Immigration Forum / Canada / January 2006

Hi everyone,

My partner is a Canadian Citizen and I am Australian. We have been in a
relationship since 1997.  We lived together in Canada for most of 2000 (I
was on a visitor's visa), then travelled to Australia where I sponsored her
under the interdependency (same sex) visa.  She is now an Aussie citizen.

We intend returning to Canada at the end of this year (family reasons) and
would like to return together.  My questions are:

1.  Should she put in  an offshore application now to sponsor me as her
common-law partner?  If so, and if this hasn't been granted by the end of
the year, can I still accompany her to Canada or do I have to wait?

2.  Once an offshore application is granted how long would I have to enter
the country?

3.  Is it better to enter Canada on a visitor's visa and then apply?

4.  If the application is granted as per question 1, am I able to work when
we land in Canada?

I understand that if I remain in Australia and she applies from Canada the
processing times are not as long (is this right??).  However we spent most
of 1998 and 1999 apart, which wasn't much fun, and after being together for
over 8 years now we don't want to go through that again.

I've had a look at the Canadian immigration website...quite a maze.

We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through a similar
experience or can give us some advice.

Many thanks,

Jill.