Inland Common Law Sponsorship Help

[WAxlRose]

Hello all,

I want to check that my partner and I have a good plan in place before moving to Alberta.

My partner (common law) is currently a PR living in the UK for study. She is moving back to Alberta in September to make up her days to renew her PR. She's coming back to the UK in November for her graduation and when she flies back, I will be going with her.

I'm a UK national and currently have a valid eta. The plan is for me to enter Canada on my eta where we will both be living with her parents (Canadian citizens) and apply immediately for common law sponsorship for my PR with an OWP.

The logic behind this is that I can afford to get by on my savings until I receive my OWP and its better than going down the outland sponsorship route and being apart for 12 months, since she can't sponsor me in the UK as a PR.

I just wanted to check that this was all OK and legal etc? I have tirelessly searched online and according to the official website it seems that she can sponsor me provided I'm in Canada with legal status which I apparently do on my eta. However I'm worried incase we've got this wrong and if asked by an Officer at the border as to the purpose of my visit I may face being turned away.

Any help / advice would be appreciated.

 

[Wakki]

at the border simply state you are visiting and don't answer questions beyond what's asked....UK citizens are visa exempt to Canada.....the decision to refuse or allow entry depends on the border officer and not anyone's guess........dual intent is not necessarily illegal.

you are right in your partner been a PR can only sponsor your if they were living in Canada.....if you are living with your partner inside Canada, you can apply for inland sponsorship........you may check the UK sponsorship thread for timeline outland vs inland

Good Luck

 

[WAxlRose]

Thanks for the reply.

On the application, if I say I'm living in Canada will that be considered OK if I'm in the country not working and on an eta? Or will they consider that illegally living in Canada?

 

[Wakki]

living in Canada while on a visitor visa or visa exempt for the approved duration of the stay is not illegal......working without permit is illegal

 

[WAxlRose]

Perfect Thank you so much.

 

[YVR123]

"The plan is for me to enter Canada on my eta where we will both be living with her parents (Canadian citizens) and apply immediately for common law sponsorship for my PR with an OWP."

Will you two be living together for a continuous 12 months before she leaves in September and have proof of that?
Since you said immediately, I assume that you will apply for inland spousal sponsorship right after you arrived in Canada. (NOT to try to become common law after your are in Canada)

You will be staying in Canada as a visitor and waiting for your PR application to be approved. "living in" is not really the same.

 

[WAxlRose]

Yes we have been living together in the UK for over 2 years and have proof of housing lease as evidence. We naturally have bills, driving licences etc too.

Yes, that would be our intention. Is this a viable option? Is staying in Canada on an eta acceptable for an inland application if also seeking an OWP?

 

[Hurlabrick]

Is this a viable option?

Yes

Is staying in Canada on an eta acceptable for an inland application if also seeking an OWP?

At the risk of seeming pedantic, your are NOT staying in Canada on an ETA. An ETA merely allows you to board the plane. Once you land, the CBSA agent grants you visitors status by stamping the passport and if nothing specific is added, it is visitor status for 6 six months. You can apply on-line to extend visitor status if the six months is not looking like enough.

Perfectly normal to apply for an OWP at the same time as an inland spousal sponsorship application while on visitor status.

 

[WAxlRose]

Sorry, that's a misunderstanding on my part of the eta and its function. That's put my mind at ease though! I'd rather someone be pedantic and it lead to me gaining understanding ha!

Thank you for the help!