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kmmmarie

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Hi everyone.
I am moving up to to live with my boyfriend in Canada on August 6.I live in the US currently. I have a one way flight booked for that date, and on September 3rd my parents are driving up to bring me my car. (I can provide this information to customs in case they deny me entry thinking I intend to stay-which I obviously do, but still.) That aside, I need to make sure that i've gotten my ducks in a row regarding our plan to obtain my citizenship in the future.
I intend to stay the six months my passport allows me, and renew my visit online before the six months is up. I have a couple questions regarding this: If I apply online, what happens afterward? How soon before my due date do I need to apply, and if I apply online, do I need to go to the border to do anything? Do I receive any documents? How many times can I renew it? Which leads to the next question...
I am going to live with him for one year and apply for Common-law sponsorship. Which, from what i've read, will take the majority of two years (one year living together and 11 months or so of processing). Will I have to keep renewing my visit after we apply for sponsorship?
He is perfectly capable of supporting me, so finding a job is not a priority (would be amazing, but not dire). I'm just concerned if there are any holes in this plan, any advice anyone could give me, and suggestions, etc.
Thank you!
-K
 
Getting through the border is the first hole. You have to prove to the VO that you have hard ties to the US - a job, a house (payment), school, etc. Just a car and stuff isn't enough.

You will not be able to work - period - until you have your PR.

Is there a reason you don't want to marry? It's your personal business, but it would make the whole process a lot simpler. And quicker.
 
kmmmarie said:
Hi everyone.
I am moving up to to live with my boyfriend in Canada on August 6.I live in the US currently. I have a one way flight booked for that date, and on September 3rd my parents are driving up to bring me my car. (I can provide this information to customs in case they deny me entry thinking I intend to stay-which I obviously do, but still.) That aside, I need to make sure that i've gotten my ducks in a row regarding our plan to obtain my citizenship in the future.
I intend to stay the six months my passport allows me, and renew my visit online before the six months is up. I have a couple questions regarding this: If I apply online, what happens afterward? How soon before my due date do I need to apply, and if I apply online, do I need to go to the border to do anything? Do I receive any documents? How many times can I renew it? Which leads to the next question...
I am going to live with him for one year and apply for Common-law sponsorship. Which, from what i've read, will take the majority of two years (one year living together and 11 months or so of processing). Will I have to keep renewing my visit after we apply for sponsorship?
He is perfectly capable of supporting me, so finding a job is not a priority (would be amazing, but not dire). I'm just concerned if there are any holes in this plan, any advice anyone could give me, and suggestions, etc.
Thank you!
-K

i think the one way ticket will be a red flag to the IO at the POE, you will have to prove ties back to the US as well, and having a one way ticket will make them think straight away that you dont intend to return to the US.
 
I agree it would be better to have a return ticket. Get one dated a month or two from when you want to enter Canada, and only tell the border official you will be visiting - definitely do not tell them you are coming up here to live. As long as the border agent thinks you are just visiting, there should be no problems. Best to have proof of ties to the USA just in case they ask, which they probably won't as long as they believe you are a tourist.
In any case, once you get in you won't be able to work legally. You can get an open work permit if you apply inland, but that takes 9 or 10 months; by applying outland you will probably have your PR by then, so most people suggest Americans apply outland. You can stay in Canada as a visitor while you wait.
Apply to extend your stay about one month before the 6 months is up.
 
The reason I mentioned my parents driving up with my car is because I plan to tell the officials I am flying up early, and leaving with my parents when they drive up. I certainly don't intend on telling them i'm not leaving. I'll be able to provide them with hotel booking, etc. I don't believe I'll have a problem going through.
Work is not an issue, and i'm not concerned with not being able to work. That's no biggie.
Only thing i'm concerned with is how many times i'll be able to renew my visit, and what happens after I renew it online.
Thank you guys for your responses.
 
kmmmarie said:
The reason I mentioned my parents driving up with my car is because I plan to tell the officials I am flying up early, and leaving with my parents when they drive up. I certainly don't intend on telling them i'm not leaving. I'll be able to provide them with hotel booking, etc. I don't believe I'll have a problem going through.
Work is not an issue, and i'm not concerned with not being able to work. That's no biggie.
Only thing i'm concerned with is how many times i'll be able to renew my visit, and what happens after I renew it online.
Thank you guys for your responses.

IMO You are not likely to convince a VO that you will be leaving with your parents. The first question in my head would be why didn't you drive up with them?
The issue is likely to be gaining entry to Canada, not how many times you can renew (which no one can answer for you with 100% certainty, as it is case specific).

Do you actually intend to keep the car in Canada and have your parents fly back?
Will the car contain some of your property?

You need to be able to offer solid proof that as a visitor you will visit, not stay.
Carrying a return ticket is a sensible choice.

Be aware that lying is not a good move, misrepresentation is a big issue.
http://immipedia.ca/Misrepresentation

Plan for a visit, make a visit, there is no law against you changing plans once in Canada, but lying is a bad choice, easy really :)
 
kmmmarie said:
The reason I mentioned my parents driving up with my car is because I plan to tell the officials I am flying up early, and leaving with my parents when they drive up. I certainly don't intend on telling them i'm not leaving. I'll be able to provide them with hotel booking, etc. I don't believe I'll have a problem going through.
Work is not an issue, and i'm not concerned with not being able to work. That's no biggie.
Only thing i'm concerned with is how many times i'll be able to renew my visit, and what happens after I renew it online.
Thank you guys for your responses.

like Baloo said No one can answer you 100% certainty, so best bet is to read the guide to applying online http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp maybe that will help.