I can't find a way to be down there...

[Shane M. 0]

Hello all! My name is Shane - I am Canadian - and I'm in a long-distance relationship with an American girl. We're both nineteen - she's in college and I just got a job that can support this relationship.

It has been three years and she wants more. I want more. I want to move down there and be for her, but we can't get married because she has a scholarship worth over $100,000 that may go void if we get married (does anyone know any loopholes around this?) and I don't want to put her education and future on the line.

Is there a way I can live down there with her and support her emotionally until she's done college and we can get married? I need help desperately...

[Barbara J 115]

Hello all! My name is Shane - I am Canadian - and I'm in a long-distance relationship with an American girl. We're both nineteen - she's in college and I just got a job that can support this relationship.

It has been three years and she wants more. I want more. I want to move down there and be for her, but we can't get married because she has a scholarship worth over $100,000 that may go void if we get married (does anyone know any loopholes around this?) and I don't want to put her education and future on the line.

Is there a way I can live down there with her and support her emotionally until she's done college and we can get married? I need help desperately...

How long does she have left with college? You would have to apply for a work visa here but that's only temporary. If you don't want her to lose her scholarship then you will have to wait and just have visits here. This is purely the mother in me talking, you are only 19 there is plenty of time to settle down yet. Just stay in the relationship and wait till it is legal or ok with her education to apply for a K1 / 129f petition. She being the USC would have to petition on your behalf or you visit her marry and then she applies for a CR1 spousal visa while you go back to Canada. But I am not advocating this at all take your time and look at marriage later is my advice.

[Szilvia74 3]

Yes there is no other way for you to live here other than marriage or work visa.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

You may wish to post this question in the Canadian regional forum - we have a wealth of relevant experience with the Cdn flavour which may help

[NickD 202]

My now daughter-in-law had such a scholarship, but as I recall, was only $80,000.00, plus her dad was also helping her with the same condition, you get married and your husband will take over. Son was separated from her for months at a time, he practically drove me nuts talking about her. But the big thing is, they were truly in love and stuck it out for something like five years. Today, been married for four years, and gave me a wonderful granddaughter I just simply love to spoil.

It was meeting my then future daughter-in-law that got me interested in women again after a terrible divorce, but my sweetheart lived in Venezuela. From the time I asked her to marry me, we had to wait another 15 months before I could bring her here. That time seemed almost endless, but again we both stuck it out and already have been happily married six years now.

When I think back to my then high school sweetheart, was drafted, wasn't six months after being separated, I got a Dear John from her, was heartbroken, but got over it. She found someone else. But I did run into her about six years later, man, did she get fat and ugly. Time is the only true factor in determining if true love does actually exists. I know how you feel, not sure how your girl feels. But the big thing is, can both of you, stick it out?

I also have a very beautiful stepdaughter, paying her way through college now, but if she gets married, her husband will have to take over.

[Shane M. 0]

Thanks for all of your replies!

I have a question.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=cab23e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=cab23e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

According to this, I can extend my stay. Is it possible to extend my stay for up to four years as long as I don't commit any crimes, etc.?

[Barbara J 115]

My now daughter-in-law had such a scholarship, but as I recall, was only $80,000.00, plus her dad was also helping her with the same condition, you get married and your husband will take over. Son was separated from her for months at a time, he practically drove me nuts talking about her. But the big thing is, they were truly in love and stuck it out for something like five years. Today, been married for four years, and gave me a wonderful granddaughter I just simply love to spoil.

It was meeting my then future daughter-in-law that got me interested in women again after a terrible divorce, but my sweetheart lived in Venezuela. From the time I asked her to marry me, we had to wait another 15 months before I could bring her here. That time seemed almost endless, but again we both stuck it out and already have been happily married six years now.

