Advice on how to visit partner, get married, and apply outland.

[Loverbunnyx]

I'm fairly new to all of this, but my partner and I have recently decided that I should come for an extended visit, just to make sure we could actually handle being together all of the time before we take the big leap into marriage. From things I've read, it is perfectly fine to visit your partner during the PR process of the application. I just want some advice/stories on how to do this legally. Our plans consist of me visiting for 6 months, and if all is well in that time, getting engaged and married shortly after. Since processing time takes about 12 months right now, I would be there for 18 months IF we got married at the 6 month mark, which may or may not happen. Is it possible to do this? I'm not sure that I would bring my car, because traveling for that long in a different country with a car registered and insured in America just seems like another thing to worry about. We would like to be with each other as much as possible during this whole process.

Let me know if there is ANY information you think I may find useful.
And I mean any .

Thanks in advance!

 

[amikety]

I'd leave the car at home with someone you trust. You won't be able to have it in Canada with American plates forever - especially 18 months! You may consider selling the car (consider all angles, including your ability to get a new car if things don't work out) or leaving it in the car of a relative (I signed my title over to my father).

Come to visit whether you drive or fly. Get your passport stamp for six months. If you want to stay longer, you extend your stay online at month 5 (30 days before status expires) or flagpole at the border with your boyfriend before the six month mark. It's techincally 180 days, so I would go at 5.5 months. Especially in the summer/fall when a lot of months are 31 days. Or count the days out on a calendar.

Will you be making the journey alone?

Whether you go by plane or car, politely explain to the IO you're visiting your boyfriend. He/She may ask if you have funds to support yourself and where you're staying. (I needed the physical address.) You can let the IO know your boyfriend will provide lodging and meals, but it is a good idea to have a bank statement or credit cards to show the IO. (I had to show I had two credit cards with me my first trip.)

 

[Loverbunnyx]

I'd leave the car at home with someone you trust. You won't be able to have it in Canada with American plates forever - especially 18 months! You may consider selling the car (consider all angles, including your ability to get a new car if things don't work out) or leaving it in the car of a relative (I signed my title over to my father).

Come to visit whether you drive or fly. Get your passport stamp for six months. If you want to stay longer, you extend your stay online at month 5 (30 days before status expires) or flagpole at the border with your boyfriend before the six month mark. It's techincally 180 days, so I would go at 5.5 months. Especially in the summer/fall when a lot of months are 31 days. Or count the days out on a calendar.

Will you be making the journey alone?

Whether you go by plane or car, politely explain to the IO you're visiting your boyfriend. He/She may ask if you have funds to support yourself and where you're staying. (I needed the physical address.) You can let the IO know your boyfriend will provide lodging and meals, but it is a good idea to have a bank statement or credit cards to show the IO. (I had to show I had two credit cards with me my first trip.)

I've definitely considered selling the car. At this point, it's been more of a negative factor in my life than a positive one.
I would definitely mark the day on the calendar. I love to have a calendar so I can physically see something, rather than having it in my head.
Yes, I will be alone for the journey. Well, he will probably make the drive down, so that I don't have to spend money on a plane ticket AND check all of my luggage. Do you think they would mind if I brought my TV? If I were to stay for 6 months, I'd like to bring my TV, since it's less than 1 year old and it would be a shame to put it in storage..
As of right now, I don't have any credit cards. Would opening one before the trip help my story out?

Thanks for the help!

 

[amikety]

I only showed the credit cards because I didn't bring a lot of cash or a bank statement with me.

The TV might be okay or it might give them an excuse to search your entire car. Your reasoning is sound. It might just hit the IO the wrong way.

I am a little confused though. Your boyfriend is driving down? To where? Will he cross the border with you?

Try not to bring too much. Using the excuse you're female only goes so far. (I've used the excuses "I needed a different pair of shoes for each outfit" and "Jeans don't go with everything!" In reality, I packed all the shoes I owned, because I'm not into shoes.)

 

[Loverbunnyx]

I only showed the credit cards because I didn't bring a lot of cash or a bank statement with me.

The TV might be okay or it might give them an excuse to search your entire car. Your reasoning is sound. It might just hit the IO the wrong way.

I am a little confused though. Your boyfriend is driving down? To where? Will he cross the border with you?

Try not to bring too much. Using the excuse you're female only goes so far. (I've used the excuses "I needed a different pair of shoes for each outfit" and "Jeans don't go with everything!" In reality, I packed all the shoes I owned, because I'm not into shoes.)

I mean I wouldn't mind them searching everything, as I wouldn't be bringing anything against the rules, but it would be a bit of a hassle.
Yes, he would drive down to Maryland, probably stay with me for a couple of days and help me get my things together, then we would pack up his car and cross the border together. Would this be beneficial, or hurt our cause?
Thankfully, I don't have many clothes/shoes as is, so not bringing too much wouldn't be a huge task ;P.

