In Canada we have a marital status called "common law." You and your partner (of the same or opposite sexes!) come into this status when you have lived together in a "conjugal relationship" (i.e., you're lovers) for at least a year.

Many people these days opt not to get married, and remain in common law relationships. Once you're in a common law relationship, both partners have certain legal rights similar to marriage in case the relationship ends.

You also have the right to get immigration status for your common law partner if he or she is not Canadian.

So, Sand and I are now common law, we've lived together for over a year. And we're applying for PR (permanent residency) for her. That will allow her to work freely and legally here.

Of course you have to offer convincing evidence that you have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least a year, since there are no official papers like when you get married. But we're being quite honest and think our evidence should be convincing. Maybe I can show them my posts about Sand on TF going back over the last 2 years .

We can't afford to get married just yet, because we can't afford to book the Oriental for the wedding. And I have to work a couple of years to afford her sin sod 5555

Maybe I'll put a paypal button on my profile, you can send me donations!!

Congradulations !! hey what kind of proof they asking huh hehe YOU look good together!!!!!

There's a reason to save those used condoms!

Glad to hear this.... can I be a witness? I've read some about her

Im not a stalker btw.. hehe

in Arkansas, it takes 5 years then husband n wife

im so poor , cant donate u any lol ........but i hope everything works out for both of u!! what a sweet couple im jealous!!

if this law applies in thailand, i would have already got married and divorced a few times lol

dont do it sandy !!

good luck man...sure you wont have any worries....any immigration officer going to look that girl into the eye and say no....is blind....

I have load of ring pulls, will send you some. Hope that will do...

hmm didn?t know this about the "here" country.

Sweden also has this kind of?common law" with certain legal rights similar to marriage. Here you are considered as couple immediately when you have your registrated address formally together.

The permanent residency you get immediately when you get the right to live in Sweden. The procedure for getting the permanent residency and an interview before entering Sweden is a nightmare though. Could take about 7-12 months and this is a bad tactic from the authorities really testing the relation. And the girl has to be in Thailand waiting :-) for that interview..... after 5 years here you have the right to a Swedish citizenship and you can keep your Thai citizenship too.

and good luck to both of you!!

Best of luck to you two

@Aommy: but if you're brother and sister, it only takes 2 years....

Thanks, Jay and Kitty, for the advice and offer of beer rings. In Canada we mainly drink from bottles, so beer rings are in very short supply.

By the way, just how expensive is expensive? Oriental package = $10,000, $20,000, what? Just curious you know.

Probably cheaper to take everyone to Rangoon to the Strand