US Citizen, works in USA near border wants to live with GF in Canada

[imbowmaster]

I'm a US citizen who works in USA close to the border but I want to live with my girlfriend in Canada. I already cross the boarder about 2 - 3 times per week and so does she, but we would like to simplify things as she has two younger children in school.

Can I live in Canada with her and still work in USA and maintain my USA citizenship? I have a great job in the USA, my own medical benefits and also I need to maintain everything in the USA for my older sons who are in college.

I want to do everything legally and legit because someday, hopefully I would like to marry her and I don't want to jeoprodize any immigration status either way if or when that happens. Can I apply for Temporary Residence in Canada? Does anyone have any advise or has a similar experience?

Thanks,

 

[scylla]

Yes - you can live in Canada and still maintain your citizenship. However in order to live in Canada, you must become a permanent resident first (right now you are only allowed to visit Canada - not live here). Likely the easiest way for you to obtain PR status is for your girlfriend to sponsor you as her partner/spouse. In order to qualify to sponsor you, you must either be married or common law (common law = have lived together for a minimum of one full year).

A temporary resident visa won't work. First of all, a TRV only allowed you to visit Canada - not live here. Secondly, since you are visa exempt, you don't need one to come to Canada. Last but not least, all a TRV does is allow you to enter Canada once as a visitor - it does not allow you to travel regularly back and forth across the border.

What you're doing now (coming in as a visitor) will likely work for some time. However if you continue to cross back and forth 2-3 times per week, there's a very good chance immigration will stop you at some point and say you have to stop (because you're behaving like someone who lives in Canada rather than a visitor). And yes - immigration can certainly deny you entry.

Unfortunately PR status is really the only option that will make it fully legal to live in Canada while working in the US.