What can we do?

[AlterdImage1]

So here is the situation:

My girlfriend lives in canada, I live in the US. We want to be together and live in canada. She has a great job and place to live (which is where I will be living).

We have already gone through so much to get to the point we are at. I had outstanding child support which took me a long time to pay off to get my passport which I now have. The plan is for me to go there and then get a work visa, work for a year (extending it of course) and become common law in the process. The job I want to have already stated to me that they wouldnt help me with the visa unless I was already there so I couldnt get hired before moving to canada. When I am there they said yes I can get the job and they will help me.

SO, what do I need to do in order to get into canada? I have my passport and a plane ticket. Everything is all settled here in the US as far as my job and place of residence (basically no more ties left).

I am three days out from my flight....what do I do or what CAN I do?

(she has the means to support us both while I am getting the job and such btw)

 

[PMM]

Hi

So here is the situation:

My girlfriend lives in canada, I live in the US. We want to be together and live in canada. She has a great job and place to live (which is where I will be living).

We have already gone through so much to get to the point we are at. I had outstanding child support which took me a long time to pay off to get my passport which I now have. The plan is for me to go there and then get a work visa, work for a year (extending it of course) and become common law in the process. The job I want to have already stated to me that they wouldnt help me with the visa unless I was already there so I couldnt get hired before moving to canada. When I am there they said yes I can get the job and they will help me.

SO, what do I need to do in order to get into canada? I have my passport and a plane ticket. Everything is all settled here in the US as far as my job and place of residence (basically no more ties left).

I am three days out from my flight....what do I do or what CAN I do?

(she has the means to support us both while I am getting the job and such btw)

1. You should know that you can't just show up at the border, ask for a work permit and expect to be admitted?
2. Your employer has to apply for a Labour Market Opinion after advertising the position on the Job Bank for 2 weeks, and then has to prove to HRSDC that there are no Canadians/PRs available for the work, the salary is equivalent in the local area, and your skills are necessary. This can take anywhere from 6-16 weeks. Only then could you go to the border and apply for a work permit.
3. You may be admitted as a visitor for a limited period of time, this is iffy with no job, no residence in the US, I wouldn't hold my breath that you will be admitted to Canada for any length of time.

 

[AlterdImage1]

Well what I want to do is have that visitor status for 6 months and in that time get my employment. I mean I do have a US passport so I can at least get into the country as a visitor with that correct?

 

[AlterdImage1]

we are so stressed and to our wits end, so much stuff has been overcome and we will do whatever we have to to be together. I just need to know what I can do

 

[scylla]

Well what I want to do is have that visitor status for 6 months and in that time get my employment. I mean I do have a US passport so I can at least get into the country as a visitor with that correct?

You SHOULD be allowed into Canada but there's certainly no guarantee (visiting is a privilege, not a right - and Americans are sometimes refused entry). To increase your chances of a successful entry, you should be able to show (if asked) that you have strong ties to the US to prove that you won't overstay your visit in Canada. Strong ties are things such as evidence of property owned, a job, a business you run, a rental property, other investments / assets, etc. You should also be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay for your trip to Canada. Hopefully you have purchased a return ticket rather than one way. That's good evidence as well. Pack like a visitor (i.e. don't bring things with you that scream "I'm moving to Canada" - you're not allowed to move to Canada). Last but not least, when you enter Canada and speak with immigration, talk like a visitor - not someone who intends to be a resident.

In the end, there's never any guarantee what will happen since this decision is up to the immigration officer you're going to encounter when you enter Canada. But there's certainly things you can do to try to have a smooth entry.

 

[Pippin]

Good to hear you met your obligations and I hope things in the future will go well. It is unfortunate that you gave up your home and job before coming to Canada as you need those things to prove you have strong ties to the US.

 

[AlterdImage1]

well i will have at least 350 USD with me, i do technically still have a residence in the US (roommate said either way its still home for me) all my bills and such still come here in my name. just want to make sure i will be able to at least get visitor status and see where things go from there. i wont be paying for housing or expenses those are all being taken care of. does any of that help me? plus im just bringing a carry on bag with clothes and toiletries

 

[amikety]

well i will have at least 350 USD with me, i do technically still have a residence in the US (roommate said either way its still home for me) all my bills and such still come here in my name. just want to make sure i will be able to at least get visitor status and see where things go from there. i wont be paying for housing or expenses those are all being taken care of. does any of that help me? plus im just bringing a carry on bag with clothes and toiletries

$350 isn't enough to visit on for even one month, let alone 6. You may have to explain you're being hosted by your girlfriend. I even had to provide the address of the family members I was staying with.

There's no way for you to guarantee entrance into Canada as visitor. You can do your best and hope it works out.

Also, unless you have an in-demand skill in your province, don't expect to find a job. It's very difficult, especially if you're unskilled. You can expect a lot of frustration and dead ends.... Maybe you'll get lucky - that's just my experience.

 

[AlterdImage1]

the 350 is really to cover the return ticket, to let them know that yes i can buy it but im unsure as to how long i would be able to stay. i have no plans to overstay the time alotted to me, if i have to go i hve to go. just want to at least have the visitor status ya know? i plan to let them know that its pretty much a trial run to see how i like canada and such (which it is since i will leave once my time is up if there is no way to stay at that point. i will just leave and immigrate occording to their regulations.) its just getting in that worries me, want to be sure i do all that i can to ensure i am admitted. as best i can anyway

 

[Pippin]

If they are looking for ties to the US they will be looking for things you would not want to walk away from like property, close family members (spouse/children). A bank balance of $350 is not going to last you any time at all. Saying that all your expenses are being paid for by someone else actually increases your ties to Canada. Part of strong ties means being well established in your home country and that includes a healthy bank balance as proof of employment. Asking if your friend offering you a room and an address to which your mail can come will not do much to establish your ties unless your name is on the lease and you are responsible for paying the expenses. Sorry I can't be more hopeful.

 

[AlterdImage1]

my name is on the lease still, that has yet to change. so it is an established residence. my son lives here in america however i do not have custody

 

[scylla]

$350 isn't enough to visit on for even one month, let alone 6.

Agreed. You should be able to show several $K for a six month visit. The fact you're staying with someone may or may not work in your favour.

As amikety said, there's nothing you can do to guarantee you will be allowed into Canada. The best thing you can do is carry evidence with you that shows your ties to the US.

Good luck - hope it works out.

 

[amikety]

the 350 is really to cover the return ticket, to let them know that yes i can buy it but im unsure as to how long i would be able to stay. i have no plans to overstay the time alotted to me, if i have to go i hve to go. just want to at least have the visitor status ya know? i plan to let them know that its pretty much a trial run to see how i like canada and such (which it is since i will leave once my time is up if there is no way to stay at that point. i will just leave and immigrate occording to their regulations.) its just getting in that worries me, want to be sure i do all that i can to ensure i am admitted. as best i can anyway

FYI, United wouldn't let me on the flight until I proved I had a return flight already booked. You're supposed to have the return ticket ahead of time.

 

[AlterdImage1]

so basically im going to end up at the us/canada border just stranded for eternity, awesome

 

[scylla]

so basically im going to end up at the us/canada border just stranded for eternity, awesome

No - you don't end up stranded if you're refused entry. They put you on a flight back to the US.

But that's the worst case scenario. Hopefully you won't face this.

However I completely agree with amikety when it comes to the two way ticket. The airline might not let you board with a one way ticket and a one way ticket is also a red flag to immigration (it screams "I'm coming for longer than a visit"). Buy a return ticket or another one way flight before you leave.