Where should I start?

This entire process is overwhelming.

My boyfriend is a Canadian citizen and I am an American citizen - he and I have discussed marriage but want to live together before making any serious life plans.

I frequently visit canada on a visitors visa, but I am unsure how to begin the process of finding a job and permanently staying in the country.

On my next trip up can I just tell the immigration officer that I'm staying for 6 months and during that time attempt to find an employer?  From what I've read arranged employment is the easiest way to get the ball rolling on a TWP.

If I find a job, can I extend my TWP and apply for some kind of permanent residency?

If I cannot find a job in 6 months, can I return to the states and then immediately re-enter?

I've heard from people that the NAFTA may have some impact on me finding employment and ensuring residency but I havent been able to find anything specific on that topic.

Any insight on this matter is very appreciated.

both ways are good for you and your partner, it's all up to you if you want to live in US with your bf or on your home country

darklexi -

Here's how the six month visit works...

How long you are allowed to stay is determined by the officers at the border every single time you enter. You might get the default 6 months, you might only be allowed to visit for a shorter period of time, or you could be denied entry all together.

Keep in mind that the six month visit is a priviledge and not a right. If border officials think you are starting to behave more as a resident of Canada than a visitor, then there's a chance they might approve you for a shorter visit or even turn you away. For this reason it's also an extremely bad idea to show up at the border in a car stuffed with all of your personal belonging. Some people (yes, even US citizens) have even been banned from Canada for a year for attempting this since they were clearly moving rather than visiting. If you plan to cross the border often - the best advice I can give you is get a Nexus card now.

Giving "finding employment" as a reason for extending your stay is a bad idea since this states that you entered the country with plans to stay long term. CIC will take this as an abuse of your visitor priviledges.

1) Nothing in passport = you've been granted the standard six months.

2) Glad you're considering the Nexus card. Before he became a PR, my husband used to cross the border from US to Canada about once a month. He had zero problems and I think the Nexus card is the reason why.

3) No one is saying that you can't look for a job while you're here. There's just no way you should use this as a reason to extend a visit. FYI: Unless you fit the NAFTA job profile, it's going to be difficult to find an employer even if you're here. In order for someone to hire you, then have to successfully apply for an LMO (labour market opinion). In short, this process involves posting the job on Canadian job boards for a few weeks to see if any Canadians apply (the employer has to be able to prove they were unable to find a Canadian or train a Canadian to do the job and that's why they want to hire a foreigner). Assuming no qualified Canadians apply, they then submit an LMO application to the Canadian government. This entire process involves a lot of red tape and waiting - and not all LMOs are approved. As a result, many/most employers simply aren't interested in going through the process unless somone has extremely specialized skills that aren't readily available here.

4) If you get married, your boyfriend can sponsor you now. No need to save money to meet a savings cut off. No need to live together for a year. (My husband is American and the processing of his PR application only took 4 months.) You could also apply for a student visa - however keep in mind that this option requires cash as well since you'll be paying out of country tuition fees and will have to show an additional $10K to cover first year living expenses.

Hope this helps.

Hi

anshia wrote: hi i want to apply for canada fast track immigration.can anyone tell me what is the process and how to apply.can i apply without any consultant?what is the list of documents required.from where can i got the form ?

There is no fast track, start your reading at www.cic.gc.ca