CANADIAN GIRLFRIEND, AMERICAN BOYFRIEND

[mikael978]

I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE WEB LOOKING FOR INFO ON HOW THIS WORKS, LOOKING AT WHAT STEPS WE SHOULD TAKE, BUT ULTIMATLY THE GOAL IS FOR ME ( AMERICAN BOYFRIEND) TO MOVE TO BC WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, MARIAGE IS GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT WHAT I FIND SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND IS THE PROCESS BEFORE. THE PART WERE YOU HAVE TO PROVE YOU LIVED TOGETHER FOR 12 MONTHS STRAIGHT. WHEN IT CLEARLY STATES ON THE CIC WEBSITE, NO ONE CAN LIVE IN CANADA WITH OUT A PR! IM NOT REALY SURE IF ITS A WORD GAME THEY ARE PLAYING OR WHAT IT IS, BUT SOME CLEARIFACATION WOULD BE FANTASTIC. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO GET MARRIED AND GET MY PR STATUS. IF SOME ONE CAN HELP ME WITH ANY OR ALL THE INFO I NEED, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE, WHILE I AM " VISITING" CAN I HAVE MY VEHICAL, IT WILL HAVE MASSACHUSITS PLATES AS THAT IS MY CURRENT ADDRESS. AGIAN ALL AND ANY INFO WOULD BE SO MUCH HELP TO THE CAUSE THANKS AGIN. IF IT HELPS I HAVE FAMILY THAT LIVES IN NEW BRUNSWICK, MY MOTHERS SIDE OF THE FAMILY IS ALL FRENCH CANDIAN, THANKS ALOT GUYS.

 

[Ponga]

Ok...turn off your caps lock, please.

The first thing you need to know is that `Living' in Canada is a dichotomy, in terms of meaning:

In the eyes of the CBSA...a person cannot legally live in Canada until they have authorization to do so.

In the eyes of CIC...they don't seem to care, as long as you entered Canada legally and have (or maintain) whatever status you had when you entered the country.
This is the delicate dance of semantics.

Your situation is probably one of the most common, believe it or not, and there's good news for you. All you need to do is come to Canada to `visit' your girlfriend (assuming she's already here). You will hopefully get the automatic 6 month visitor authorization that all visa-exempt travelers are eligible for. However, it will be the sole discretion of the border officer to determine how long your authorized stay will be. You may be asked for things like proof of funds to sustain yourself while in Canada, ties back home (job, housing, bank account(s), etc.), or you may not even be asked at all. It's a roll of the dice. Driving your vehicle into Canada [temporarily] is usually not a problem, but you would need to check with your insurance company to verify coverage in Canada.

As long as you are allowed entry into Canada, you simply apply to extend your stay before the expiry date. Citing that you desire to remain in Canada to establish the 1 year requirement of cohabiting with your girlfriend is, again, a very common thing and is usually approved, unless there are `issues' with your past that would warrant a refusal.

 

[Ponga]

Actually, since your goal is to get married and then apply for spousal sponsorship that makes things even easier for you.

1. Get married (anywhere)
2. Submit an Outland application (stupid fast for most Americans [like ~ 6 months total])
3. Come to Canada to `visit' your bride
4. Cheer the day when your COPR document arrives in the mail, then drive to the nearest land border to become a PR.

Note: Ignore #3 if you decide to get married in Canada and then submit the Outland application. Most people don't even realize that they can be IN Canada with an Outland application in the `pile'.

Good luck!

 

[Alurra71]

Is your mother Canadian by chance, since you said her entire family is French Canadian ...

If she is, there is a chance that you may also be which would mean you don't require PR

 

[mikael978]

my mothers mother, so my grandmother was born in canada, but my mother was born in the usa

 

[mikael978]

Actually, since your goal is to get married and then apply for spousal sponsorship that makes things even easier for you.

1. Get married (anywhere)
2. Submit an Outland application (stupid fast for most Americans [like ~ 6 months total])
3. Come to Canada to `visit' your bride
4. Cheer the day when your COPR document arrives in the mail, then drive to the nearest land border to become a PR.

Note: Ignore #3 if you decide to get married in Canada and then submit the Outland application. Most people don't even realize that they can be IN Canada with an Outland application in the `pile'.

Good luck!

you makes it seem so easy! were as on the website things so hard and difficult, the one thing that bugs me is, how do they expect some one to "visit" for 12 months ands not be able to work???

