Marrying a Canadian to stay? ?

Question

I used to live in the UK, but I was born in the USA (I'm also a dual citizen with both the UK and USA). But I met my boyfriend over the internet and I moved in with him. I have been living happily with him for 2 months now in Canada. I know I am granted 6 months total as a visitor. But I want to stay here. We don't exactly want to get married THAT fast. I'm kind of looking for loopholes or something so we don't have to get married. But it's starting to look like the only option.

I've already filled out a form to extend my stay here, but I haven't sent it off yet. I've looked at the Canadian Immigration website over and over and I still dont know what Visa to choose from. I have not finished schooling due to problems in the USA, and I dont have much expierence in the working area. Could someone point me in the right direction here?

Answer 1

If you just want to stay in Canada and not work or go to school, you just need to leave the country at the end of your visa.  Since most Canadian cities are near the border, it is easier to take a weekend trip to the US than it is to apply for the extension.

Working and going to school is another issue.  Please don't marry a Canadian just to stay in the country.  It doesn't work the way they protray it in movies and on TV -- it's a long process.

Answer 2

Oh, good luck.  I married an immigrant from UK who was/is working in Canada.  I was going to sponsor him as a spouse, what a long and confusing process.  A tonne of paperwork to fill out, and trying to prove that our relationship is genuine and continuing (which it is), and we were pre-warned that we will be "watched" for 3 years (unexpected pop-ins) so they can monitor if our marriage is legit or a marriage of convenience.

Common-law sponsorship is something that will be available to you in 10 months (need to be living together for 12 months).  It is the same process as married sponsorship.

Spousal sponsorship, to be approved, needs to go through 3 "check points".  The first one will take anywhere from 5 to 10 months (or more).  And then there are 2 more!!!

Your best bet would be to try and get a work permit, get a job which will hopefully sponsor you for your landed (permanent residency).  

Also, with spousal sponsorship (either married or common-law), your spouse needs to guarantee you a number of things for 10 years (I believe - could be wrong about the length though).  If you two have only been living together for 2 months and are not ready to get married yet, I'm sure your Canadian partner will not want to guarantee you 10 years of support!!!

Good luck though...

Answer 3

Do you know french? if you do !!! is cool , if not, married a dominican!!!