Thank you to everyone that replied to my thread!
I really really appreciate it!!
I apologize for not responding back earlier but I just wanted to take the trip to Vancouver with the BF first to see whether he might take the job or not. We both enjoyed Vancouver so much! It was pouring rain though when we got there the first day haha but that didn't stop us from exploring the city.
We were there for three days but we were able to see almost every part of the city! I think my BF liked Vancouver too because he emailed his big boss in Austria to ask for a salary offer/package and is waiting for his reply. So from everyone's response, this is what I have learned (but please correct me if I am wrong...):
1. The best option for me to live with my BF in Canada while he is working there would be for him to apply common-law. In order to do that, we must live together for 12 consecutive months and collect proof of us doing so like having my name on his rental agreement, having a joint account, having mail sent to us that shows both our names, etc. I could live here in the US with him for 6 months and live the rest of the 6 months with him in Vancouver. Are there any other qualifications that I have to meet to be qualified for common-law? What if I have student loan debt, would that affect our application?
2. If I were to take the common-law option: do I have to leave Canada and have my boyfriend apply for common-law after my 6 months in Canada? Or can I extend my visitor status while our application is being processed? I am not sure if it makes a difference but my BF also would have his work visa already when he gets to Canada...
3. While we complete the last 6 months of living together in Vancouver, I would not be able to work or attend school. Is this correct?
4. When I enter Canada, am I granted a 6 months visitor status or do I need to declare this when I am on the plane? I am asking because when we were flying to Canada for our trip, we were required to fill out a declaration form for goods/money but it asked us how long we were staying
in Canada.
5. So during our 6 months living together in the US I know we need to collect proof of us living together like having our names on lease, having a joint account/savings together, having mail addressed to both of us and to the same address, letter from friends and family saying that they know we are together and live together, etc. What other evidence can we show and have been used for Common-law?
6. For our last 6 months living in Canada together, I know we need to collect proof of living together too. But, Is opening a joint account together in Vancouver or having my name on his lease perfectly legal if I have visitor status? I have read some where on here that having a joint account in Canada is legal for someone on visitor status applying for common law...
P.S. The attitude difference between Canadian border patrol officers and Californian border patrol officers is HUGE! Right when we got to Canada, we were greeted by smiling workers at airport and the CBSA(sp?) officer was direct but still polite and SO nice to us. When we flew back to LAX, the border officer and everyone working there were so rude, pushy, demanding, and not happy with their jobs haha. I am a US citizen and even I felt guilty for no reason because the officer was so intimidating!
Thank you again for all your helpful advice! I will be looking forward to hearing what other advice others might have