love

I apologize in advance if these questions are rudimentary or have been done before.

I'm an american citizen who's been traveling this past year. Nine months total between Australia, N.Z, and the Fiji Islands.

When I returned stateside I decided I was quite interested in visiting / traveling about Canada.

While in British Columbia I ended up meeting a wonderful women who I'd conversed with via the internet for approx. 6 months (Even while traveling). We have heaps in common and have been LIVING together the past month.

Over the past week we've discussed the realities of myself being able to stay in Canada. We are interested in getting married. Though are still sorting plans out (We're at the very beginning of planning).

My visitor VISA to Canada will expire in January. I have read many stories (Including on this web-site) about 2 people who do love each other very much. But yet one of them is a Canadian citizen and the other a USA citizen. And for example, the USA citizen returning to the USA for a short while. Attempting to come back to Canada to be with his / her loved one and being declined entry! And then being "stuck" (Sometimes for extended periods) in the USA while things are sorted out.

Originally the plan was to travel across country (B.C - Manitoba - Quebec). To learn on many different facets of Canadian culture and vista landscape. Then I was planning to go to Vermont - N.Y - Boston - and perhaps Maine. But frankly now I'm concerned about leaving the country and not being able to get back.

And am more interested in being with the woman I love.

My question is,

What is the first step? Please do not judge the relationship because we've only lived together for a "short time". I think she is the most amazing person I've ever met and have searched my feelings high and low.

I have no criminal record. I'm still young (Mid-20's). She has 2 college degrees, no criminal record, and working a professional steady job ($35 CAD / hour).

How would we begin to apply for PR status for myself? We've not been together long enough to be considered "Common-law" in the eyes of the government. If we become married within the next few months. Will it be too late to apply for PR status before my visitor status expires in January? I DO NOT want to stay in Canada illegally. I'm just hoping to find the answers to go through the proper legal channels. But am only beginning to research. Possibily someone out there who's been in a similiar situation is knowledgable on this. Any advice would help too. Please feel free to e-mail! Cheers!

[email protected]

Andrew Miller

Marriage seems the fastest way to be able to start the process under your
circumstances - are you both ready for that? If not then you must live together
for at least a year in order for you to be sponsored as common-law spouse. Once
you get married you may apply from within Canada and as an American you should
have no problems traveling between US and Canada while application is being
processed.

--

../..

Andrew Miller
Immigration Consultant
Vancouver, British Columbia
email: [email protected]
(delete REMOVE from the above address before sending email)
________________________________



"love" wrote in message
news:431040.1033511906@britishexpats-
.com...
    > I apologize in advance if these questions are rudimentary or have been
    > done before.
    > I'm an american citizen who's been traveling this past year. Nine months
    > total between Australia, N.Z, and the Fiji Islands.
    > When I returned stateside I decided I was quite interested in visiting /
    > traveling about Canada.
    > While in British Columbia I ended up meeting a wonderful women who I'd
    > conversed with via the internet for approx. 6 months (Even while
    > traveling). We have heaps in common and have been LIVING together the
    > past month.
    > Over the past week we've discussed the realities of myself being able to
    > stay in Canada. We are interested in getting married. Though are still
    > sorting plans out (We're at the very beginning of planning).
    > My visitor VISA to Canada will expire in January. I have read many
    > stories (Including on this web-site) about 2 people who do love each
    > other very much. But yet one of them is a Canadian citizen and the other
    > a USA citizen. And for example, the USA citizen returning to the USA for
    > a short while. Attempting to come back to Canada to be with his / her
    > loved one and being declined entry! And then being "stuck" (Sometimes
    > for extended periods) in the USA while things are sorted out.
    > Originally the plan was to travel across country (B.C - Manitoba -
    > Quebec). To learn on many different facets of Canadian culture and vista
    > landscape. Then I was planning to go to Vermont - N.Y - Boston - and
    > perhaps Maine. But frankly now I'm concerned about leaving the country
    > and not being able to get back.
    > And am more interested in being with the woman I love.
    > My question is,
    > What is the first step? Please do not judge the relationship because
    > we've only lived together for a "short time". I think she is the most
    > amazing person I've ever met and have searched my feelings high and low.
    > I have no criminal record. I'm still young (Mid-20's). She has 2 college
    > degrees, no criminal record, and working a professional steady job ($35
    > CAD / hour).
    > How would we begin to apply for PR status for myself? We've not been
    > together long enough to be considered "Common-law" in the eyes of the
    > government. If we become married within the next few months. Will it be
    > too late to apply for PR status before my visitor status expires in
    > January? I DO NOT want to stay in Canada illegally. I'm just hoping to
    > find the answers to go through the proper legal channels. But am only
    > beginning to research. Possibily someone out there who's been in a
    > similiar situation is knowledgable on this. Any advice would help too.
    > Please feel free to e-mail! Cheers!
    > [email protected]
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com