Passport requirements if I'm not returning

[Voiceless]

I am a citizen of the United States, and I intend to enter Canada by land. My intentions are to stay for the full 6 month period allowed, and then apply to extend my stay for another 6 months so that my girlfriend (Canadian citizen) and I can meet the requirements necessary to be considered common-law partners, in which case she will then sponsor me for immigration.

My question is, since I won't be returning to the United States (or at least, won't be returning for at least a year), will I run into any problems if I attempt to cross the border without a passport? I know I can present a certified copy of my birth certificate, and a valid government issued photo ID (driver's license) for entry, but I've also heard many border patrol officials would be hesitant to allow me into Canada, because I would then technically be "stuck" there, since I would not have the passport necessary for re-entry.

I'd really rather avoid the extra cost of the passport, and my girlfriend and I have already waited so long to be together, that we both would really rather not wait the extra 4-6 weeks for my passport.

So, once again, my question is---can anyone see any problems with me entering Canada by presenting my birth certificate and my driver's license?

 

[scylla]

I believe you may need a passport in order to apply to extend your visit in Canada. I would check that out before you leave for Canada. The requirements can be found here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visitor.asp

You will definitely need a passport in order to apply for PR (no alternatives are accepted). So sooner or later you will need to obtain a US passport.

 

[Voiceless]

Yeah, I knew that I would eventually need a passport---I was just hoping to get it taken care of AFTER I get into Canada. The girlfriend and I are like a couple of teenagers.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[larryUK]

Isn't the common law route quite a hard way to get accepted for PR? It's more than just living together for 12 months, you need to go quite far with things like sharing bills etc (with a paper trail), joint bank account. You may be intending to this, just wondering if you're worried about the cost of a passport how you are going to go 12+ months without any income and still fill the common law requirements?

Not trying to rain on your parade or anything, I'm in a simular position to you (apart from being from the UK) with a Canadian GF and it's horrible the times being apart so am interested in your situation. We are getting married towards the end of the year primaraily because we love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together but secondary it seems a more secure way to get accepted for PR rather than trying to go down the common law route which presents some difficulties.

 

[Creampop]

If you do not have a valid passport you will be turned away.... I've seen it happen... and it's in the mail doesn't work.... it's a travel document that as a traveling American you should have it in retrospect is your visa.... atleast for the first 6 months of your stay...