Canada visa, legal partnership etc

[yesitsme]

Hi. I got into a Canadian school for PhD. I hope I can solicit here some advice about my visa application. So here is the story:

I am from Asia, and my partner for nearly five years is from Europe. We met some years ago when we were studying overseas. He'd like to follow me to Canada, but at the moment, we are confused how we could make this possible. We are doing this LDR thing although sometimes he comes to visit me, and vice versa. Both of our countries do not acknowledge common law partnership, but Canada does. I read that a partner usually follows some months after the student (who is the visa sponsor) has settled in Canada. I guess this is okay, but we would very much prefer to go to Canada at about the same time.

So, how do we do this, given we are of different nationalities? Does he have to come to my country so that we can apply together to the local Canadian embassy, or can I simply send him support papers soon after my visa is granted? Or, can he apply before I receive my visa? Also, is it easy to declare common law partnership? While we do not have conjugal properties simply because we do not live together, I believe we have enough evidence to support our long-term relationship, including lots of travels together overseas, photos, etc. Would it be easier if he tries to find a job now, and get a work visa instead? He works at the finance sector and we are hoping that he can find a job there.

Oh, our friends would advise us to just get married to make things easier. We prefer to be in a long term relationship though. Marriage might come after I receive my degree.

Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

Edited April 4, 2010 by yesitsme