 

[Ponga]

you makes it seem so easy! were as on the website things so hard and difficult, the one thing that bugs me is, how do they expect some one to "visit" for 12 months ands not be able to work???

Well, there are ways around that. For example, a person can work remotely from Canada as long as they have no Canadian clients, nor are they remunerated in Canada. This is a great option if a person is a freelancer that works online.

Again, you should really consider the Outland application, even though you wouldn't be eligible for the Open work Permit (OWP) because it's usually wicked fast for Americans.

 

[Alurra71]

you makes it seem so easy! were as on the website things so hard and difficult, the one thing that bugs me is, how do they expect some one to "visit" for 12 months ands not be able to work???

They expect that you are visiting, therefore not wanting to work. You do realize that you can spend 12 months in more than one place to be considered cohabiting, right?

I understand the official site is crazy hard to understand, there is a LOT of information to sort through and not having an idea where to start makes it that much more difficult. You should start reading here to get a more in depth idea of what roads to Canadian PR are available to you. That very first post is quite accurate, albeit very slightly outdated. The modes still remain the same, however. Familiarize yourself with them, which will in turn, help to alleviate some of the angst you currently feel. It is a daunting task to immigrate to another country, it was never meant to be easy, but it is quite manageable with some knowledge and information under your belt. Read and absorb. This forum is a fount of information regarding sponsorships.

On a side note, since your mother was born outside Canada then you are not eligible to be a Canadian, however, I believe your mother likely is, if she isn't already.

 

[mikael978]

Well, there are ways around that. For example, a person can work remotely from Canada as long as they have no Canadian clients, nor are they remunerated in Canada. This is a great option if a person is a freelancer that works online.

Again, you should really consider the Outland application, even though you wouldn't be eligible for the Open work Permit (OWP) because it's usually wicked fast for Americans.

and i can still stay " visiting" while the application goes threw?

 

[mikael978]

Ok...turn off your caps lock, please.

The first thing you need to know is that `Living' in Canada is a dichotomy, in terms of meaning:

In the eyes of the CBSA...a person cannot legally live in Canada until they have authorization to do so.

In the eyes of CIC...they don't seem to care, as long as you entered Canada legally and have (or maintain) whatever status you had when you entered the country.
This is the delicate dance of semantics.

Your situation is probably one of the most common, believe it or not, and there's good news for you. All you need to do is come to Canada to `visit' your girlfriend (assuming she's already here). You will hopefully get the automatic 6 month visitor authorization that all visa-exempt travelers are eligible for. However, it will be the sole discretion of the border officer to determine how long your authorized stay will be. You may be asked for things like proof of funds to sustain yourself while in Canada, ties back home (job, housing, bank account(s), etc.), or you may not even be asked at all. It's a roll of the dice. Driving your vehicle into Canada [temporarily] is usually not a problem, but you would need to check with your insurance company to verify coverage in Canada.

As long as you are allowed entry into Canada, you simply apply to extend your stay before the expiry date. Citing that you desire to remain in Canada to establish the 1 year requirement of cohabiting with your girlfriend is, again, a very common thing and is usually approved, unless there are `issues' with your past that would warrant a refusal.

i just got back from a visting trip to see my girlfriend for 10 days, when i lamded in vancouver, and went threw customs they asked me were i worked, and were i was going, looked at my passport picture, and i was on my way, no stamp no nothing.

 

[Alurra71]

Us citizens don't get stamped, unless they are required to leave prior to the implied 6 months.

NO STAMP = Very good, in this instance.

 

[volkov]

correct me if I'm wrong, but the 12 months is for common law I believe, if you are married there is no 12 month rule

 

[canadianwoman]

Right. If the OP wants to do this more quickly, they should get married. They can then apply as soon as they can get the application ready. This also has the advantage that the applicant does not have to wait around in Canada not working for 12 months.

 

[mikael978]

getting married at this time in our realationship, well it just wouldent be right. trying to take the time make sure its the right choice for the both of us, so the 12 month common law way seems best fitting for us, does it help at all that oim from usa? i feel like it might make the hole process a lot easier. im hoping it does. now to save up enough money to support myself for a years time "visiting" thanks for all the info guys, realy put my mind at ease knowing its not as complex as it may seem. ;D

 

[canadianwoman]

Yes, applicants from the USA require less proof and are more likely to be approved. This is true for applicants from any country that is similar to Canada, such as Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc.