Hi there,

I have a Canadian Girlfriend and I would like to live with her in Canada, my recent application for a work permit was withdrawn because a few years ago I had a 1 year student work permit and they would not allow another. Being from the UK this means that I can only enter Canada on a 6 month tourist visa.

My girlfriend says that she will support me while I am there for this time and when I have to leave we are both going to go to New Zealand for 6 months or more so that we do not have to spend any more time apart.

My question is, after this time, we will have been living together for for more than 12 months. Under the regulations for Canadian common law partnerships it states a minimum 12 month period of cohabitation but does it still count if we are living together for half of that time in another country or does it have to be 12 continuous months IN canada?

If I can't get a long term visa to enter Canada how can I every satisfy the criteria?

Documented cohabitation in any country is sufficient to allow for eligibility as common-law partners.