Want to become a permanent resident in Canada but first have to visit

[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) Was researching common-law visas. I was wondering how in the world you can prove you live together for 12 months+ if I am just a visitor? I know you can show joint accounts, paid bills together, etc but can I do any of that if I am just visiting Canada on my passport?

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]

1) Yes, you will need proof. If you don't have a return ticket, it will look bad. Americans are rarely denied entry into Canada (minus obvious cases like convicted felons) however, not being prepared will hurt you. You can book the return ticket as refundable and return it if applicable. Your trip to visit family and back to Canada will be less of an issue if your bf is with you, however you will still need to satisfy the VO you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.

2) No one's permanent residence is a dorm. It's probably a parent's home. Where do you have a driver's license, pay state taxes? Where are you getting mail when school isn't in session? You should have some proof of where you live permanently.

3) Have your boyfriend and/or his mom write a letter of invitation showing they plan to support you. They may need to provide proof of income. I have to submit paystubs from my husband's job in my case.

4) You can transfer your studies or take graduate classes in Canada to apply for a post-graduate work permit, then after 1-2 years (the rules are changing) apply for PR in the CEC class. If you do studies in Canada, you can live common-law with your bf and apply as common-law after 1 full year living together. As an American, you can also remain in Canada (as long as you're admissible in general, i. e. no felonies) for a year to qualify as common-law - if that's okay with your bf and his mom. You won't be able to work or study unless you persue a work or study permit separately. There are other methods to get a PR as well, such as investor class - but with you being a student, I doubt you have a few million dollars on hand

5) Your passport gives you six months. At five months, apple for a Visitor's record (or have your bf - not you - ask for one when you come back into Canada with him). They can be good for a year.... others have said their VR was longer. I'm on my third VR. First was 6 months. Second was 1 year. Third is hopefully in the mail!

As far as proof - have your Canadian cell phone joint account with your bf, sign a co-habitation agreement, sign a roommate lease joint with him with his mom was the leasor, joint bank account.... all of these are fine as a visitor. To be blunt, we're American. We can do these things and it's okay. As long as you have valid visitor status and you follow the rules and laws of Canada, the province, and immigration, you're fine. You can even open a bank account alone!

 

[lleahdoll]

1) Ok, so get a return ticket and make it refundable so I can change it later. (Well, we are going to be visiting back here in March. Is that too long of a return date? Will that make them suspicious?)
And it'll be LESS suspicious if my boyfriend returns with me to Canada after our trip to visit my family in the US?
And again, I will have to get a return plane ticket. Is it okay to get one six months down the line? Are they going to hassle me for wanting to visit and stay with my boyfriend for 6 months? (Since that's sorta like living there...)

2) Well, I am on my mom's taxes for financial aid reasons but we live in different states so I don't consider her house my permanent residence. I usually get mail at my aunt and uncle's house. My driver's license still has my ex's address on it since when I got it renewed I was still living at his place. I do not pay taxes since I have no job.

3) Even if I'm just visiting on my passport alone, I should still get the letters of invitation?

4) The problem I run into with studying in Canada is I've read you need the tuition up front to prove you can pay for it. Since I go to school here on loans and grants, I do not actually have physical money to pay for school.

5) What exactly is a visitor record? Does that show proof of how long you've been in Canada? Meaning it would be good proof for a common-law visa?

How do I do a co-habitation agreement? That sounds like a good way to prove we've lived together.
And as a visitor (solely on my passport), I can get a joint bank account with him?
Does valid visitor status count if I'm just visiting on my passport for six months (instead of with a visitor visa)?

 

[amikety]

1) Being American, you'll get the benefit of the doubt. You only need to worry if you decide to lie or get an agent having a bad day. You're allowed to stay up to 6 months as a visitor. It may be a good idea to have a plan "B" just in case your bf turns out to be a jerk in person. (Happened to a friend of mine.)

No matter how much it feels like 'living here' you are 100% a visitor. Yes, immigration will view it as living together for proof of relationship, but legally you are a visitor.

Visiting the US with your boyfriend shouldn't be a problem. (As long as he's admissible i. e. no felonies, no previous overstays) At the USA border, you do the talking. At the Canadian border, he does the talking. Make sure he requests a Visitor's record for you. Depending on how your relationship is working out, he could ask for a full year so you can qualify for common-law PR.

