US Greencard holder applying for PR - possible?

[nancy301]

Hi everyone. Please excuse the long post. I've been combing through the forum and have been able to get very useful information, and I'm hoping I can get some inputs/opinions on my Canadian PR application. Here is my situation:

I am a Japanese Citizen with a US Greencard, working in the US. My boyfriend is a Canadian citizen and we've been in a common-law partnership for 7 years. He is returning to Canada in a few days because he left is company in the US and hence, his TN work visa can be terminated at any time.

We decided I would move to Canada with him, and my current job offered that they keep me employed full time while I work remotely from Canada, and I travel back to the US every other month for meetings.

We started reviewing the application documents and from the forums I've read so far, it would appear that applying outland would make more sense in my situation. I've read on other posts that keeping the US GC and CND PR is not impossible but difficult. Since I would be living in Canada most of the time but working remotely for a US company (quiet likely paying taxes for both countries, but I'll post that question elsewhere), in my simple mind, it would seem like this might possibly work. Hope I can get some insight from some of you to see if I'm heading in the right direction.

Thanks!!!

 

[margobear96]

Re: US Greencard and PR application

Don't think you asked anything specific, but the following are my general thoughts:

Keeping that US greencard indefinitely is going to be hard, especially crossing the border so often (more opportunities for US immigration to get suspicious/deny you entry). You could apply for a re-entry permit (good for two years and I think renewable once?).

Alternatively, are you eligible to apply for US citizenship yet? You can check this message board to see what processing times are like: http://forums.immigration.com/forumdisplay.php?18-US-Citizenship
Just from a quick glance, NYC is averaging 8 months for citizenship, which is about the same time for PR for a straightforward case through Ottawa (i.e., US applicants).

If you're eligible for US citizenship, but don't want to lose Japanese citizenship, what are your reasons? Research what it takes to get Japanese citizenship back (once lost). For Korea I know it's super easy to get a multi-entry/PR visa (F-4) if you were formerly a citizen, and if you live in Korea again, pretty easy to re-gain citizenship. I assume Japan is similar?

Also, logistically, considering having him move back first then follow. Technically you can't move to Canada without status (e.g., COPR), but you can "visit". This is more credible if the two of you don't show up at the border with ALL of your household possessions in tow.

 

[margobear96]

Oh, another thought. Maybe ask a lawyer whether working remotely in Canada on a regular basis constitutes working "in Canada" for both immigration and tax purposes. Personally, I think CIC is way, way more concerned about people working illegally in Canada than overstaying.

 

[nancy301]

Yes, he's moving back in the next few days and I am aiming to "move" in the summer as a visitor. I will still have my bank accounts in the US and am planning to use my sister's home address also in the US to show I have ties here, and of course my work address. I've only had my GC for 2 years so I'm not eligible to apply for citizenship. Will definitely look into how CIC considers my work situation. Thanks so much!

One question about the frequent commute - would obtaining a NEXUS card avoid questioning at the border?

 

[margobear96]

I don't have NEXUS, but at land borders there's a dedicated NEXUS lane (not open 24 hrs though) and you don't have to talk to a real person to get through. Not sure about how it works at the airports (wasn't paying too much attention). However, I think to get the card you get interviewed.... Depending on timing that could be tricky. Look into it and maybe you could get one BEFORE you move up to Canada?