Want to become a permanent resident in Canada but first going to do visits.

[lleahdoll]

HI. Ok, so here's my situation:
I met my boyfriend online and we've been dating for 3 months. I recently decided to take a break from school and I am not working.
I am initially going to visit him in December (for the holidays) but we want to live together eventually and I would like to become a permanent resident so I want to make sure my visit will be a long one.

Here are my questions:
1) Do I need to have some sort of proof I will be coming back to the States after my visit? We weren't planning on buying a plane ticket yet because I was planning on staying until March when my boyfriend and I would come to visit my family for a week and then go back to Canada. Is that going to be a problem? (Especially since he'll be with me.)

2) I am/was a full-time student, as I've said so I am not employed. Is it going to be a problem showing the border officers that I have "ties" in the US? Since I won't be enrolled for spring semester and I have no job. And my place of residence is my dorm right now but won't be after this semester since I'm taking a break. So I don't have proof of address anywhere. Both my parents live in a different states than me so I can't really say I live with them...

3) Also, since I am a full-time student and have been living off loans and grants, I don't have a substantial amount of money in my bank account. Will this be a problem showing them I can support myself while visiting? My boyfriend is actually paying for my plane ticket and hosting me. I will be staying with him at his mom's house so I won't have the need to buy food or pay for a place to stay.

4) Is there any way for me to get Permanent Residency other than getting a work visa (bc I am not a skilled worker) or getting married? I just want to live with my boyfriend. I'd be willing to work but to get a work visa do I first need to secure a job in Canada?
I'd love to study there and continue my schooling in Canada but I read that you have to show that you can pay all your tuition up front. Is that correct? (Plus you have to be accepted to a school before applying for the student visa).

5) Also, should I apply for a tourist visa? Just to make sure I can stay for a long period of time? How long would that take? What is the cost? And can I apply from within Canada?

I know I have a lot of questions. I just want to get some feedback from people who have been through a similar experience. THANKS!!

 

[amikety]

I answered your other thread, so I'll try to avoid answering the same questions twice.

1) Yes, the airline shouldn't allow you on the flight without a return ticket. Buy a refundable return ticket or one with a low fee to swap the return date if you change it. You can buy flights on Priceline.com/.ca now to save costs if you may not use the ticket.

2) No new information

3) No new information

4) You have to show two semesters upfront - loans are okay. To work, you'll need a work permit. In my experience, these are difficult to get, but it depends on your location and skill set. You could consider taking children care courses (6 months or less doesn't require a study permit AND qualifies you to be a live-in caregiver if you're interested). Nannies are one job that will provide LMO in a lot of cases. If you do live-out, there are fewer LMO jobs, but they do exist. You need a LMO to get a work permit. It's basically permission for the employer to hire a foreigner.

5) You don't need a visa. To extend your stay, you can get a Visitor's Record. When you and your bf visit the USA, have him ask for one for you upon return to Canada.

There's a lot of us from the USA here and we're glad to help! Where does your boyfriend live? I would always include his province in your posts, because some provinces have different rules or needs regarding work permits.

 

[lleahdoll]

Unfortunately he lives in Quebec. Which I know had tougher policies.

 

[amikety]

Here is the Quebec immigration page.

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.html

Unfortunately, Quebec has a weak economy compared to other areas of Canada, however you still can look for work. You can search for LMO jobs on www.kijiji.ca. (LMO is required to obtain a work permit.) You can also apply at other jobs. In some areas, fast food hires foreign workers. I wouldn't rely on this plan... just a bit of advice from experience.