American looking to move to Ontario

[mellybelly]

Hi i've had a long distance relationship with a canadian for alnost 12 years. We are wondering if it would be easier for me to move there. I've done some online research but is not clear cut. Would it be better to get a temp visa? Would i get perm. Residancy if we were married??

So overwhelmed!! Any info much appreciated!!!

Thanks, Melanie

 

[Rob_TO]

You can simply show up at the border and enter Canada as a visitor. You can't "move" here until you become a Permanent Resident (so you couldn't move all your stuff). Usually at the border the CBSA officer will give you a 6-month status to US citizens, if they are satisfied you don't intend to stay in Canada illegally. After 6 months you can apply to renew the visitor status.

Or you could see if you qualify for any jobs via NAFTA agreement, or for an open work permit via the SWAP program.

If you get married or become common-law (so live together for 12 continuous months) either in the US or Canada, then you can submit an application for PR. The process to get PR for US citizens is around 10 months or so.

 

[haddyxx]

It's overwhelming I know but you'd have options. You could do a family class sponsorship for permanent residency if you were married. It wouldn't matter whether you were in Canada or not. Otherwise you would need to be in a common-law relationship and have lived together for at least a year. The sponsor has to meet certain criteria and agree to financially support you for the length of the residency (three years) so they have income brackets to hit. It's a long and expensive process but worth it in the end.

Otherwise you could apply for permanent residency through the federal skilled worker program or Canadian experience class if you meet the criteria (I don't know enough about you).

If you don't want to do residency you could always find a job in Canada and then get a work permit. However, this would be unlikely right now as they are considering terminating the temporary worker program altogether.

Good luck!

 

[mellybelly]

Thanks for the info!! 8)

 

[taffy7]

It's overwhelming I know but you'd have options. You could do a family class sponsorship for permanent residency if you were married. It wouldn't matter whether you were in Canada or not. Otherwise you would need to be in a common-law relationship and have lived together for at least a year. The sponsor has to meet certain criteria and agree to financially support you for the length of the residency (three years) so they have income brackets to hit. It's a long and expensive process but worth it in the end.

Otherwise you could apply for permanent residency through the federal skilled worker program or Canadian experience class if you meet the criteria (I don't know enough about you).

If you don't want to do residency you could always find a job in Canada and then get a work permit. However, this would be unlikely right now as they are considering terminating the temporary worker program altogether.

Good luck!

As family sponsorship married or common law the sponsor do not have to meet a certain criteria financially. They can not be on welfare and is not going through bankruptcy. To apply you must be either married or have lived with each other for 12 continuous months.You can come and visit Canada and renew your extension here to remain in Canada. You can apply outland visiting Canada . This will give you the freedom to move around. If your Partner is a Canadian citizen he is also to free to move around. If he is a P.R. he must remain in Canada while the sponsorship is being processed.