So first for a bit of background.... I'm a 23 year old natural born US citizen and I recently got engaged to my Canadian boyfriend of 5 years. We have been living together for a year now, and I intend to start my PR application as a common law partner from within Canada. Right now I have a visitor extension until December, and I'm trying to figure out if it's safe to leave Canada for the christmas/thanksgiving holidays to see my family and to abide by my visitor extension. My original visitor visa was issued in January, and lasted until march, but I filed for an extension until the end of December to fulfill my common law requirement and start my PR application (that extension request was accepted).
I don't own a home in the US (or Canada for that matter, the house is in my Fiance's name) but my US residence is officially in NY, living with my Mother. I have a job for a mobile game company in California, but I work there remotely from Canada. This hasn't been too much of an issue so far, and the immigration officers have told me it's perfectly fine to work for a US company remotely from Canada. I don't make enough money to support myself, but my fiance has plenty of proof that he can support me while I am in Canada.
Question time!
1. We just got engaged, so we aren't going to be married until after my visitor extension expires. I'm assuming this means I should apply as Common-Law instead of as a Spouse, correct? Will changing my name in the middle of the process be an unecessary complication? Should I just hold off on changing my name or will that hurt me when the relationship is under review for immigration? Should we just go and get a marraige licence now and apply for spousal instead, despite that being less than ideal?
2. This is an important one... Would leaving Canada (even for a few days) disrupt my PR application, assuming I apply from within Canada? Should I apply from outside of Canada instead for that very reason?
3. If I apply from outside of Canada, is it less likely they will let me stay there for an extended period? Will they even let me in at all? I realize the processing times are quicker, but that doesnt mattter to me if they wont let me continue to live in Canada.
3. If I have submitted my PR application and have proof of that, is it more likely that I can return to Canada after visiting the US for a couple weeks? I have been going through the immigration process legally and have been living in Canada for the past year, but I am still afraid they won't let me return to what I call my home.
3. Once I leave Canada or once my visitor extension expires, Do I have to apply for another visitor extension even if I have a PR application being processed? In other words, does having a PR application being processed give you implied status?
4. Currently the PR application seems to take about 2 years to process... Is it likely that they will they allow me to keep submitting visitor extensions for the entire 2 years? Is it risky to leave Canada for travel/vacations during that time? I can stay in Canada the entire 2 years if needed, but I am close to my family in the USA and would still like to visit for holidays or in case of medical emergencies.
If you can answer any or all of the questions it would be greatly appreciated... I need to start my application very soon and am very anxious I might do something incorrectly. It would be absolutely devastating if I was denied entry to Canada, as my work setup (my desktop PC), my pets, and most of my possesions are here. In addition to that I am planning my wedding there, so it's incredibly important that I can make it back if I decide to leave for holidays or even my honeymoon.
Thank you again for your time and information!
I don't own a home in the US (or Canada for that matter, the house is in my Fiance's name) but my US residence is officially in NY, living with my Mother. I have a job for a mobile game company in California, but I work there remotely from Canada. This hasn't been too much of an issue so far, and the immigration officers have told me it's perfectly fine to work for a US company remotely from Canada. I don't make enough money to support myself, but my fiance has plenty of proof that he can support me while I am in Canada.
Question time!
1. We just got engaged, so we aren't going to be married until after my visitor extension expires. I'm assuming this means I should apply as Common-Law instead of as a Spouse, correct? Will changing my name in the middle of the process be an unecessary complication? Should I just hold off on changing my name or will that hurt me when the relationship is under review for immigration? Should we just go and get a marraige licence now and apply for spousal instead, despite that being less than ideal?
2. This is an important one... Would leaving Canada (even for a few days) disrupt my PR application, assuming I apply from within Canada? Should I apply from outside of Canada instead for that very reason?
3. If I apply from outside of Canada, is it less likely they will let me stay there for an extended period? Will they even let me in at all? I realize the processing times are quicker, but that doesnt mattter to me if they wont let me continue to live in Canada.
3. If I have submitted my PR application and have proof of that, is it more likely that I can return to Canada after visiting the US for a couple weeks? I have been going through the immigration process legally and have been living in Canada for the past year, but I am still afraid they won't let me return to what I call my home.
3. Once I leave Canada or once my visitor extension expires, Do I have to apply for another visitor extension even if I have a PR application being processed? In other words, does having a PR application being processed give you implied status?
4. Currently the PR application seems to take about 2 years to process... Is it likely that they will they allow me to keep submitting visitor extensions for the entire 2 years? Is it risky to leave Canada for travel/vacations during that time? I can stay in Canada the entire 2 years if needed, but I am close to my family in the USA and would still like to visit for holidays or in case of medical emergencies.
If you can answer any or all of the questions it would be greatly appreciated... I need to start my application very soon and am very anxious I might do something incorrectly. It would be absolutely devastating if I was denied entry to Canada, as my work setup (my desktop PC), my pets, and most of my possesions are here. In addition to that I am planning my wedding there, so it's incredibly important that I can make it back if I decide to leave for holidays or even my honeymoon.
Thank you again for your time and information!