US Citizen with Canadian PR boyfriend- Needs advice!

[Cheryllove]

I also believe that they would mail things to her American address? Like the PR card and whatnot?

They will mail things like COPR but not the PR card once PR is granted. I am American and landed on Sept 4. My PR card will have to be mailed to a Canadian address and it takes about 90 days!

 

[np08]

Oh yeah, of course the PR card would go to the Canadian address since that's post landing. My bad, got mixed up!

 

[I&D2018]

Quick background...me and my wife dated for 1.5 years but during that time we were apart a 3hr drive in California. So it was somewhat long distance pretty much whole time (see each other weekends or every other, trips, friend weddings). We got engaged and basically a week after my company shipped me back to Canada so I was flying in for 2 months regularly. We got married on paper 30days after engaged, she came to visit me in Canada for 2 weeks. I negotiated to work in the usa before leaving my job. Shortly after we applied for for the usa process and I highly regret now...not applying for her process right away since things looked better usa wise then and we aimmed 1 at a time. Fast track 7months later, usa process which was brutal is done and now her process is started as we plan to move back to Canada in 10 days here. Whole time since we got engaged we had one goal, sleep in the same bed every night. Job stuff/family/big-wedding-plans etc all have had to go on the back burner or changed to acheive that goal. My stuff has been in storage for months cause I have had to adapt with 3 suitcases.

My advice to you, do not worry about scrunity or any of that stuff. As a US/CAD couple you can easily get all the documents to prove it all. I have done it 2 times now. The main thing is you need to know when you are prepared to leave your current life to take a full chance on him and then understand how important it is to organize all this information, seems you have some documents/proof in mind already. I would suggest whoever is visiting who next to open a joint bank account (joint cad if you go there, joint usa if he comes). Beyond that its when you are ready to leave and just put your stuff with family or storage and go so you both can sleep in the same bed every night. If after 2-3 months (visa waiver as tourist visiting) everything seems fine, just get married on paper and gather everything and start your process outland. Then you can fly back to the USA and finish up things you need to live in Canada longterm. I highly also recommend if you two can afford to apply for his i130 post marriage right away...you never know and life changes maybe he can find a better job in the usa in one year. But I would not wait to get immigration BS started or dealt with, in my opinon once your married and think in your heart can prove bonafide marrriage why wait, both countries currently every year making the process harder.

When you visit him, you probably want to start getting random mail at his address right away, and try to build cohabitation proof right away. One way to do that is if he is renting to get him to start paying the rent out of your joint account, as soon as that account is created. Mortgage same thing.

 

[LAUS2018]

The advice given regarding your best route is pretty much spot on. In the end, it's whatever it is that works best for meeting you and your partner's wishes and needs. After assessing those requirements, you can build your "case" from there.

As far as getting through CBSA, of course don't assume you'll be allowed into the country, but also don't worry too much about it even if you aren't working anymore. They might not even ask. Having crossed many times as a US citizen -- both via air and land -- pretty much all of my experiences crossing have been uneventful. One time when my spouse and I were crossing by car, we were both given the runaround, but that was because we got the wrong officer (our line was very slow, and it was because the officer was hassling pretty much everyone... all other lines were going much quicker). Despite the runaround, we didn't even have to go to second inspection. The first time I came to visit my wife (then girlfriend), the officer at the airport asked what I did for a living and for proof of a return flight (which I had). I didn't have my itinerary printed out, so I had to fumble through my phone and email. The officer took my phone and clearly started thumbing through my email, which proved I had a return flight and was a grad student (school messages galore). Then she let me through and resumed berating Asian tourists. Those were my worst experiences with CBSA. For Americans they usually ask very basic questions and don't bother for proof. Hell, there were two times where I was basically waived through without a word once they saw my US passport. So, basically, it all depends on the CBSA person you get, but know that as a US citizen, you're probably not going to get the runaround. Answer their questions succinctly and try to not give them anything to latch on to and question.

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm honestly so happy to hear of others who have experienced a similar situation. I will be booking flights often so I should always have a trip lined up to exit the country. Whether it is a wedding in Australia, or a trip to the States to be with my family and niece. I will have no problem booking my long visits to Canada with a return flight and likely won't stay for longer than 2 months at any given time. However, I'm sure we will cross the border to Washington as my really close friend, her husband and mother live there. Which provides me with a convenient home base.

