american moving to canada

[kasia333]

Also, let's say I fly when I move there. Do I have to tell the border officer then that I plan on staying longer and my fiancee sponsoring me? Do I have to say anything about us wanting to get married? I don't want to later have problems getting the extension based on the fact that I didn't say anything while entering Canada.

 

[kasia333]

One last question, I promise...

When you move to Canada, what do you need to do with all your US credit cards/debt? Does it all have to be paid off? Is there a way of transferring it with you when you move to Canada? I don't have much, but just wondering how to go about that.

 

[amikety]

Now what's the best way to get my stuff there? I know that I can't be in a car with my boyfriend with boxes in the back cause they will stop me at the border.. They're not that dumb.

Also, is there a website of some sort or an organization that could help me find companies looking to hire foreigners in Canada? Most likely there won't be.. but I thought I'd ask anyways..

No, there are some agencies that specialize in this, but they most operate in Asia and South America. You should look into NAFTA if you qualify or search Kijiji for "LMO."

You should try to avoid those conversations with the IO. You can tell him/her you're visiting your bf, but I would avoid talking of marriage and/or sponsorship. Don't lie to the IO, because if they catch you, it'll be bad. If they ask if you plan to stay in Canada, you can always say something like, "Well, eventually we're going to have to pick a country and it's 50/50 we'll pick Canada. It's a nice country." Don't carry anything sponsorship related with you, including even the forms on a laptop computer.

 

[kasia333]

OK.. so let's say I get to Canada and the IO asks me how long I'm staying: Do I have to have a return ticket? Do I say 6 months? They always ask how long I'm staying and what I do in the states.

 

[amikety]

It's best to have a return ticket. You can book your trip with Priceline or Hotwire to save money and/or buy a refundable ticket for your return ticket. It's more expensive up front, but you will get most of the cost back when you refund it. (There are some small surcharges when you refund.) I also wouldn't say six months unless you have sufficient funds to support yourself and a letter of support from your bf. It would be better to say 1-2 weeks and you can 'change your mind' after you land. Your bf can ask you to stay (which is what my husband did, despite the fact we had already planned it). Then you can apply for the extension in status when needed.

 

[kasia333]

But in all technicality, isn't that lying? Also, isn't there a chance that I will get stopped at the airport/border if I do things that way?

 

[parker24]

But in all technicality, isn't that lying? Also, isn't there a chance that I will get stopped at the airport/border if I do things that way?

It's not really lying if you have the return ticket. It shows that you are prepared to have to return at that date.

 

[kasia333]

But I wouldn't return.. that's the part that I find to be a bit of a fib...

 

[parker24]

But I wouldn't return.. that's the part that I find to be a bit of a fib...

But you CAN return. You would have that ticket. That's the thing. If things didn't work out or you were so homesick, you would go home. Or if something were to happen at home, you have that ticket. So really, you're not lying. You have that ticket JUST IN CASE anything were to happen and you had to leave.

 

[kasia333]

So telling the immigration on the form/in person that I plan to return in 6 days and having a ticket for return 6 days later... but staying and making it 4-5 months, getting married, and extending my stay is ok? I'm just looking at all of it in a technical way since I don't want my omission to bite me in the butt later.

 

[parker24]

So telling the immigration on the form/in person that I plan to return in 6 days and having a ticket for return 6 days later... but staying and making it 4-5 months, getting married, and extending my stay is ok? I'm just looking at all of it in a technical way since I don't want my omission to bite me in the butt later.

That's totally fine. Because plans change. My husband originally came up to deliver a dog for his work (he worked in an animals shelter in TN) and ended up staying. That was May 2011.

 

[kasia333]

Thank you. I just want to look at all our options before making any decisions. We really appreciate everyone that has responded so far.