US Citizen wanting to immigrate to Canada

[enguyen807]

I've been with my girlfriend for around 7 years now and I plan on marrying her in my next visit. I want to try the 1 year process where I stay with her for a year but I don't fit the type of work for an open work permit. My job (Jr. Web Dev) isn't on the list and I've been told my B.S.I.S. doesn't really matter much. I might try the outland process where I apply outside of Canada and continue work in America to pay off some student loans.

So I want to do inland but I'm not unsure how I would find work to pay off my loans.
I'm 24 so I'm still a bit naive so I would appreciate some advice.

 

[jordo]

Are either of you Canadian citizens or permanent residents?
In those 7 years, have you at any time ever cohabitated for 12 continuous months except for any very brief times apart?

 

[enguyen807]

She is a Canadian citizen and probably not on the 12 continuous months. I travel back to the U.S. after summer to continue my degree I've now graduated 6 months ago

 

[scylla]

She is a Canadian citizen and probably not on the 12 continuous months. I travel back to the U.S. after summer to continue my degree I've now graduated 6 months ago

You need to either get married or live together for a full year continuously to become common law. Only then will she be able to sponsor you for PR.

 

[enguyen807]

So after marriage I would apply for outland and she would apply for a spouse sponsorship?

 

[Rob_TO]

So after marriage I would apply for outland and she would apply for a spouse sponsorship?

If you are married and are in Canada as a visitor, then you can apply for PR INLAND and also apply for an Open Work Permit at the same time. The OWP will be delivered around 3-4 months later. The OWP is based solely on submitting the inland PR app, it has nothing to do with your skill level or occupation.

Or if you are a recent graduate in teh US, you could look at getting a SWAP working holiday visa for 1-year open work permit.

 

[enguyen807]

oo a SWAP working holiday. I'll read up on it and what kind of jobs can you get with an owp?