 

[LAUS2018]

Quick background...me and my wife dated for 1.5 years but during that time we were apart a 3hr drive in California. So it was somewhat long distance pretty much whole time (see each other weekends or every other, trips, friend weddings). We got engaged and basically a week after my company shipped me back to Canada so I was flying in for 2 months regularly. We got married on paper 30days after engaged, she came to visit me in Canada for 2 weeks. I negotiated to work in the usa before leaving my job. Shortly after we applied for for the usa process and I highly regret now...not applying for her process right away since things looked better usa wise then and we aimmed 1 at a time. Fast track 7months later, usa process which was brutal is done and now her process is started as we plan to move back to Canada in 10 days here. Whole time since we got engaged we had one goal, sleep in the same bed every night. Job stuff/family/big-wedding-plans etc all have had to go on the back burner or changed to acheive that goal. My stuff has been in storage for months cause I have had to adapt with 3 suitcases.

My advice to you, do not worry about scrunity or any of that stuff. As a US/CAD couple you can easily get all the documents to prove it all. I have done it 2 times now. The main thing is you need to know when you are prepared to leave your current life to take a full chance on him and then understand how important it is to organize all this information, seems you have some documents/proof in mind already. I would suggest whoever is visiting who next to open a joint bank account (joint cad if you go there, joint usa if he comes). Beyond that its when you are ready to leave and just put your stuff with family or storage and go so you both can sleep in the same bed every night. If after 2-3 months (visa waiver as tourist visiting) everything seems fine, just get married on paper and gather everything and start your process outland. Then you can fly back to the USA and finish up things you need to live in Canada longterm. I highly also recommend if you two can afford to apply for his i130 post marriage right away...you never know and life changes maybe he can find a better job in the usa in one year. But I would not wait to get immigration BS started or dealt with, in my opinon once your married and think in your heart can prove bonafide marrriage why wait, both countries currently every year making the process harder.

When you visit him, you probably want to start getting random mail at his address right away, and try to build cohabitation proof right away. One way to do that is if he is renting to get him to start paying the rent out of your joint account, as soon as that account is created. Mortgage same thing.

Thank you so much! I'm happy to hear you've had success!

I will be there with him in Canada this week and we're meeting with a lawyer. I'll be certain to ask advice on what to do in the early process. At first I considered waiting until May, but it makes the most sense to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. I am already aware that I want to take the chance, and rather invest our money on flights to visit we'd like to invest that in our relationship. And be together when we fly to England for Christmas - so I'll have a few months to mentally prepare. He also will be buying property in Vancouver within the next year - if we have a marriage license I'm sure we can add my name to the mortgage. I also like that you brought up the US visa process, because you're absolutely right... when we decide to have children we will want options.

At the end of the day we are patient, diligent and committed to the process however long it may be, but most of all we legitimately just want to be together, making sure all of our "ducks are aligned" so we don't get flagged or refused.

 

[I&D2018]

Thanks so much, great to hear you are mentally at that stage.

Truly I would not worry about paying for lawyer advice too much, maybe a one time consultancy but everything else can be found online on various forums. For VWP countries, lawyers only needed if you have a complicated case (prior DUI issues, minor theft, mis-represenation, etc). Actually sometimes using lawyers they give you advice that out of date or they are super cautious. Your time is much better spent to do research online, look at the "spousal checklist" now and see how you would fill it out.

For Canada all you need to know is they do not like people "visiting for an extened stay", so till you have filed for your PR do book a return ticket and have proof of US ties and just let them know you are visiting, you moment you apply for PR they will not need to ask anymore. The USA will be much harsh on your future husband if two ever fly home to visit your family, he will need a very straightforward iternary and to be prepared for a tired CBP agent to push him a bit.

This is the checklist. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5533E.pdf ... Key parts will be the end for you as you will not be married for 2 years at time of application so you can see need more proof.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you so much! I'm happy to hear you've had success!

I will be there with him in Canada this week and we're meeting with a lawyer. I'll be certain to ask advice on what to do in the early process. At first I considered waiting until May, but it makes the most sense to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. I am already aware that I want to take the chance, and rather invest our money on flights to visit we'd like to invest that in our relationship. And be together when we fly to England for Christmas - so I'll have a few months to mentally prepare. He also will be buying property in Vancouver within the next year - if we have a marriage license I'm sure we can add my name to the mortgage. I also like that you brought up the US visa process, because you're absolutely right... when we decide to have children we will want options.

At the end of the day we are patient, diligent and committed to the process however long it may be, but most of all we legitimately just want to be together, making sure all of our "ducks are aligned" so we don't get flagged or refused.

Skip the lawyer. You have a very straightforward case and it would be a waste of money.

As an American citizen, you are not a Marriage of Convenience risk, so even if you married now, it would not be seen as a red flag or lead to an interview.

Watch the frequent entries. If you are coming and going often, your chances of eventually being refused entry increase because CBSA does not like people who try to live in Canada as a visitor.