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.

You should consult the CIC's website at www.cic.gc.ca as all of your questions would be answered there. She can put in an offshore application for you now and it may well be completed before the end of the year if you hurry. As am Aussie you would not need a visa to enter Canada as a visitor so if it is not ready you could accompany her here and await the call for your passport.

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