Some advice please

[MidMatt]

Hi,

   I am currently in a relationship with a Canadian woman. I have been over to spend time with her on three occasions now, initially for a month from mid Dec 2008 to mid Jan 2009. I went over again for 22 days in May and then the third time I visited from July until mid September. What we would like to do now is be in a position to qualify for the common-law sponsoring. I know we could get married and not have to 'clock' up the 12 months living together to avoid this but we don't want to do that just for the sake of it and would rather that be something done when we want to do it.

The question I have is how are we supposed to spend 12 months living together when I can only visit for 6 months (am from the UK so no need for a TRV). I understand I can apply to extend the vistor's visa before it runs out but would that be likely to be extended in this situation? I see from these forums that honesty is the best policy in these matters, so would we just say we want to continue living together, explain as much as possible and send details of things in joint names and photos/trips we've had together etc and see what happens.

The other question I have is that in January I intend to book a return flight for 6 months time. At immigration so far I have openly stated that I am coming to see my girlfriend with no problems, but as this visit will use up the whole 6 months maximum will this be a problem? What kind of things should I bring with me - bank statements to prove I have the funds to sustain myself? Obviously I'll have my return ticket too. I am currently not working as such, so can't say I have a job to return to. I dabble a bit with stocks/shares but other than that I currently live off my savings, and I am not officially unemployed as I don't claim any benefits. So I intend to be honest and tell them I am coming to spend time with my girlfriend and do a bit of travelling with her. Will this be a problem?

Hopefully someone can help or offer some advice with this.

[whoopi83]

You can clock up 12 months by living in each other's country for 6 months each...

You can enter CA for 6 months, go home for couple of weeks and then go back for another 6 months...

There is no "maximum" 6 months per year, only 6 months on entry...

All you need to prove is that you have ties to the UK, that you are not trying to live/work illegally, that you can support yourself whilst you are here without working, that you intend to return to the UK.

You could also visit for 6 months and apply for an extension 30 days before expiry of the 6 months...

[MidMatt]

Thanks for all the useful help Whoopi.

      Regarding the staying for 6 months and then coming back a short period later like the two weeks you mention, what kind of things would be best to have ready for customs in case they need proof of ties to UK? 

      Also if I applied to extend the visa and was refused would that have a detrimental effect on trying to re enter for another 6 months a couple of weeks down the line?

[whoopi83]

Thanks for all the useful help Whoopi.

      1.Regarding the staying for 6 months and then coming back a short period later like the two weeks you mention, what kind of things would be best to have ready for customs in case they need proof of ties to UK? 

      2. Also if I applied to extend the visa and was refused would that have a detrimental effect on trying to re enter for another 6 months a couple of weeks down the line?

1. Property... family.... return ticket... and financial proof that you would not be looking to work illegally.

2. And yes, I believe it would. 

Can your partner visit you in the UK if necessary to establish 12 months cohabitation?

The other route is conjugal but this is usually more difficult to establish... I'm sure there a thread on here somewhere.

I figure you can be honest without giving your life story of which is not written yet  - if you re-enter after a few weeks because you are travelling with your g/f I can't imagine you would be interrogated too much :o)

[MidMatt]

Thanks again Whoopi.

 It's doubtful she could come over here for any length of time as she is studying presently and has a child too. Although I guess we could perhaps get in a month during the summer and then return together. The other thing in our favour there is that it would also be to a different airport as during the winter months I have to fly in via Halifax before an internal flight where as the other two times I have visited I've been able to fly direct to a much smaller airport (Fredericton) and it seemed a lot smoother than the customs at Halifax.