Ok guys I hope you can help me!

I met my girlfriend at university, she returned to Canada three years ago. We were only friends as she was only in England for a month, but we kept in contact etc.

Anyways, I visited her last august in Hamilton, Ontario, and of course, we fell madly in love. Since then I have returned last december and again this month (got off the plane this morning). I want to move there as soon as possible, not just for her (tho that is of course the main factor), but also as I believe I will enjoy a better quality of life with my beloved. three trips in 7 months on my wage is quite an acheivement, but the hardship of being apart is too much now.

I am 24, have a good degree, a good education all the way since junior school. I am fit, healthy, young etc, and have worked for the same company since I left university.

Here's the science... My girlfriend lives at home with her mother, they are more than comfortable financially etc. Her mother is converting the lower part of the house for us to live in to save money til we can get our own place etc.

So anyways, whats the fastest way for me to become a Permanent Resident etc? I read that the rules have changed and I can now apply whilst living with her. But if I turn up at Toronto and tell them i am here to stay, and explain all this, will they let me stay and work whilst applying etc? I couldn't handle being turned away obviously, the missus would be mightily pissed! I've worked so hard saving to travel etc and we are now at the point where turning up and leaving again is getting to be too much. We have to be together. Any help/advice guys?

First read the official site

Then ask in the immigration forum if you have questions. Dont just show up at the airport and tell them you intend to stay...you could end up heading staright back to blighty...which would probably be better than living in Hamiton anyway <ducks>

I suspect you are probably seen as conjugal partners...although that is the stickiest relationship to get through on. Much better to get married, or at least live together long enough to count as commonlaw partners.

Hey thanka man, appreciate the help.

BTW everyone canes Hamilton for being "the mistake by the lake" but you;d be surprised. i would take it over Toronto or Mississauaga anytime. It's really quite beautiful. And so many golf courses!!!

Would agree with the above: definitely do *not* turn up at the airport telling Immigration you're "here to stay". The immigration forum will provide good tips for you as well as others' experience.

One thing I would say, though, is that Hamilton is quite a nice town. I live in Toronto and have two good friends there plus I go there on business quite frequently. Very friendly people, real estate prices very low, many fine houses and leafy neighbourhoods. The mountain adds character and Hamilton has a certain spirit to it, a little funky, maybe even a little seedy like some older American cities (but without the major crime) It has a vibrant cultural scene, many nice places to eat and a first class university (McMaster - probably the best medical school in Canada). Suffers from smog but not nearly as bad as it used to be 20 years ago. Plus you're really close to Niagara Falls and to gorgeous wine country (Vineland, Jordan etc...) If you want to spend greenbacks, the malls/gallerias of Buffalo are only about an hour away. Good burg, IMNSHO

GTR

So what do you guys think I should do? Which immigration route should I take? I am confused because the website says I can apply whilst in canada, but what do I have to fill out to satisfy them on my arrival?

Thats cos the polution starts in Hamilton and moves away. The air quality in my area can get pretty funky in the summer..and its not cos of all the heavy industry in Belleville!

I know Hamilton gets a lot of stick...it was a joke people, see the smiley!!!

In regards to permanent residency of Canada with a Canadian partner or spouse, you have a few options.

The first one is the family class conjugal route (you need to be able to prove that you cannot live together for legal reasons or visa problems). This does not apply to you, so don't apply in this category.

The second option is the family class common law route (providing you have lived in a common law relationship with your partner for a minimum of 12 months and have evidence of joint lease, joint bank accounts etc.)

The third option is family class spousal route (for married couples).

At this stage, you would need to either marry your girlfriend and then apply as her spouse, or live together for a minimum of 12 months and apply as her common law partner. As you are both young, you would qualify for the Working Holiday Programs that both Canada and the UK offer to its passport holders. The visa is valid for 12 months and this would give you the option to come to Canada for 12 months, work and live with your girlfriend. You can't extend these visas longer than the 12 months though.

Have a look at http://www.bunac.org/uk/workcanada/

Maybe your girlfriend would like to go the UK on a Working Holiday visa and live with you for a year (if I was from Hamilton, I would be jumping at the chance to go the UK - just kidding).

Good luck, and go to http://www.cic.gc.ca for all the info. on Canadian PR.

Ozinca

Its a grey area, you havent lived together enough to qualify as any of the married clasifications, so unless you get married or live together all you are left with is conjugal, which is a minefield. Otherwise go skilled worker independent of her, but then you cant live here in the meantime. Either route you couldnt work here in the short term anyway.

The application while in canada thing is only really there if you get married. Get married here, and then apply? Do you know her well enough to be sure that would work? I dont know the implications of that, but the experts on the immigration side should be able to help you out. I'm sure Ive read there about people coming in on a visitors visa and getting married, so try using the advanced search.

hehe this damn Hamilton bashing... lol you guys are funny

I guess maybe the 12 month BUNAC thing would be the best idea, and then apply once I am there for anything else? All I want to do is get there and start working and enjoying a normal existence with my gf. i just need to know what the fastest, best way is for me to be able to turn up, settle in and begin working and have socal security etc.

The BUNAC program will give you the chance to work and settle in and live with your girlfriend. You could then marry during that year and apply for permanent residency as a spouse. Chances are that your PR application will not be complete by the time your BUNAC visa expires, so you will apply to change your condition of stay to 'visitor' (about 6 weeks before the BUNAC visa expires) so you can remain in Canada with your wife while you wait for PR - however you cannot work while you wait and that is the hard part.

Ozinca

Ok I am starting to think that Bunac is the way forwards. I can sort my own flights (I get them cheap, have a mate at British Airways!) and then extend my stay while I am there. We will marry one day, but neither of us want to do it yet purely because we are still young but very much comitted. If I go the BUNAC route, and we dont marry, will I be able to apply for PR anyway?

your help is fantastic guys, thank you!

Yes, but not from within canada. You need that spousal/family connection to do that.

The only other option I have is that I have an uncle in calgary who has been there 50 years. However, he is very old, and in all honesty I don't want to bother him about this for his own sake. Would that maybe be a better route? Rargh! So many options!

No, but nice try.

Ozinca

Ok, so basically the bunac option is best for me? I wish i could just turn up and prove to them there and then that I want to be with my partner, am willing to work, and want to live and contribute to Canadian society! I'll be living rent-free etc for at least a year as well. It's a shame there isn't a fast-track method I guess. The Bunac option is the one for me by the looks of things tho. Once i am there i can really get to work on getting things sorted. i just worry that because I am officially there for only a year, I won't be able to kickstart a career because nobody will want to take a guy on who may or may not be buggering back to England 12 months later!