Trying to be with my girlfriend

[jaminc]

Hi all.

IM new here and looking for any advice anyone can give on my circumstances.

I am a british citizen
My girlfriend is Canadian
I have just spent a period of time 5th of december to 31st of March living with her in Alberta
I entered as a visitor and was granted 6 months stay by the immigration officer based on the fact that my girlfriend proved that she could support me for the period of my stay.
I am now back in the UK and want to return again as soon as possible.
OUr aim is to be able to live together for 12 months at which point the canadian law states we can then be seen as common law spouses and I can then apply under her sponsorship for a permanent residents visa.
My questions are.
Is there anyway atall that this can happen sooner than the 12 months.
Is there anyway that with her as my sponsor I can obtain a right to work and apply for work in Canada within that time
On return to canada is there a better way of being accepted back in now we have lived together for a few months and I am returning instead of being a first time visitor.
Would it help if despite being back in the UK now if i applied for the visitor extension permit and just produced that at the POE.

Any advice would be really welcome as the official websites dont really cover our circumstances totally.

Thanks in advance.

 

[amikety]

1) You can't apply for a visitor extension in the UK. You're no longer a visitor because you left

2) Common-law is 12 continuous months of living together. If you're apart for too long this time, it will reset. The only way to "speed it up" as it were, would be to get married. Married can apply immediately.

3) There's no way for her sponsor you for a work permit while you're waiting to qualify for common-law. You can look for work, however, and may be able to find a job with a LMO, which is required for most work permits.

4) In my experience, my second time entering Canada was a lot smoother than the first.

I'm not sure if the IEC is still open for the UK, but take a look: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d

 

[jaminc]

Hi Amikety...

thankyou for your response and information thats really helpful.
Do you know how long we can be apart for now before they will reset it..
Also we have taken out a rent on a property that has both our names on the agreement. will this help bridge the gap that i am away or will they just look at time in country?

many thanks

 

[scylla]

Hi Amikety...

thankyou for your response and information thats really helpful.
Do you know how long we can be apart for now before they will reset it..
Also we have taken out a rent on a property that has both our names on the agreement. will this help bridge the gap that i am away or will they just look at time in country?

many thanks

- There is no official reset time. I think a month is fine. Anything more and there's a risk they'll reset.
- They will just look at the time in country.

 

[jaminc]

Thankyou both for your replies.

I have another question if anyone knows.

I was hoping to set up a photography business in Canada..
Can i be in canada and get the business going whilst applying for a self employed visa. or do i have to wait until I have the visa to try and start it..
Also where they look at having a given amount of money to support yourself.. again could i do this whilst being supported by my partner

 

[scylla]

Thankyou both for your replies.

I have another question if anyone knows.

I was hoping to set up a photography business in Canada..
Can i be in canada and get the business going whilst applying for a self employed visa. or do i have to wait until I have the visa to try and start it..
Also where they look at having a given amount of money to support yourself.. again could i do this whilst being supported by my partner

You can't start a business in Canada until you are authorized to work. So no - you can't get the business going while applying for a work permit. You have to wait until you are authorized to work.

 

[jaminc]

hi skylla

thankyou
do you know if i applied for the visa to be self employed if i would have to have a certain amount of funds. or would that im being supported by my girlfriend be suffiencent to cover that element.

 

[scylla]

hi skylla

thankyou
do you know if i applied for the visa to be self employed if i would have to have a certain amount of funds. or would that im being supported by my girlfriend be suffiencent to cover that element.

Are you looking at the PR self employed visa? If so, I would strongly encourage against that. First of all, the processing time for these applications is years. Secondly, the rules for qualifying are very specific and few people actually meet them. It would be far far better to have your girlfriend sponsor you instead once you are either married or common law.