When I think back to my then high school sweetheart, was drafted, wasn't six months after being separated, I got a Dear John from her, was heartbroken, but got over it. She found someone else. But I did run into her about six years later, man, did she get fat and ugly. Time is the only true factor in determining if true love does actually exists. I know how you feel, not sure how your girl feels. But the big thing is, can both of you, stick it out?

I also have a very beautiful stepdaughter, paying her way through college now, but if she gets married, her husband will have to take over.

Oh Nick she is beautiful just gorgeous

Thanks for all of your replies!

I have a question.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=cab23e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=cab23e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

According to this, I can extend my stay. Is it possible to extend my stay for up to four years as long as I don't commit any crimes, etc.?

I don't like your chances but you could try but not sure B2 comes under this

[milimelo 4,477]

Moving to general immigration related discussion as this topic is not related to US citizenship.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thanks for all of your replies!

I have a question.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=cab23e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=cab23e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

According to this, I can extend my stay. Is it possible to extend my stay for up to four years as long as I don't commit any crimes, etc.?

Not a chance. Extensions are granted only if you have a compelling reason to stay, you can demonstrate that your extended stay will be temporary (including proof of when you'll leave), you can demonstrate how you will be financially supported during your stay, and you can demonstrate how it will affect those "strong ties" that you're supposed to have that would have compelled you to return when you originally entered. You provide this evidence with the I-539 form (look it up on the USCIS website and read the instructions for it). There is no appeal if the application is denied.

USCIS uses the term "immigrant intent". This does not simply refer to someone who plans to get a green card. This refers to anyone who enters with the intention of remaining beyond their authorized stay, and essentially parking themselves in the US for an indeterminate or even specific amount of time. Immigration law requires that you do not have immigrant intent when you enter the United States as a non-immigrant. It also requires the US government agencies that deal with immigration to presume that you DO have immigrant intent, and if they find any evidence of it they are required to make you prove you do not intend to stay longer than you are authorized to stay. When you submit an application for an extension of stay then the suspicion of immigrant intent is magnified dramatically.

In other words, you might get away with one extension if you can provide a good reason and meet the other conditions I described above. The chances of being approved a second time are close to zero. Presuming you are admitted for the standard 6 months, and manage to get a 6 month extension, the best you could hope for is one year.

[Shane M. 0]

How about if I attended a community college or something near her for the time being? I don't have the money for a full-fledged college, but I could probably manage a community college. Would I be able to get a visa for it?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

How about if I attended a community college or something near her for the time being? I don't have the money for a full-fledged college, but I could probably manage a community college. Would I be able to get a visa for it?

Sure. Check out the school's website to ensure that they are accredited and can accept F-1 applications. Most will have a page or brochure you can download that outlines the requirements for submitting an application, and the approximate costs you can expect to pay as an international student. Once your application is accepted by the school then you can apply for a visa.

Most colleges will have an application deadline for international students. This is usually weeks ahead of the normal application deadline for state resident students because of the additional time required to process the application. If you were applying now then you'd probably be processed for the fall semester of 2011/2012.

Most colleges will also require your academic transcripts, TOEFL test results, evidence of financial support, and health related examinations.

International students usually pay the same tuition as a student who is a resident of another state. The cost is going to vary a lot, depending on how much funding the college gets from the state and local governments. In my area, the fees for a full-time international student run about $5,000 per year.

[Shane M. 0]

Is it possible for me to get a scholarship or financial aid from the school despite being so far away?

I ask this because I don't know if community colleges are on OSAP's list of approved schools due to the website being down at the moment.

[Darnell 8,478]

check out the TN-1 visa also - it's a special thing for Canadiens.

[Shane M. 0]

TN-1 visa is very interesting, but how do I find someone willing to hire me?

[Darnell 8,478]

TN-1 visa is very interesting, but how do I find someone willing to hire me?

apparently you have a computer with a keyboard - maybe it's time to hook in with The Google and find those employers that would hire you?

If it seems too much, befriend yer research librarian in yer city, she/he can suss you out, get you all the info that you need.