Generally, Americans don't have problems. It's good to take the border crossing seriously (It's always good to respect the laws in my opinion.) We as Americans come from a country that's nearby and has comparable human rights and economic status. There isn't a huge incentive for us to overstay illegally in Canada. Plus, in many border towns American-Canadian couples are normal, people having family on both sides of the border is normal, etc. Frankly, Immigration is very used to the situation you're describing.

2) If you're on your mom's taxes, then you're probably considered a legal resident of her state. If you're her dependant, you're techincally filing with her.

3) You don't technically need it, but since your stay is so long I think it would help. If you have considerable savings, you can show that as proof instead, but most of us don't have that hanging around If you tell the BSO you're planning to stay until March/May on a passport, they will ask how you plan to support yourself. They will also ask where you're staying and may want the address.

4) Loans count as far as I know. I don't know a whole lot about study permits to be honest. If you persue this route, you may want to post questions in the studying section of the forum or contact the international advisor at a university near your boyfriend's home.

5) A Visitor's Record is the visa exempt visa basically. It allows you to remain in Canada past the 6 months on your passport. It won't necessarily provide proof for common-law, although it will prove you have maintained legal status in Canada.

A co-habitation agreement is usually informal. You can sign it with witnesses, then get it notarized if you wish. To provide better advice here, knowing your intended province will help

You can get a bank account as a visitor. I *think* you can with passport alone as a co-signer, but as a sole account, you would need official immigration documentation, such as a VR.

The stamp on your passport is your official visitor status. Unless the BSO writes a date on the stamp, it's automatically good for 6 months.

 

[amikety]

Here's a sample of a co-habitation agreement. I wouldn't pay for one, as you can write it yourself as long as you follow and copy the "free" form provided her. (I wrote a legal separation agreement accepted by court in a divorce.... so this is my basis for saving that!)

http://www.ilrg.com/forms/cohab-agreement.html

 

[lleahdoll]

1) We have already met in person. He visited me for 6 days in mid-October for my birthday/school fall break. So I already know he's not a jerk.

So how will visiting the US for a week affect the 6 months of "living" together?

So for the Visitor's Record, he can ask specifically for a certain length of time? And they will understand that I want to visit and "live" with him for say a year so I CAN apply for the Common-law visa? Or should we not tell them that those are our intentions?

2) Right, well my driver's license is not from her state nor do I have any mail at her place.
I am still worried with showing I have "ties" to come back to the US. Since I've been living in my dorm for school, I don't have another home to go to or show that I have been living at. Does that make sense?

3) Ok, so since I am staying so long, I should have my boyfriend and his mom write the invitation letters plus get their address and phone number maybe so if they have questions about how I'll be financially supported while visiting, they can contact them? Does that sound like a good plan?

4) thanks

5) So would it be added to the 6 months on my passport even if we leave in March to visit my family for a week?
Yeah, so with that plus the cohabitation agreement we can prove we've been at least residing together for a year if we can get it extended that long.

The intended province is Quebec. Which I know is the most strict with visitors/immigration/etc

SO as a visitor I can just be signed up to be on his bank account? And that begs the question if I could do the same to put him on mine. Or would that just cause difficulties since my bank account is a US one?

Don't they not always stamp your passport though? I came to Canada a year 1/2 ago to visit friends and did not get a stamp.
So if they won't stamp it (meaning I can stay up to 6 months), how will they know how long I've been there?

Btw I appreciate your help so much! I have been reading sooooo much. But talking to an actual person who has EXPERIENCE in this, is so helpful!

 

[amikety]

You're welcome

1) I sincerely hope everyone works out for you as planned...at the very least, make sure your mom has his address and knows where you're at. Sometimes people change once things are 'settled.' This is nothing more than general advice, nothing aimed at you or your bf. My friend had met his gf before he went to Canada as well... living together for a year is a lot harder than a 6 day visit

2) You won't need your driver's license for ID anytime during the flight. Even to get past security, you'll need to show your passport because it's an international flight.

Where would you live if you were taking a break from school and NOT going to Canada? What address is on your passport?

