Canadian Living in the US

[Jocelyne]

So I have a boyfriend whos an american and I was wondering about moving to the us....what are the laws when it comes to a canadian moving to the states obviously I'd have to work and stuff so would I need a visa or something?? I thought since we have such a diverse group someone on here must know something since I have on idea where to look...
Hope someone can help or tell me where to look
thanks

[Eagle]

Jocelyne, I have some knowledge of the situation as I have a family member who is going through the U.S. Visa process at the moment. However, one thing that occurs to me is that the rules might be different for boyfriends than for spouses?

From the limited information that I have, I believe there is one Visa that allows you to live in the U.S. and another is required if you want to work there. The "Green Card" provides the same status as our "landed immigrant" permit, allowing you to both live and work but I'm not sure if it allows one to vote (you might need full citizenship for that)?

Your best bet would be to contact the U.S. Embassy and request information on the current requirements. Don't be surprised if I.N.S. isn't too enthusiastic about the idea. For some reason, they seem to discourage Canadians from moving to the U.S. I remember seeing a news item several years ago which stated "Canadians & Brits are specifically excluded from participating in the Green Card Lottery".

If you're firmly committed to the move, you could also contact an Immigration consultant or Immigration Lawyer, as they would be more familiar with the rules and legal requirements. If you search on the net, you'll probably find lots of them (I know because I've done this in the past).

Be prepared for a LONG wait, as the process takes a considerable period of time!!!

Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

[ashleyg]

My cousin is in the same situation. It's VERY hard for a Canadian to get a working visa in the US unless you have some specific skill for which an employer there would have difficulty finding a US citizen. So part of it depends on your line of work. My cousin is currently there on a student visa, and she has already been told that when it expires, she will be required to leave as her field (counselling therapy) is already over full there. The only way she can stay (legally) is by marrying her boyfriend. Even then, if the INS can choose to investigate if it is simply a marriage of convenience and can choose to deport her. It's not entirely a friendly system, though I'm not sure Canada is much better. The other option of course is to work there under the table. A word of caution though - if you contact the US embassy, you will be on record as interested in moving to the US, and if you decide to live or work there less than legally they will be tough on you when crossing the border.

[me]

www.uscis.gov/ might be a place to get info, Jocelyne. but, i wouldn't hold my breath, if i were you.

since 9/11, it's become more difficult to get into the US. although, i'd think it'd be easier for Canadians.

i'm no lawyer, certainly not an immigration lawyer, but my understanding is that you need employer sponsoring to get a green card, other than the lottery, which is different. the lottery is officially know as "Diversity Immigrant Visa Program," DV. it's specifically set up to give nationals of "underrepresented" countries a chance to immigrate. 50,000/year chosen randomly from the pool of applicants.

a national of any country which has sent more than 50,000 emmigrants to US in the last 5 years isn't eligible: "CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EL SALVADOR, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, POLAND, RUSSIA, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible."

[WillTravel]

I'd really advise against working under the table, because of possible medical insurance issues.

Judging from the ads I see in Canadian newspapers, teachers are in high demand in some US communities. Note that these communities are probably fairly challenging, which is why they are advertising in Canada. Otherwise, if you can get a health-care credential, that might be your best bet, because there's a shortage of many types of health-care professionals.

[Jocelyne]

Well I'm definitly going to have to really look into this then...ahh the dificulty....When I'm finished with europe I might be going home to my boyfriends for the rest of the summer and then after that we'd be looking to make it not so long distance if all went well....I'm glad I'm looking into this now

[me]

Jocelyne,

you could each move to border towns, right near each other.

[Jocelyne]

lol
good idea

[LHR02]

I can assure you that marrying a US citizen will in truth gain you nothing. My DIL and son have been married 4 years now...she was on a student visa which has needed to be renewed a couple of times already...and yes, she is in school, it's where they met. That required her to return to her home country and reapply...with no guarantee that it would be renewed. Regardless of the fact that she was married to a US citizen. (Her sister, also married to US and trying to get permanent status, went to Australia for 3 months with her husband, when they tried to return she was flatly denied. They are still seperated after 9 months of fighting the system.) Terribly stressful to say the least. They have spent over 15,000 USD thus far, and she finally has obtained a green card. For full citizenship (which is required before one can vote btw) they are looking at minimum another 7 years and probably that much more money again. Frankly, before his involvement, I had no idea how difficult it is, but I can tell you that without a very good attorney you are likely fighting an impossible battle. Trying to work it yourself with INS will simply run you in circles.....a sad reflection on our government employees I must add.