Mielikki Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 I am a Canadian and my boyfriend is an American. Our finances are so limited, making it impossible to consult a lawyer to advise us. We want to know our options. Whats the fastest, legal way to finally live with him in the states and be able to work? Are there any good websites to help? I wont go into great detail about our relationship in this thread because I would really prefer to stick to the legalities, realities of moving a small appartment through customs & 3000 miles, etc. I will add that we are very much in love. We've spent close to a year talking everyday through webcam, and had a perfect time together when I went down to see him & see if I could live where he does. This was followed by the deepest grief for the better part of a week as we faced the reality of being torn appart by responsabilities. Although we are both looking into this as much as we can, there is the concern that we might be missing something - that there are other options we havent thought of. Is it true that I can go to the states to visit him, get married and then get a greencard within a few weeks/months? As marriage is something we both want, I am very ok with doing this, but I don't know about the details. We aren't afraid of hard work, but we don't want to wait longer than we have to just to finally end the LDR and finally live & work together as we want it. Has anyone else gone through something similar and feel like sharing their experiances here? I would love to read any citizenship changing stories. And if there are any very good useful websites for this, I would be very greatful. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites
Faith2 Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 The very best resource is visajourney.com - you'll find everything you need to know there. Excellent forums, too. Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Here's the official government site to immigration. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Is it true that I can go to the states to visit him, get married and then get a greencard within a few weeks/months? My ex-wife was Canadian and we went thru this. You need to get married but the green card will take around a year or two to process. During that time you'll need to pretend like you're still living in Canada and just coming to the US for "visits" if you know what I mean, nudge nudge wink wink... And you won't be able to "legally" work in the US until you get the green card. Again...nudge nudge wink wink Link to post Share on other sites
Author Mielikki Posted April 6, 2007 Author Share Posted April 6, 2007 My ex-wife was Canadian and we went thru this. You need to get married but the green card will take around a year or two to process. During that time you'll need to pretend like you're still living in Canada and just coming to the US for "visits" if you know what I mean, nudge nudge wink wink... And you won't be able to "legally" work in the US until you get the green card. Again...nudge nudge wink wink Oh thank you for the answer, I've been trying to find out if this was possible, legal, and how long it would take for quite some time now. I thought it was too good to be true. /sigh. Looks like this wont be an option for us. I don't have any intentions of being unlawful, because it's not in my nature and I can't risk jeopardizing the process of being with him. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Mielikki Posted April 6, 2007 Author Share Posted April 6, 2007 The very best resource is visajourney.com - you'll find everything you need to know there. Excellent forums, too. Thank you Very much for this site! I had looked for some before, and they never really applied to our situation. Link to post Share on other sites
taiko Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Go ahead and get married and contiue to visit. As a Canadian the US government is not really concerned about you being an illegal alien. Follow the advice you find on Visajourney add a few hundred dollars in filing fees and for all practical purposes you are in. Link to post Share on other sites
Zona76 Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 Been there ... done it... and so can you. Met my husband on-line in '99 and we finaly met face to face in '02. As he was from Montreal, English was not his native language. We checked our options and because of this silly 6 month rule, he was unable to simply come to Florida to live with me. Marriage is your only option. You say you want to move to the USA? Good. Now you or he will have a lot of reading to do. That's why immigration lawyers make so much money. They know the correct forms to file for the countries of which you move to. It's not going to be easy but it's possible. He will have to show proof he can support you till you are able to become permanent resident. Robert didn't get his green card till after our first Interview one year after our marriage. I had to show proof I was able to support us both. This May we celebrate our second Anniversary. Second marriage for us both. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Mielikki Posted April 8, 2007 Author Share Posted April 8, 2007 As he was from Montreal, English was not his native language. That's why immigration lawyers make so much money. They know the correct forms to file for the countries of which you move to. Robert didn't get his green card till after our first Interview one year after our marriage. I had to show proof I was able to support us both. This May we celebrate our second Anniversary. Second marriage for us both. First off, Thank you so much Zona that was very helpful! I find it amusing that I too am from Montreal and, if south FL is where u are from, lol, my fiance is from FL too lol. I thought that was pretty coincidental ;D Do you know what's the average price immigration lawyers are charging, or where I could find out? I don't want to assume it is totally out of our reach, only to find out we could have paid for it even if we have to save up for a long time, or work 2 jobs. If you had to provide for him until he got his card, does that mean he was unable to have an income until that point? What did you both do about this? I'm very happy to hear it went well, btw. I am so happy for you both, and happy anniversary, if I dont get the chance to wish you one later Link to post Share on other sites
Faith2 Posted April 8, 2007 Share Posted April 8, 2007 Do you know what's the average price immigration lawyers are charging, or where I could find out? You could ask this question on the forum at visajourney.com - or else do a search through their archived threads. It's the ultimate resource, and the members there are very generous with their help and practical advice. I know several couples who have successfully made it through the immigraton process with the good support they found on visajourney. Link to post Share on other sites
Zona76 Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 He'd been able to do odd jobs. (under the table) *Jobs you don't report* Lawyers...What it costs? You DON'T want to know. That bad! But it costs nothing to ask. You'll be shocked! He's great with computers, He's a fabulous handi-man. My home was in pretty bad shape. He'd done so much. I told him I feel I'm coming out ahead considering what they charge for plumbers and electricians here. We're heading back up July. His son is there and his brother. He still has his home on Le Gasp. Link to post Share on other sites
Zona76 Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Yes... income. My job provides me with excellent health coverage. My house and car is paid for. We chose Florida mainly due to my Mother is in a nursing home. AND that my job was more secure than his. Most of all Florida because... I Don't Do Snow! I have lived here all my life and I simply don't deal well with cold. Link to post Share on other sites
catrocks Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Hey I'm going through the getting a visa process at the moment. I live in England and am planning on moving to Ohio in September and getting married to my fiancé. We got a lawyer - I believe it was $4000 in total, that included the application fees etc. I'm sure I read somewhere that there are free immigration lawyers though, try googling that. Anyways I am getting a fiance visa which seems to be taking forever. But once I have the visa I go there and we get married and then I can stay so none of this bs like with other options. Only problem is it takes 6 months to a year to get the visa which works for me cos I am finishing college, but might not be the option for you. I heard that another (unofficial) way is if you are visiting and you two randomly decided to get married on a whim then you can stay. Once you're married you'll be at the front of the line for visas since you'd be family. Hope you figure a way out! Link to post Share on other sites
Zona76 Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Hey I heard that another (unofficial) way is if you are visiting and you two randomly decided to get married on a whim then you can stay. Once you're married you'll be at the front of the line for visas since you'd be family. I wouldn't try that! You'd risk deportation. Link to post Share on other sites
catrocks Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 I wouldn't try that! You'd risk deportation. I know, it sounds way risky. Interestingly enough, however, it was my immigration lawyer who told me this. Link to post Share on other sites
Zona76 Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Read up on this before you try to act on it. If you are deported you may be unable to reenter for several years. You can do the immigration yourself. But it requires meticulous reading. Filing the forms all on your own if you do it right can cost you so much less. I know all that legal crap is boring. But you need to read all the words. They will refer you to other forms that may not apply; but those other forms also refer you to ones that may apply. I think for "US" it ran about $600.00 He came over from Canada to USA Link to post Share on other sites
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