Would our relationship be valid?

[scylla]

I'm not sure I understood everything: this means that I won't be able to work until December 2016, and I have to stay in Canada for that period of time with no income other than the random work I'll be able to get online?

Yes - that's correct. If you are unable to secure a full time job offer + LMIA (so that you can get a closed work permit) and you're also unable to snag one of the Working Holiday Visas / IECs - it's going to be December next year at the earliest before you can work. And even if you do manage to snag an IEC, it's still going to be late spring before you are able to work by the time everything is processed.

And yes, you'll have to stay in Canada the entire time.

 

[Kahisys]

I understand.

Thank you everyone for your help so far. Nothing seems remotely doable for me as of now so I'm just going to have to meditate on the situation.

 

[Ponga]

Seize this opportunity to assemble evidence of living together. One way or another, you will either find a way to continue to live together, or get married, if that becomes your best option.

While you wait for the days to fall off the calendar, gather as much evidence as you can to show that you've been living with him. See if you can be added to his lease, cell phone account, bank account, etc., to show that you really are `together'. Start having mail sent to you (as well as each of you, together), such as cards and letters from family and friends. Some people fail to do this, thinking that just showing proof that the person entered Canada and remained in Canada for one year means that they were living together...but it does NOT. CIC needs solid proof of this and it is probably the biggest piece of the puzzle for a Common-Law applicant; you must show proof of living together for at least one full year.

It's not that difficult to be added to his accounts (even with only having visitor status) and can be very helpful when it's time to apply.

Good luck to you both.

 

[Kahisys]

Oh I already started that. I'm already on the lease and got a couple postcards sent to me that I kept. I figured I'd need proofs of that sort.

 

[Ponga]

Oh I already started that. I'm already on the lease and got a couple postcards sent to me that I kept. I figured I'd need proofs of that sort.

That's great!

 

[Kahisys]

Anyway, thanks for your help.

I'm gonna have to think of what I can do with all this, and it's not gonna be easy.