How can we stay together?

[audriesgirl]

Hi everyone,

New to the forum, but after reading and seeing the support I wanted to see if I could get some feedback for my situation as well. Here are some details of our case:

I'm American, my boyfriend is Canadian and we are planning to get married. We want to start our life together, but we are still debating on where that start will be. Since we do not want to delay this step in our relationship, we were planning on doing the fiancé visa to States, get married here, and then possibly relocate to Canada with the marriage visa. Of course, it seems complicated bc we'd have to go through the fiancé process plus the Canadian process. Is there a faster route?

We wouldn't apply common law or conjugal. But if we got married in the US under the fiancé visa, I also don't know how shady it would look to apply to live in Canada to the Immigration Officers. Nor do I know how long we need to wait out the paperwork (PR, EAD for US) before we can leave to Canada.

1. If we apply outland, do I need to do the office nearest me? I live in California and processing times in LA takes 26 months..yuck! So does that mean we will be apart that long? Can I apply at a different office like Ottawa (15 months)?

2. Can I stay with him in Canada while processing the application? My guess is no. If so, how often can I visit him as long as I have proof I'll return to states until application finishes?

3. Is there a better way to do this? We don't want to live apart. He's willing to live in States, but he has a good job in Canada. Should we try staying in States for a bit after marriage and then apply to move to Canada.

I'm interested in hearing everyone's feedback. Thanks!

 

[rhcohen2014]

first of all, you do not qualify to apply as a conjugal couple. that is for people who have significant barriers to getting married, which you do not. if you plan to get married, then your best bet is to apply for permanent resident sponsorship through spousal family class. commonlaw requires proof of cohabitating for 365 consecutive days, and if you plan to get married, it does not seem logical to apply this way.

All US applications get sent to Ottawa for processing. Applications "only" go to LA if there are red flags in the application (criminal/relationship issues). Currently, US applicants are getting processed in 8-12 months.

US applicants should apply via OUTLAND. This gives you the flexibility to go back and forth to visit. When you enter as a visitor, make sure to maintain significant ties to the us (apartment/house) to prove you have something to go back to. Once you enter as a visitor, you can apply to extend your visit for the duration of the application process, essentially staying there the whole time. you just won't be able to work. You are always "visiting", never "moving" or "living" until you receive the approval for PR.

there is no "fast" route for this. We all have to wait 8-12 months to get there legally to be with our loved ones.

 

[rhcohen2014]

also, please refrain from asking the same question as your BF right after he does. it's not going to get you answers any quicker, and it will soon start to annoy posters. obviously if there are different questions, ask away. otherwise, wait for members to answer a question before repeating it in a different thread. thanks!