US Citizen move to Canada?

Question

Hello!

I have read the Canadian government website, and this answer: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070224210835AA39w4M

However,m has anyone recently been in this situation and moved to Canada? Or in the process?

I am a Canadian citizen, and have a girlfriend that is not, but is a US citizen. We would like to move in together soon, and want to find the best way.

I have thought about working towards common law status here, with a work permit, but how easy is that? TO be here steady for a year?

anyways, if you understand what I'm after, thanks for the help!!

Answer 1

i came to Canada to be with my fiance and he applied to sponsor me while i was here and i didn't have to leave,you dont have to be married as Canada recognizes common law relationships

i just applied to extend my stay until permanent residency was granted

all the forms are on the immigration canada website or by phoning the call centre in canada

Answer 2

I understand what you are going through.  I am an American and I found myself a wonderful Canadian man.  What now???  Well, we got married and started the process of applying for permanent residence for me with him as my sponsor.  We started the application in November 2003 and I (finally!!!!) entered Canada as a permanent resident last September.  

If you want your gf to move in with you up here you can get her into Canada with a visitor visa (temporary residence) and she can stay here with you 180 days at a time.  The visa will expire and she can either renew it by mail or just go back to the States and re-enter Canada when she is ready.  There are drawbacks to the visitor status because she cannot work or study here with this visa.  Honestly, all she is entitled to is just to be in Canada.  I don't know if this will work for you.

Personally, I couldn't do this because I had to keep my job so that is why I applied from outside of Canada.  I could still visit my husband in Canada but I couldn't stay without working.

If your gf is a skilled worker than she could apply for a work visa.  This is not really easy to do because she must be offered employment in Canada prior to receiving the visa.

Right now you can't apply for permanent residence with her unless you go the conjugal partner route.  If you do this you must explain why you have not been able to live together and you must prove the validity of your relationship.  You cannot do common law unless you have been living together at least one year already.

If you were to get married she could apply for permanent residence immediately and she could stay in Canada and ask for a work visa.

I don't know if I got all your questions.....If you want to email me for more specific info feel free.  [e-mail]

I know it is a brutal process and sometimes you have to wait patiently and separately from the one you love.