Moving to Canada from US

[USAZNGRL]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time doing any sort of forum so please bare with me. I live in US and have been dating my Canadian boyfriend for almost 6 years now. We've both traveled back and forth to see each other etc. So show of proof that our relationship is genuine is not a problem. We have absolutely no direction on where to start in terms of starting the moving process to live together in Longueuil, QC. So if you all can kindly guide me, we'd like to know how to start this process so we can finally live together. Also will we need to get married to be together? We're quite young and in love, but would love to wait for marriage when we're more financially stable. However, if we have to legally get married in order to be together then we're up for it. We'll just put our cultural weddings on hold until we have the finance to have them. Thanks!

 

[noscaf2014]

Have you lived together continuously for 1 year without breaks?

 

[USAZNGRL]

Have you lived together continuously for 1 year without breaks?

Hello, no we have not. How can I do that? Would I need to apply for anything to live in Canada for a year?

 

[noscaf2014]

That is the main requirement for you to go through spousal sponsorship, you will need to live together for a year first (without breaks) to qualify. So, your options are to get married OR to go to Canada as a visitor and spend that 1 year together first. For the second option don't forget about applying to extend your stay as a visitor every 6 months. Also, I noticed that you are moving to QC, so you will also need to check your eligibility as well. Good Luck!

More details can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html
and here: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/family-reunification/requirements-sponsor/index.html

 

[USAZNGRL]

That is the main requirement for you to go through spousal sponsorship, you will need to live together for a year first (without breaks) to qualify. So, your options are to get married OR to go to Canada as a visitor and spend that 1 year together first. For the second option don't forget about applying to extend your stay as a visitor every 6 months. Also, I noticed that you are moving to QC, so you will also need to check your eligibility as well. Good Luck!

More details can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html

Oh! Thanks for the links!!

 

[USAZNGRL]

That is the main requirement for you to go through spousal sponsorship, you will need to live together for a year first (without breaks) to qualify. So, your options are to get married OR to go to Canada as a visitor and spend that 1 year together first. For the second option don't forget about applying to extend your stay as a visitor every 6 months. Also, I noticed that you are moving to QC, so you will also need to check your eligibility as well. Good Luck!

More details can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html
and here: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/family-reunification/requirements-sponsor/index.html

Another question: How would we prove that we've lived together for one year?

 

[jordo]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

But as you said above, if you're willing to legally get married you can begin the spousal sponsorship application right away rather than wait 12 months to achieve common law marriage before being able to apply.

Have a look through the Basic Guide for Spousal Sponsorships for an idea of what to expect.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5525-basic-guide-sponsor-your-spouse-partner-child.html

You'll have to choose between the two options:
Outland application where the applicant has the option of living in their home country while the sponsorship processes, or the applicant may be in Canada on a visitor visa (renewed every 6 months) but unable to work. USA outland apps without any complications take as little as 6 months-8 months to complete from beginning to end. CIC has a target to have 80% of all apps completed within 12 months. My wife's application took 9 months.

Inland application where the applicant is applying from within Canada. The applicant is able to obtain an open work permit on an inland application (processed separately but simultaneously to the PR app). OWP takes about 4-5 months to process but then you'll be able to work while the PR app processes. Inland apps also have a target of 12 months but generally take a bit longer than outland apps currently. The other stipulation for an inland app is the applicant is advised NOT to leave Canada for any reason for the duration of the process. It may be ok to leave for a week or 2 at a time but CBSA has no obligation to let you back into Canada. IF you're denied entry to Canada while the Inland application is in progress, CIC will cancel the application and deem it "abandoned" and you'll have to start from scratch again with an Outland application.

I think I got everything there.

 

[USAZNGRL]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

But as you said above, if you're willing to legally get married you can begin the spousal sponsorship application right away rather than wait 12 months to achieve common law marriage before being able to apply.

Have a look through the Basic Guide for Spousal Sponsorships for an idea of what to expect.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5525-basic-guide-sponsor-your-spouse-partner-child.html

You'll have to choose between the two options:
Outland application where the applicant has the option of living in their home country while the sponsorship processes, or the applicant may be in Canada on a visitor visa (renewed every 6 months) but unable to work. USA outland apps without any complications take as little as 6 months-8 months to complete from beginning to end. CIC has a target to have 80% of all apps completed within 12 months. My wife's application took 9 months.

Inland application where the applicant is applying from within Canada. The applicant is able to obtain an open work permit on an inland application (processed separately but simultaneously to the PR app). OWP takes about 4-5 months to process but then you'll be able to work while the PR app processes. Inland apps also have a target of 12 months but generally take a bit longer than outland apps currently. The other stipulation for an inland app is the applicant is advised NOT to leave Canada for any reason for the duration of the process. It may be ok to leave for a week or 2 at a time but CBSA has no obligation to let you back into Canada. IF you're denied entry to Canada while the Inland application is in progress, CIC will cancel the application and deem it "abandoned" and you'll have to start from scratch again with an Outland application.

I think I got everything there.

Wow, thank you for your thorough help! I really appreciate it!

 

[jordo]

You may want to ask here for any Quebec specific questions as well.
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/forums/quebec-immigration.55/