US citizen wanting to live with Canadian boyfriend?

[KKRSTNA]

Hello everyone!

I come to this thread in hopes of finding detailed, yet simple answers to all my questions regarding my relationship, and possible PR in Canada.

To start; I've known my Canadian boyfriend for two years now. We met online 12/12/10, and have been completely in love ever since. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to spend a lot of time with each other in person for obvious financial reasons. (I'm in California, he's in Ontario) We've been together in person two times. Both times, I flew out to Canada to see him. 04/24/12 for seven days. 12/03/12 for 12 days. I know we haven't spent a lot of time together in person, but that's why I'm here on this forum today to see if we can change this.

My questions are the following:

1.) Could I go visit my boyfriend, and stay my full extent (6 months) and apply for an extension before my 6 months is over, for another 6 months?

2.) If it's possible to stay for 6 months, plus my extension, would we qualify for "common-law"? (I looked up most sponsorships, and this seems to be the only one we might qualify for)

3.) If I can't get an extension, could I leave Canada at the end of my 6 months, and come back a month later for another 6 months? would this still be considered living with each other if I leave for a month? (For a "good" reason)

4.) Would I have to leave Canada at the end of my 12 months? How soon after my 12 months could we apply for the sponsorship? How long is the entire process for the sponsorship? Could I stay in Ontario while our application is being processed? What documents are crucial?

5.) If by a miracle we are granted this sponsorship, how soon could I start working? or even attend school? (I'm 19, recent high school graduate)

6.) Although we haven't spent much time together in person, we have things I.E emails, IM's, conversations from friends regarding us, flight history such as boarding passes, receipts from packages sent to each other, etc... would these things be OK to use to show proof of our genuine relationship? Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures together.

7.) Is it possible for me to have any shared documents with him while I'm there visiting for my 6 months as a U.S citizen to increase our chances of being granted the sponsorship?


We both decided its best that I go to Canada, as I am not established here in the states. Basically, "I'm young" and can make this kind of move without having to worry about any set responsibilities, such as, children, bills, etc...
Our original plan was for me to attend school there but as I read more into study permits, you could be easily denied if you don't show proof that you intend to leave Canada after your studies. Since I don't intend to leave, there would be no way of showing any proof.

If common law isn't the best option, could you recommend anything that would work in our favor?Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me with my questions.

Kindest regards.

 

[Sweden]

Hello everyone!

Hey, and welcome to the forum!

I come to this thread in hopes of finding detailed, yet simple answers to all my questions regarding my relationship, and possible PR in Canada.

To start; I've known my Canadian boyfriend for two years now. We met online 12/12/10, and have been completely in love ever since. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to spend a lot of time with each other in person for obvious financial reasons. (I'm in California, he's in Ontario) We've been together in person two times. Both times, I flew out to Canada to see him. 04/24/12 for seven days. 12/03/12 for 12 days. I know we haven't spent a lot of time together in person, but that's why I'm here on this forum today to see if we can change this.

My questions are the following:

1.) Could I go visit my boyfriend, and stay my full extent (6 months) and apply for an extension before my 6 months is over, for another 6 months? yes, you can always come and visit in for 6 months, and ask for an extension before the time is up. There is never a guarantee that you will be let in at the border, so don't move with a full load of stuff, and make it look like you are only visiting.... if possible, bring proofs of your ties to the US, and do not stay that you are "moving" to Canada - you are visiting your bf, and make it clear that you have no intention to work etc.

2.) If it's possible to stay for 6 months, plus my extension, would we qualify for "common-law"? (I looked up most sponsorships, and this seems to be the only one we might qualify for) yes, you can can qualify for common-law that way, you would just have to keep all the proofs that you are staying together - mails that arrive at this address for you, stamp on your passport, if flying there, plane tickets, etc, in order to prove that you have been living together for 12 months when you apply.

3.) If I can't get an extension, could I leave Canada at the end of my 6 months, and come back a month later for another 6 months? would this still be considered living with each other if I leave for a month? (For a "good" reason) a month might be too much to qualify as common-law. If your extension is denied, then try and leave, and enter sooner - a week maybe. But if you prepare well your extension, it should be fine.

4.) Would I have to leave Canada at the end of my 12 months? How soon after my 12 months could we apply for the sponsorship? How long is the entire process for the sponsorship? Could I stay in Ontario while our application is being processed? What documents are crucial? no - you can ask for another extension... some US citizen on this forum have stayed for more than 12 months. You can apply as soon as you have 12 months together - but don't apply before, make sure that it's 12 full months otherwise your application will be denied. entire process for the sponsorship - that's difficult to say. If you're applying inland, currently it's 6 months for stage 1 and 8 months for stage 2, but you can apply for a work permit after stage 1. if you're applying outland, it's currently 35 days for stage 1, and Ottawa ( referent visa office for US citizen) is 12 months, BUT some people get done faster.

