Just new here and starting the journey.....wow info overload

[JoeBee 0]

Hello Everyone,

I have just started searching for info.....about how I can move to the US to be with my BF....

Seems lots of info and lots of confusing form names etc.....Im sure I will learn as I go along.

Firstly I am hoping to move simply to be with him, we are older and he is well established in his career /job and owns his own fully paid for home.

I would be supported by him, although I think once I am settled I would like to get a part time job simply to occupy my time while he is at work however this is not urgent I would not NEED the job to live.

We might like to eventually marry but I am in the divorce process and can not as of yet remarry. We are not in any hurry to marry and would simply like to live together for a while.....as the long distance thing bites big time.

I have been reading info and learning....lots of info to digest...

My first real question, that i have yet to find an answer to....

I know I can visit up to 6 months..... if I stay the full 6 how long do i have to return home before I can go back? So far i have only visited a week at a time and have always had a return ticket. When asked listed my visit as personal and was never questioned further...really I was just on vacation and never intended to stay longer.

So I am just saying hello.....you will prob be seeing me around a lot...lurking and asking questions :-)

Hugs

[jxn 86]

I'm not sure about visiting past six months or how long you'd have to wait otherwise, but a good starting place would be the U.S. embassy in Canada's website.

[CowBoE 429]

Welcome aboard...after 9 months...I'm still information overloaded...

[Ontarkie 14,227]

~~Moved to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration , from K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures - As nothing has been started and the OP is in the learning stages of visas~~

Edited August 7, 2014 by Ontarkie

[ricnally 258]

Generally, you should stay out of the US longer than you're in it. So after a 6 month visit, you should not come back for six months. Even so, you can only do those long visits for a limited number of times before they will catch on at the border and either deny you or limit your stay to a shorter time.

[Sarah&Marc 22]

From what I've read you can stay 6 months in a calendar year so I'd do several shorter visits so you can see each other more frequently throughout the year. To be together permanently you will need to wait until you can marry and then file for a fiance visa. Once it is approved you will have 90 days to marry after you cross the boarder. I believe the approval process is taking 6-9 months so hopefully you will be ready to make that commitment by then. Good luck!

[NikLR 13,227]

Remember that if you are out of your province for too long you will lose your health benefits. If you plan on being in the USA for any period of time you need good travel insurance, especially if you're there longer than not.

The only way to the USA permanently is marriage. There is no boyfriend/girlfriend visa. Either you need to be planning to be married and available to do so (K1 - Fiancé visa) or already married (CR1 - spousal visa.) Neither of which you can even attempt until after your divorce is finalized. Check out the

There are many ways to get denied going to the USA.

• Shorter stays generally look better than longer stays.
• You may want to buy a flexible ticket that allows you to change the date should you decide to stay longer, but going down without a return date at all, is a sure way to be denied, especially for someone who doesn't work.
• You should bring ties to Canada. Proof of leases, rental agreements, mortgage, bills etc.. It may be asked for, it may not be, but it's better to have than not.
• Pack appropriately. Don't pack for 2 months if you are only staying 1 week.
• Never lie. Lying is a sure way to get yourself a ban.

Also to note, you cannot work in the USA. You would need to be adjusting your status and have work authorization (like from a K1 visa) or have a green card, or have a work visa to be able to work in the USA.