I wasn't sure where to post this, but since the end goal is family sponsorship and probably citizenship I figured it should be fine here.
Background: I am a Canadian citizen (male) who met an American girl while working abroad for a year, and we entered into a relationship then, and are still in one. She is currently pregnant and back in the US living with her family, and I'm back in Canada (Alberta). She doesn't have a university degree, but is eventually interested in getting one. She will give birth in about 3 months from now (October), and we're already looking into ways that she could possibly come to Canada. She is going to give birth of course in the US because she currently has medicare coverage, and will likely stay there for a while after to get any afterbirth care she needs. Rushing her into Canada before this while she likely has no healthcare coverage as a visitor in Canada seems pointless and expensive.
From the options I can see on the CIC website, common law is basically the only option outside of marriage, and you guys have repeatedly said on this forum that conjugal status is basically impossible for American citizens to get, and in general so difficult to get that it's basically a waste of time anyway. We have a baby on the way, so I can't stress enough how important it is that this stuff starts going forward and how serious I am about making it happen.
I'll be honest, the CIC website is pretty vague and annoying outside of information about the actual forms or qualifications. They don't really give you any information on how to make something like common law actually happen (living together 1 year at min at same address), which makes me really consider that the liberal government really doesn't actually care much about "reuniting families".
So this is where I need help from you guys! Here's some main questions I have.
How could we get to a year together to even begin the application process for common law?
She has to enter Canada at some point so we can begin living at the same address. So what is a good method of her getting across the border (definitely going to be a land border crossing with her stuff in her vehicle)? I've heard dual intent is ok, but then the CIC wants to be told that you'll also leave. So what's the way around this double speak? Is there an estimate on a specific dollar amount she should have in a bank account?
Since she is American, does she need a TRV, or can she just come in as a visitor? After that do we extend her visa for the year? The fact that we have a child together (that will also be a Canadian citizen) seems like a pretty good reason to me for extending her stay, but do you think immigration is going to accept that?
Can she eventually work while we are in the process of waiting this year before starting the common law application? How would that work and does she need a different visa? I already have a place to live where she the baby and I could live, and I could just work and support us, but she would likely want to work as well at some point. I also personally think if she had employment it would probably strengthen our case for eventually getting permanent resident status.
After the baby is born, I will apply for Canadian citizenship for her. Is this a difficult process, or is it just an application with the proper documents and a wait time? Is there anything else to be aware of?
Could she register her american car in Canada? What kind of cost would it be, and is it possible on a visitor visa?
The baby would get healthcare as a citizen once her citizenship is granted, but what about my girlfriend? She definitely wouldn't receive it as a visitor, but if she were hired could she get on it through a company?
It wasn't my intention to write a post this long, but I'd rather give you guys more information than a "coming to Canada in 2 days, wat do?" post that I've seen on this forum plenty of times. There is also still quite a long time til she will ever come up to Canada, so I'm trying to do all the planning and preparation for this beforehand.
Responses are greatly appreciated and needed.
Thank you.
Background: I am a Canadian citizen (male) who met an American girl while working abroad for a year, and we entered into a relationship then, and are still in one. She is currently pregnant and back in the US living with her family, and I'm back in Canada (Alberta). She doesn't have a university degree, but is eventually interested in getting one. She will give birth in about 3 months from now (October), and we're already looking into ways that she could possibly come to Canada. She is going to give birth of course in the US because she currently has medicare coverage, and will likely stay there for a while after to get any afterbirth care she needs. Rushing her into Canada before this while she likely has no healthcare coverage as a visitor in Canada seems pointless and expensive.
From the options I can see on the CIC website, common law is basically the only option outside of marriage, and you guys have repeatedly said on this forum that conjugal status is basically impossible for American citizens to get, and in general so difficult to get that it's basically a waste of time anyway. We have a baby on the way, so I can't stress enough how important it is that this stuff starts going forward and how serious I am about making it happen.
I'll be honest, the CIC website is pretty vague and annoying outside of information about the actual forms or qualifications. They don't really give you any information on how to make something like common law actually happen (living together 1 year at min at same address), which makes me really consider that the liberal government really doesn't actually care much about "reuniting families".
So this is where I need help from you guys! Here's some main questions I have.
How could we get to a year together to even begin the application process for common law?
She has to enter Canada at some point so we can begin living at the same address. So what is a good method of her getting across the border (definitely going to be a land border crossing with her stuff in her vehicle)? I've heard dual intent is ok, but then the CIC wants to be told that you'll also leave. So what's the way around this double speak? Is there an estimate on a specific dollar amount she should have in a bank account?
Since she is American, does she need a TRV, or can she just come in as a visitor? After that do we extend her visa for the year? The fact that we have a child together (that will also be a Canadian citizen) seems like a pretty good reason to me for extending her stay, but do you think immigration is going to accept that?
Can she eventually work while we are in the process of waiting this year before starting the common law application? How would that work and does she need a different visa? I already have a place to live where she the baby and I could live, and I could just work and support us, but she would likely want to work as well at some point. I also personally think if she had employment it would probably strengthen our case for eventually getting permanent resident status.
After the baby is born, I will apply for Canadian citizenship for her. Is this a difficult process, or is it just an application with the proper documents and a wait time? Is there anything else to be aware of?
Could she register her american car in Canada? What kind of cost would it be, and is it possible on a visitor visa?
The baby would get healthcare as a citizen once her citizenship is granted, but what about my girlfriend? She definitely wouldn't receive it as a visitor, but if she were hired could she get on it through a company?
It wasn't my intention to write a post this long, but I'd rather give you guys more information than a "coming to Canada in 2 days, wat do?" post that I've seen on this forum plenty of times. There is also still quite a long time til she will ever come up to Canada, so I'm trying to do all the planning and preparation for this beforehand.
Responses are greatly appreciated and needed.
Thank you.
