So what's the best way to do this?

[JMF]

You all seem like an experienced and helpful lot so maybe you could give me a little advice?

I'm a Canadian, My girlfriend is American and we've been dating for 5 1/2 years. We figure it's time to set this in motion and get her up here into Canada. It's kind of completely overwhelmed her and it's been a little stressful for me trying to figure out the best way possible to do this.

First of all we were thinking about getting married during one of her next visits to Canada, I know you just tell them at the border it's a visit etc that's all. Does being married, being a spose make the application easier than just conjugal partners?

and would it be best for her to stay in Canada after getting married and apply from within, or best for her to go back into America and apply from the outside?...if she applied from the outside could she still come into Canada as a visitor and wait for the application result?


and just a few questions about the medical and criminal checks. Will we both be doing them? or just the one being sponsered? (they shouldn't be a problem wither way) and is it a good idea to get them done ahead of time so you can send them in with the application, or will they ask for it later?

I was thinking of finding a lawyer or rep to help out so that the forms would be perfect, and we wouldnt miss anything, but I dont think there are any in my immediate area I could go to.

Sorry for all the questions ()
thank you for anything that will help us out.

[Leon]

The conjugal partner category is intended for people who can't get married or live together to classify as common law so if there is nothing stopping you from getting married, it would be better if you did that.  It's better for somebody from the US to apply outside but that doesn't mean she has to be in the US.  She can stay with you in Canada as a visitor and still apply from the outside.

You can do the forms yourself if you read the instructions.  Start here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse.asp  It's not really that complicated.

[mitamata]

Yeah, don't worry about the forms, they're not that hard. And if you're unsure of anything, most times there's someone around here that can help you out

You won't need a criminal check or the medical exam. Your wife (assuming you'll be applying as spouses) will require both to be submitted when you file the application. She'll need a police certificate from every state she's lived in for 6 months or more since turning 18 as well as an FBI certificate.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp

When submitting the application, these should not be more than 3 months old, so don't get them way ahead of time. The medical exam is valid for 1 year, so do it as close to the point when you submit the application as possible. If it expires before she gets her visa, she will need to redo it.

[diddagirl]

JMF- is your girlfriend a college or university student by chance?
If so, the US has a SWAP program available in which she could come up here for 6 months (they have my b/f his for a year) on an open work visa...
But the catch is she HAS to be a student...

[JMF]

Thanks for your responses so far. I called the 1-888 number today too for additional questions and they're gonna mail me the forms.

She's not a student anymore, because she has a dog, a car etc we're probably going to get married and she will apply from outside of Canada. So she can freely visit while we wait. When crossing the border tho is it safe to say you're visiting your husband and that we have an application being processed. Or is it better to just stick to visiting a boyfriend. We've traveled back and forth before no problems but they always do ask about how'd we meet etc.

If I can, I'll continue to update on how things are going and I appreciate all responses. We're gonna work on getting her criminal check since apparently that can take awhile to process and be mailed to you.

[mitamata]

Tell the truth, visiting your spouse. Also, it's a good idea to have with you proof that you've submitted the sponsorship application, a copy of the fee payment receipt will do.