 

[amikety]

Okay, that clears it up. That is a good thing! Just let him do all the talking! He can explain you're his girlfriend and he wants you to come meet his parents/family. (This may require you to trust him driving your car.) He can bring a few paystubs with him to show he can help support you.

The search thing sounds like something you want to avoid, based on other user's experiences. From what I've read, they make you wait alone (separated) for 2-3 hours while they search. A lot of people liken the experience to being treated like a criminal, even if they know the IOs are doing their jobs persay.

 

[Loverbunnyx]

Okay, that clears it up. That is a good thing! Just let him do all the talking! He can explain you're his girlfriend and he wants you to come meet his parents/family. (This may require you to trust him driving your car.) He can bring a few paystubs with him to show he can help support you.

The search thing sounds like something you want to avoid, based on other user's experiences. From what I've read, they make you wait alone (separated) for 2-3 hours while they search. A lot of people liken the experience to being treated like a criminal, even if they know the IOs are doing their jobs persay.

Noo he would be driving down with his car, and driving us back with his car . Good, I'm glad it would be beneficial!
I definitely understand with the car searching thing. Hopefully it doesn't happen, but if it does, it's necessary for the greater cause .

 

[tavora]

I mean I wouldn't mind them searching everything, as I wouldn't be bringing anything against the rules, but it would be a bit of a hassle.
Yes, he would drive down to Maryland, probably stay with me for a couple of days and help me get my things together, then we would pack up his car and cross the border together. Would this be beneficial, or hurt our cause?
Thankfully, I don't have many clothes/shoes as is, so not bringing too much wouldn't be a huge task ;P.

My husband and I recently made the trip by car from California to BC and didn't encounter any trouble when crossing. Although I (the Canadian) was with him, which helped, I think. We had our PR application filed in July and he came up here at the beginning of February with his car packed up (including his guitar, desktop computer and TV). The IO we encountered did not seem concerned about all his belongings. He was more concerned about whether or not there were any weapons in the vehicle and how my husband could take off so much time from work. We asked for a vistor's record for him and were on our way. Two days later we got PPR - I'm not sure if the crossing had anything to do with it or if it is just a coincidence (probably the latter).

 

[Loverbunnyx]

My husband and I recently made the trip by car from California to BC and didn't encounter any trouble when crossing. Although I (the Canadian) was with him, which helped, I think. We had our PR application filed in July and he came up here at the beginning of February with his car packed up (including his guitar, desktop computer and TV). The IO we encountered did not seem concerned about all his belongings. He was more concerned about whether or not there were any weapons in the vehicle and how my husband could take off so much time from work. We asked for a vistor's record for him and were on our way. Two days later we got PPR - I'm not sure if the crossing had anything to do with it or if it is just a coincidence (probably the latter).

I wonder if the fact that you're married helped the situation at all.. Hmm.. I hope we have an IO as understanding as yours! Thanks for the info

 

[parker24]

Just to let you know, you CAN have your car here for a long period under USA registration and insurance. Hubby had his from May 2011 until now, under USA. Just make sure your insurance covers you here! Plus, know that importing, is a pain in the butt sometimes.

 

[Loverbunnyx]

Just to let you know, you CAN have your car here for a long period under USA registration and insurance. Hubby had his from May 2011 until now, under USA. Just make sure your insurance covers you here! Plus, know that importing, is a pain in the butt sometimes.

Ah okay, thanks . I highly doubt I will bring my car though. There are a couple of reasons off of the top of my head.
1. He lives in Quebec. I BARELY speak ANY French, so going anywhere alone for a while would be a little scary for me .
2. I'm from Maryland. 1 inch of snow here is enough to get school canceled for the day. I'm not used to snow, especially the large amounts that Canada receives in the winter. So that's a part of the year where I would avoid driving as well .

 

[amikety]

Ah okay, thanks . I highly doubt I will bring my car though. There are a couple of reasons off of the top of my head.
1. He lives in Quebec. I BARELY speak ANY French, so going anywhere alone for a while would be a little scary for me .
2. I'm from Maryland. 1 inch of snow here is enough to get school canceled for the day. I'm not used to snow, especially the large amounts that Canada receives in the winter. So that's a part of the year where I would avoid driving as well .

September - June.

I suggest you get used to the snow. Not trying to be mean, but it's a fact of life in Canada. I made the decision to suck it up and not complain (after living in Atlanta for the better part of ten years). Plus if you let the snow run your life, you're going to be miserable in the winter. That being said, I don't drive...

Buy yourself a nice oversized mug or two, for coffee or hot chocolate, so you can relax inside and gaze at the snow. It's fun for the first while.