For the difference between outland and inland and the advantages of each, I suggest you read the first post on this forum by Leon, it will give you a good idea. You don't need to read all the pages, but the first one is very informative.

5.) If by a miracle we are granted this sponsorship, how soon could I start working? or even attend school? (I'm 19, recent high school graduate) no miracle there! if you prepare well your application, and you have a genuine relationship, there is no reason to be denied. If you go the outland route, the day you get your PR, you can start working, going to school etc - it's immediate. If you apply inland, you can work after 6 months ( but you can't leave the country - see the post I was mentioning before). Not sure about school for inland, but for outland - once you have the PR, you can go to school, work etc.

6.) Although we haven't spent much time together in person, we have things I.E emails, IM's, conversations from friends regarding us, flight history such as boarding passes, receipts from packages sent to each other, etc... would these things be OK to use to show proof of our genuine relationship? Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures together.it's a good start. Since you will have to live together for 12 months before applying, you can also start collecting things as soon as you stay with your boyfriend, and you can start putting the application together, so you're familiar with what is necessary - by the time you qualify for common-law you will be have all the proofs necessary.

7.) Is it possible for me to have any shared documents with him while I'm there visiting for my 6 months as a U.S citizen to increase our chances of being granted the sponsorship? I'm not too sure what you mean... but I think he can add you to his bank account. In some cases, you might also be added to his rent contract. He would have to enquire himself to see what is possible. You can also get a "visitor record" at the border - and use that as a proof that you are in Canada - search "visitor record" on this form for more explanation of what it is.


We both decided its best that I go to Canada, as I am not established here in the states. Basically, "I'm young" and can make this kind of move without having to worry about any set responsibilities, such as, children, bills, etc...
Our original plan was for me to attend school there but as I read more into study permits, you could be easily denied if you don't show proof that you intend to leave Canada after your studies. Since I don't intend to leave, there would be no way of showing any proof.

If common law isn't the best option, could you recommend anything that would work in our favor?Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me with my questions. well you can get married and apply right away, but if you don't feel comfortable, then it's probably best to go and stay in Canada with him, gather all proofs etc, and then apply in a year. It will be tough to not be able to work, no healthcare etc, so I would still look at the study permit option. Indeed it would be hard to prove, but at least it would give you the possibility to do something while in Canada. but staying in Canada on a tourist visa is also a possibility as long as it works for both you and your boyfriend - plenty of people have done it, and it will show that you are serious about your relationship - and you will be able to prepare your application quite well, hence a faster processing time hopefully!

Good luck,
Sweden


Kindest regards.

 

[KKRSTNA]

Hello! and thank you for the welcome, and also for the detailed, yet simple answers I was looking for. I wasn't too sure if I'd get any response because a few of my questions had been "kinda sorta" answered on other threads, but I wanted my situation more specifically.


+ " yes, you can always come and visit in for 6 months, and ask for an extension before the time is up. There is never a guarantee that you will be let in at the border, so don't move with a full load of stuff, and make it look like you are only visiting.... if possible, bring proofs of your ties to the US, and do not stay that you are "moving" to Canada - you are visiting your bf, and make it clear that you have no intention to work etc. "

- Haha, good call on the loads of stuff. I will most likely be arriving by air. Once I'm passed customs? (person who stamps my passport?) will I be stopped from exiting the airport if I'm seen with two or more luggage bags? (YOW Airport)

- What proof could I use to support my ties to the US?


"3.) If I can't get an extension, could I leave Canada at the end of my 6 months, and come back a month later for another 6 months? would this still be considered living with each other if I leave for a month? (For a "good" reason) a month might be too much to qualify as common-law. If your extension is denied, then try and leave, and enter sooner - a week maybe. But if you prepare well your extension, it should be fine."

- I've been reading on different threads that if I stay in Canada for 6 months, I must stay out for 6 months. If I'm not granted my extension (forbid) would there be any way we could make this work LEGALLY so that my BF doesn't get into any trouble? while we also complete our 12 months together? I also read that U.S citizens aren't usually granted TRV... I don't think I would qualify for any visa because I have no work history, and If I look to study, I would have already needed to be enrolled before I'm granted a study permit. Are any visas in my favor?

"7.) Is it possible for me to have any shared documents with him while I'm there visiting for my 6 months as a U.S citizen to increase our chances of being granted the sponsorship? I'm not too sure what you mean... but I think he can add you to his bank account. In some cases, you might also be added to his rent contract. He would have to enquire himself to see what is possible. You can also get a "visitor record" at the border - and use that as a proof that you are in Canada - search "visitor record" on this form for more explanation of what it is. "



- You answered my question. Apologize for it being a bit vague. What I did mean was could I be added to his rent contract, etc... One question...if he added me to his bank account, would my American bank account suffice? I surely couldn't open a Canadian bank account only as a visitor.