Showing ties isn't as important for Americans. (I didn't know about it when I visited the first time, although I was employed.) You have family in the USA, which is a tie. You can also show documents showing you're enrolled in school, although if the BSO asks when you plan to resume, you must answer honestly.

I've never been asked about my ties, only what I'm doing in Canada. My experience may not be typical, but it could be too.

3) BSO generally won't call (based on what I've read here). Hopefully your bf and/or his mother will meet you at the airport, so if things go horribly awry, you can tell the BSO your bf is here and will vouch for you. I would only offer a letter if they press you on how you plan to support yourself. Make sure you have the address available.

5) Leaving Canada techincally invalidates a VR. Techincally. If you arrive in December and visit the US in March, I wouldn't worry about getting a VR until your return trip to Canada.

Unless there's a horrible secret you aren't sharing (or don't know about wooooooo~) the VR extensions shouldn't be an issue. Although, you may want to review income requirements for support. Your bf or his mom can meet the requirements. Bf would need 2 people, mom would need 3. This is techinally for other relative sponsorship (parent, child), but I think a BSO would want to ensure their income was reasonable for a six month stay. You should be able to combine their incomes if one is below the line. This is my suggestion..... I have not seen this as a requirement. But if your bf's income alone is below the requirement for 2 people (you and him) I would definitely include mom's support.

http://www.canadavisa.com/immigration-financial-ability.html

My husband added me to a bank account (before we were married even) on passport alone, but when I wanted to open my own account, I needed a VR. I also live in Alberta, so the rules may be different in Quebec. You could always contact a few banks and ask to clarify. (Sorry, I'm not 100% and even less so for a different province.) This is a sample for Quebec City, just to give you some contacts. (You can call Canada free with Google Gmail.)

http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/commercial/business-bank-centre/quebec-qcity.html

I've always gotten a stamp and I can't see them not stamping for a 4 month visit.... but if they don't, I personally would apply for a VR immediately to prevent any confusion later with immigration. You could also ask for a VR valid until the visit in March if you're feeling brave.

 

[lleahdoll]

1) Thank you so much Yes, I will give his address/phone number to my family members and I will probably be skyping with them all at least once a week to keep in contact and stuff.

2) Ah, I guess I am use to flights within the US where they ask for ID and you can use your driver's license. That's good then! Phew!
Probably at my aunt and uncle's house. I have not written an address in my passport yet.
As my uncle and aunt are not my blood relatives, I was thinking of putting my brother's address for everything permanent.

Yes, I suppose I can always say I am resuming in the fall of 2013. I will still have records for my school, just not enrolled for Spring 2013.

3) Yes, my boyfriend is meeting me at the airport. I will definitely have all their contact information ready on hand to hand to a BSO in case they ask for proof.

Right right... so should I wait to show the income requirements until we return to Canada in March (when we get the Visitor's Record).

Ah ok, so I will make sure to ask my boyfriend what bank he has and seem if I am eligible to be added (even if we're not married).
thank you for the link!!

So what's the big deal with asking for a VR by myself at the initial visit in December?

 

[amikety]

This is my opinion, but I think it's best to let your boyfriend ask for one in March. The passport stamp works just fine.

You could ask the agent if you need one and see what he/she says.

But unless your boyfriend's bank requires a VR, the passport stamp is all you need. To be honest, for 80% of my idea in Canada, I use my driver's license. It's in English, easily readable, and gives people a giggle.

This thread may have some helpful information for you. I'm pretty sure we've discussed visiting in the US Outland thread numerous times. The fact you aren't applying for PR yet isn't relevent. There's lots of nice, helpful Americans in this thread. Feel free to ask them too, but if they say any of my ideas are horrible, don't tell them you got it from me.... hehehe. Make sure to mention you're visiting Quebec. Some of the senior members that post in this thread regularly make me look like chopped liver.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.0.html

You can also type "American visiting Canada" in the search field and it'll give you a variety of posts, many in the same thread I posted.

 

[lleahdoll]

thank you soooo much for all your help! I greatly appreciate it!

I will be discussing all of this with my boyfriend tonight to see what information his mom got (apparently she is knowledgeable about getting people into Canada).
I Will definitely check out that thread! thank you!