Girlfriend right over the border

[Nickiacona1027]

So i have read this on this site..

Conjugal - you are in a "marriage like" relationship for at least one year in that you have joined your lives (and can provide significant proof) although you are not married and are not in a common-law relationship. Very difficult category and only usually approved if there is a bar from becoming one of the other two categories. You can't get married or you can't live together for one year.

I live in Buffalo and my girlfriend lives in St. Catherines which is right over the border. We pretty much visit eachother everyday, where i will go spend the night at her place, and then she spends the night at mine a couple times a week (is there a limit to that?). We are eventually looking to live together, so would conjugal sponsorship qualify for us since we cannot qualify for common law since we cannot legally live together for a full year? I have a very good job in the states so therefore when i stay at her house twice a week, i leave for work in the morning.

Any info would help. thanks

 

[Leon]

I don't think you have a chance under conjugal. You could get married for one thing and even if not, you don't have any immigration barriers stopping you from living together. You could live with her for 6 months and then she lives with you for 6 and you could both even continue your jobs. An immigration barrier would be if you were being denied entry to visit her and she to visit you.

 

[Nickiacona1027]

I can live with her for 6 months, and cross the border every morning to go back to work? and then cross back at night?

I was not aware that i could do that... I am not aware of how much i can cross or how much i can stay overnight in canada so that is why i am trying to find out as much info as possible so i do not get myself into any issues.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I can live with her for 6 months, and cross the border every morning to go back to work? and then cross back at night?

I was not aware that i could do that... I am not aware of how much i can cross or how much i can stay overnight in canada so that is why i am trying to find out as much info as possible so i do not get myself into any issues.

probably not. the 6 mo split works best when the person stays the whole time, not travel back and forth daily. It's also optimal if a person can work remotely for their current US employer.

no one on here is going to be able to tell you how ok CBSA will be with your frequent crossings. For sure, CBSA will definitely let you know if you are crossing too much, and may start limiting your travel. the only way to know for sure is to attempt to cross the border and see what happens. they are certainly a lot stricter on couples who are not married or commonlaw and don't have PR applications in process.

 

[Rob_TO]

I can live with her for 6 months, and cross the border every morning to go back to work? and then cross back at night?

I was not aware that i could do that... I am not aware of how much i can cross or how much i can stay overnight in canada so that is why i am trying to find out as much info as possible so i do not get myself into any issues.

Doing that, you will most likely eventually run into issues during one of your crossings, even if you have a NEXUS card. If CBSA feels you are "living" in Canada as a visitor, they could simply deny you entry.

However your employment issues are not relevant to CIC. Employment is not a valid reason to apply conjugal, as it's neither a legal or immigration issue. CIC expects people to quit their jobs if that's what it takes to become common-law.

 

[Nickiacona1027]

yeah i didnt think i could do the whole 6 months traveling back and fourth and living with her.. i dont plan on doing that anyway. I work in professional sports, so the time i usually get to see her is once i am out of work, so that is why i spend the night twice or 3 times a week because of both of our work schedules.

I guess i just have to keep visiting for a couple nights per week since it seems like that is the only thing i can do.

 

[Rob_TO]

I guess i just have to keep visiting for a couple nights per week since it seems like that is the only thing i can do.

Unfortunately that will not lead to common-law status, as common-law requires you both to set up cohabitation under just 1 home. One of you will need to actually move to the other's country for 12 months (or 6 months in each country) to get qualified for common-law.

The only other option to begin sponsorship process, is to get married.

 

[Nickiacona1027]

i understand that will not lead to common-law. I was saying that all i can do is visit i guess since that is pretty much the only option i have.