Need any and all advice on moving to Canada (from US)

[b1oldie]

Please excuse formatting, I’m on mobile.

My boyfriend (29m) lives in Canada and I (29f) live in the states (Georgia). We are planning on having myself and my son (currently 6 months old) move there in March. My boyfriend and I are wanting to get married soon after I arrive there and he wants to adopt my son. There is no father on my sons birth certificate just in case that’s relevant at all.

I will be starting the process of getting passports for myself and my son next month.

I’m mostly seeking advice on which steps and processes I need to take in which order to make sure this transition goes smoothly. Will my son automatically gain citizenship when he’s adopted? Can he have dual citizenship? Will there be any risk of being separated from my son if I have to leave Canada before gaining permanent residency? Would I have to file visitor visas for both of us or just myself?

Tyia for your time!

 

[armoured]

Please excuse formatting, I’m on mobile.

My boyfriend (29m) lives in Canada and I (29f) live in the states (Georgia). We are planning on having myself and my son (currently 6 months old) move there in March. My boyfriend and I are wanting to get married soon after I arrive there and he wants to adopt my son. There is no father on my sons birth certificate just in case that’s relevant at all.

I will be starting the process of getting passports for myself and my son next month.

I’m mostly seeking advice on which steps and processes I need to take in which order to make sure this transition goes smoothly. 1 - Will my son automatically gain citizenship when he’s adopted? 2- Can he have dual citizenship? 3- Will there be any risk of being separated from my son if I have to leave Canada before gaining permanent residency? 4- Would I have to file visitor visas for both of us or just myself?

Tyia for your time!

I would separate these steps: I believe in most provinces, adopting a stepchild who resides in that province is relatively simple. (Do NOT try to do international adoption, totally different thing). So get permanent resident status for you and the child first, then adopt. (Note, the provinces' definitions of 'resident' probably do not overlap exactly with the PR status, but 12 months residing in, or something like that. I'm using this loosely to state that probably will be considered a resident for purposes of the adoption roughly around time of receipt of PR status, perhaps plus some months, during which paperwork collection etc anyway).

Citizenship can come after that. For a child it's no rush really=, you'll have time to figure that out.

Look up 'how do I sponsor my spouse Canada' and follow the instructions:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...mily-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

He would sponsor you and the child at once, together. Basically cannot start that process until married (unless you were common law).

One point: when you 'move' to Canada in March, you'll be arriving as a visitor. While basically you can then extend after, you might have issues if you arrive at the border with all worldly belongings (because obviously not arriving to visit). Arrive as visitors, with appropriate stuff for a visit.

Separate questions (numbered)

1-No, it's not automatic. The citizen-parent (once adopted) can apply for a grant of citizenship once adoption completed. Mainly it's just forms, takes 6-12 months. Or can wait to apply after three years as a PR - also just forms, basically.

2 - Yes.

3 - What?

4- US passport holders enter as visitors but do not need to get visas in advance. Upon entry usually granted up to six months to remain (after which one can apply to extend, routinely granted for those with spouse sponsorship apps in progress).