Wow, there are so many great posts here, which is a little overwhelming. I am hoping if I state my situation I may be able to get help from someone.
My boyfriend and I started seeing each other in 2008, he lives in Estevan, SK and I live in California. We visited each other a few times and decided I would move to Canada to be with him. I tried for the Skilled Worker / Professional Immigration
, and even had a company where he lives that was willing to sponser me, however they got turned down. With no other luck, we decided that perhaps it wasn't in the cards for us, since neither one of us were looking to get married at the time and went our separate ways. We both realize now how much we truly love each other and wish to get married and are trying to figure out the best way to go about this. I've read tons of posts on many websites but as I said above I'm a little overwhelmed.
Here are my questions:
1) Is is better for us to get married in the US or Canada for the Spousal sponsership? I've read "You can sponsor the person as your spouse if your marriage is a legally valid civil marriage. If your spouse is of the opposite sex and your marriage took place outside Canada, the marriage must be valid both under the laws of the jurisdiction where it took place and under Canadian law". Does this mean we can get married here in California, and use that marriage certificate when he applies for Spousal Sponsership?
2) I know I can get a temporary visa to visit Canada, with hope of extending that Visa, yet it doesn't look like I would be able to work while staying with him. The concern is leaving my well paying job now, and not having the ability to work. Although he has a fantasic job, his own home, etc, I wish to work too and would love to work in Canada. Is there a way of possibly getting a work permit of sorts while I am "visiting" there waiting for the Spousal sponsership to go through?
3) Would it be better if I moved closer to where he lives in Canada, but on the US side, like in North Dakota, so we can be closer together and prove we are seeing each other more frequently?
We both wish to go the quickest route we can to be together, but understand patience is what is going to bind us together for life. Any assistance you can render will be greaty appreciated!!
Wishing I Were in Canada...