Gf in canada I'm in US

[Tskj58801 0]

Researching options,  my girlfriend resides in canada, we both live and work in border towns. I want to live with her before we get married, but continue working in the US.  What options would I have?

[CantThinkOfOne 22]

15 minutes ago, Tskj58801 said:

Researching options,  my girlfriend resides in canada, we both live and work in border towns. I want to live with her before we get married, but continue working in the US.  What options would I have?

If you're not ready got get married yet, your best bet would be to move Canada, as you mention you live in border towns guess it wouldn't be a biggie for you to cross the border everyday to go to work and back.

Think I read somewhere in here on VJ of some USC living in Tijuana with their mexican SO, and working in San Diego (different country, but similar situation).

It's the advantage you guys have to already live pretty close to each other, so relocating across the border shouldn't be an issue, and it gives you the opportunity to see whether you function as a couple while living together. But keep your voting rights, US drivers licence, and maybe a mailbox in the US in case you do decide at some point to get married and take the immigration path .

Best of luck

 

Bit OT: Think that's one of the major problems of a lot of other couples, where the immigrating partner comes from overseas, that they do not have the time spent together, other than maybe for a couple weeks, and those with mainly a vacation feeling. And, after the nerves wrecking paperwar with the Immigration, they arrive here, everyday life sets in and they notice it's not really the same. Adjusting to a new country and its culture, for some maybe even trouble with getting a job, finding friends and things to do to keep themselves busy, can totally understand why some marriages fail. 

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from DCF to the Canada regional forum; Canada does not offer DCF**

[Alcyone 0]

Well, there are different options but I would strongly recommend neither of you quit your jobs or get rid of your housing/apartment in your respective countries. If the Border folks on either side suspect your intent then having that job and housing (in other words, ties) back in the home country will usually spare you from being denied entry or sent back. 

 

There doesn't really seem to be an inland option for US immigration like there is for Canada but a k-1 might be an option if at some point you want to get married. 

 

I wish it was simpler but despite our countries having such close ties it can be very challenging as a cross-border couple.

Edited June 23, 2017 by Alcyone

[NikLR 13,232]

There are no girlfriend visas in either direction.  If you want to inland process in Canada you need to be common-law at the very least.  You can't just live in Canada as suggested. She can't just live in the USA either.  Immigration in either drection will take a commitment.