Hi,

I have a few questions. My boyfriend and I live legally in the USA. He has a work permit and I am in the final stages of the US green card.

1.I am in a long term relationship for the past two and a half years. Although we live together, my boyfriend does have his own apartment. He never lives there but has it as a standby for when we have family visiting from overseas so they have a place to stay. Therefore, he is not on my lease agreement and I am not on his. We don't have a joint bank account either and we just take turns paying for groceries etc. How do I show our relationship as being a common law relationship if I do not have proof of cohabitation even though we live together? Will our case be thrown out for lack of evidence? We can provide other information like photos, iterinaries of trips together etc. Will this be sufficient?

2.My boyfriend and I want to move to canada on the temporary worker category because we want to get there as soon as possible. My boyfriend intends to ask for an intra company transfer. Can I be joined to his application?

3. If the answer to 2 is a yes, I would like to know about my business. I operate a 100% online business that deals with ebooks and affiliate marketing. I do not sell any tangible products. My business is registered in the US. Will I be able to continue working on this business when we move to canada on my boyfriend's temporary visa? Since I won't be competing for canadian jobs OR drawing a salary from an canadian employer, will I have to get a work permit?

4. Are there any known issues with applying for PRs once we have lived in Canada for a while?

Thanks so much in advance for your replies!

In response to your questions:

1. You would have to rely on more subjective documents. These may include affidavits, or letters from your landlord. If you include him in documents such as insurance, taxation, or otherwise (or vice versa), then you can try to rely on these as well. Of course, if using less objective evidence in your favour, you will be relying more on the discretion of an immigration official.

2. This relates back to the first point. If you can satisfy the immigration officials that a spousal relationship exists, then you can become eligible for an open work permit on the basis of your partner's approval.

3. Current policy is that telecommuting positions for work outside of Canada do not require a work permit.

4. No, prior residence, work, or study in Canada would usually work to an applicant's advantage.