Female US citizen wanting to move to Canada

[russ6970]

You could try going down the student visa route to advance your education. Only thing is you have to prove you have the funds (or get your spouse to write a letter stating she has the funds). I am from the UK and I went down that route, even though we were only 'friends' at that point.

 

[Amg5192]

You could try going down the student visa route to advance your education. Only thing is you have to prove you have the funds (or get your spouse to write a letter stating she has the funds). I am from the UK and I went down that route, even though we were only 'friends' at that point.

I was looking into that route but honestly I do not have the funds to afford that.

 

[Amg5192]

It's just a certificate (rather than a multi-year diploma / degree) - so it will unfortunately have little or not impact.

is it possible to just go visit and then do my application there and just look for work when my application is in?

 

[scylla]

is it possible to just go visit and then do my application there and just look for work when my application is in?

Sure - you can look for a job. However be aware that the chances of finding an employer willing to go through the LMIA process are effectively nil.

Also - make sure it doesn't look like you're moving here when you arrive at the border. That can cause big problems.

 

[Amg5192]

Sure - you can look for a job. However be aware that the chances of finding an employer willing to go through the LMIA process are effectively nil.

Also - make sure it doesn't look like you're moving here when you arrive at the border. That can cause big problems.

I know that I only plan to bring a small suitcase with a week or two worth's of cloths. are there certain companies or employers that have a higher rate of hiring someone and doing the application for the work visa?

 

[scylla]

I know that I only plan to bring a small suitcase with a week or two worth's of cloths. are there certain companies or employers that have a higher rate of hiring someone and doing the application for the work visa?

That sounds like a good packing plan.

No - unfortunately there is no such list of companies or employers.

 

[Amg5192]

That sounds like a good packing plan.

No - unfortunately there is no such list of companies or employers.

I feel like the best way to go about this would be pack for the short time go for the six months and if anything apply for the extension and see if we can go about the common-law path we can both work while I am still living in the sates and saving all the money that I can to be able to help support myself until I can find an employer.

 

[scylla]

I feel like the best way to go about this would be pack for the short time go for the six months and if anything apply for the extension and see if we can go about the common-law path we can both work while I am still living in the sates and saving all the money that I can to be able to help support myself until I can find an employer.

Just to be clear, you do need to live together continuously for a full year to become common law. If you decide to do this in Canada, you should assume you won't be able to work at all during this time. Also keep in mind that you won't be covered by Canada's health care system. So you'll want to take out private health care insurance to cover any emergencies. For non-emergency care, you'll need to pay for that out of pocket.

 

[Amg5192]

Just to be clear, you do need to live together continuously for a full year to become common law. If you decide to do this in Canada, you should assume you won't be able to work at all during this time. Also keep in mind that you won't be covered by Canada's health care system. So you'll want to take out private health care insurance to cover any emergencies. For non-emergency care, you'll need to pay for that out of pocket.

Yes, I understand that. Am I able to stay there as a visitor for a year if I continuously get extensions?

 

[scylla]

Yes, I understand that. Am I able to stay there as a visitor for a year if I continuously get extensions?

If the extensions are approved by CIC - yes. Typically if you say you are requesting an extension to become common law and file for PR - you're almost always approved.

 

[Rob_TO]

I feel like the best way to go about this would be pack for the short time go for the six months and if anything apply for the extension and see if we can go about the common-law path we can both work while I am still living in the sates and saving all the money that I can to be able to help support myself until I can find an employer.

If you plan to stay as a visitor for 12 months, then apply inland for common-law along with OWP... it will probably be approx 16 or so months until you actually have the open work permit in hand. This is assuming 12 months qualifying + 1 month to put the PR app together + 3-4 months wait for the OWP to arrive in the mail.

 

[Amg5192]

If you plan to stay as a visitor for 12 months, then apply inland for common-law along with OWP... it will probably be approx 16 or so months until you actually have the open work permit in hand. This is assuming 12 months qualifying + 1 month to put the PR app together + 3-4 months wait for the OWP to arrive in the mail.

okay makes sense i really appreciate all the feed back and help.