to live together for a year. Now, in my personal case, my boyfriend lives in Newfoundland and I live in Florida. Him coming here isn't possible, so he'd have to sponsor me and I'd have to go up there. If we did get married, how would we be able to live together for a year? Isn't the longest you can get a visitor's visa 6 months? Or is there something else we'd have to do? I'm a little confused by the whole process, and I'd really be very grateful if someone could help us out and clear this up for us.

Also, does receiveing EI affect your eligibility to be a sponsor? That's something else I've been worrying about.

Thanks.

[CharlieD10]

The one year cohabitation requirement is specific to common-law partners.  Married spouses do not have to prove minimum cohabitation.  And, in the case of common-law partners, many visa-exempt couples arrange their affairs to spend 6 months in each other's country in order to meet the minimum period, so it can be done.

EI is not welfare/social assistance, you pay into the fund and receive it only if you are eligible (work enough hours), so it does not affect the eligibility of a sponsor.

[AllisonVSC]

You are confusing two categories. Spousal-you are married, no time requirement, and Common Law- you must have lived together for one continuous year. If you marry, there is no need to establish the common law requirement.

Also, EI does not impact eligibility to sponsor... Check out the first post (pinned at the top) in this folder. The poster does an excellent job of summarizing your options. Additionally, this document is very helpful.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op02-eng.pdf

[CDDC87]

Alright, thanks for clearing that up. I'm skimming that document and I'll check out the post in a bit, I'm a little overwhelmed with everything and I'm trying to make sense of it all.

[AllisonVSC]

Alright, thanks for clearing that up. I'm skimming that document and I'll check out the post in a bit, I'm a little overwhelmed with everything and I'm trying to make sense of it all.

it is a bit overwhelming, but you have found a great place. The members in this forum are super helpful and will be happy to answer all your questions.