"If common law isn't the best option, could you recommend anything that would work in our favor?Thank you for taking the time to read this and help me with my questions. well you can get married and apply right away, but if you don't feel comfortable, then it's probably best to go and stay in Canada with him, gather all proofs etc, and then apply in a year. It will be tough to not be able to work, no healthcare etc, so I would still look at the study permit option. Indeed it would be hard to prove, but at least it would give you the possibility to do something while in Canada. but staying in Canada on a tourist visa is also a possibility as long as it works for both you and your boyfriend - plenty of people have done it, and it will show that you are serious about your relationship - and you will be able to prepare your application quite well, hence a faster processing time hopefully!"

- I've read that being married to a Canadian citizen doesn't grant you immediate PR, rather more of a difficult route.
Since our plan was for me to be in school there in fall (2013) the plan now is for me to just work and save my ass off so I can have some money going into Canada, I will also have family wiring me money into my bank account monthly...we aren't extravagant people, would you think this will be enough until I'm able to legally work in Canada?


Thank you so much for replying to me. You really have no idea how much you've helped me. The response is greatly appreciated.

Kindest regards

 

[Sweden]

Hey,

I'll answer without copying otherwise it will become too long!

- being let into Canada is never a guarantee.... nobody will be able to tell you how much stuff is acceptable or not. Probably with 2 bags, it should be OK, but you shouldn't push it too much... that being said, some people can get through with more, and not be asked questions, so it's always a bit of a guess... . Proofs to the US: not too sure, it depends on your situation. if you have a family event coming up later and you intend to go back to the US, bring that. I suppose you won't have an apartment anymore, but if you have insurance, or a bank account etc - just proofs that shows that you haven't completely given up everything in the US.

-No - you don't have to stay out for 6 months. I have seen it on other threads, but it's not the case ( that's a european rule, so lots of people get confused). It doesn't apply to Canada. You can enter for 6 months, and ask for an extension. If the extension is denied, you can drive to the border, exit, and re-enter the next day ( or the same day) and ask for 6 months again. No guarantee again that you will be let in, but it has worked in the past for other people. One possible solution is for you bf to go together with you, if possible, and on the way back ask for a "visitor record", it can be up to one year (essentially the same as a tourist visa, but can be for longer than the 6 months you can get at the border with a stamp on your passport). You have to ask for it, and be up-front when asked why you want to stay in Canada : you are preparing the PR application (if possible, already have some forms with you completed, and have your bf with you to corroborate the story - but check on visitor record on this website for a complete story).

If you are denied - of course, don't try to re-enter or overstay your visa, as it will backfire at some point. if you're told to leave, then leave. and come back a little later.

-About bank account - it's worth shopping around a little and asking banks. I could open a bank account with only a tourist visa ( I'm from a visa exempt country) before my PR came through, and other people have reported the same... but he should be able to add you to the rent contract, and to his bank account. One thing you could also get is a life insurance naming the other person as beneficiary and add that as a proof in your application.

- being married to a Canadian doesn't indeed give you a PR immediately, but it's not a more difficult route. To be able to sponsor somebody you need to qualify in one of the 3 categories : conjugal (doesn't apply to you), common-law (you don't qualify yet), or married. Married and common-law are similar processes, the main difference is that if you're married, you don't need to wait 12 months to apply, as you don't have to be living together for 12 months.

So technically, you could get married now, and apply as soon as you have your marriage licence. The PR application forms etc are the same ( in one of the forms, you choose if you apply common-law and then answer a list of questions, or apply as married and answer another set of questions). and you would still need to prove that your relationship is genuine. if you feel that you don't have enough proofs as it is for now, you could go to Canada and stay with your bf, get married in a few months, gather all the proofs and apply - in that case you would not have to wait for another 12 months before applying. you also don't have to stay for 12 months in Canada... so you could stay for a bit, get married, stay more, then go back to the US and work there. and come back to Canada to be with your bf/husband for a few months etc - until the PR is granted.... if you apply outland, you're free to come back and forth - as long as Canada allows you in.

- about how much money - I can't really answer that. Quite a few people make it on one salary while the other wait for the PR to arrive. It's usually tough, and boring, and cause quite a few arguments ( look for a thread called "a strain on your relationship" it will give you an idea), but it's feasible.

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[infamaria101]

Try to check the URL below I am sure that this will help your question.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/learn-about-canada/laws/family-law.html

 

[scylla]

Try to check the URL below I am sure that this will help your question.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/learn-about-canada/laws/family-law.html

You're responding to a post that is almost a decade old. Not helpful.

 

[armoured]

You're responding to a post that is almost a decade old. Not helpful.

History-building for a spam account most likely.

 

[scylla]

History-building for a spam account most likely.

100%

 

[infamaria101]

Waahahaha Sorry For that!

 

[infamaria101]

I dint notice the date posted.