Immigration to Canada from USA... help?

Question

Alright, I have a really good friend who lives in the States and wants to move up here into Canada with me. However, all the information I have read has only caused us greater confusion. Is it really as difficult as the websites make it seem?

Any information from personal experience would be wonderful.

As well, am I able to sponsor him to move here? Or can he just move here and then do all the paperwork?

Answer 1

You can only sponsor him as either a spouse or a common-law spouse. To be a common-law spouse, you have to have proof that you've lived together for a year. The only other way he can immigrate is as a skilled worker.

Either way, he can not just 'move to Canada'. First he has to obtain Permanent Resident (PR) status. Here are the ways he could try to get PR status:
1. he could come to Canada as a visitor, marry you, then apply as a spouse from within Canada. When he enters Canada, he has to come as a visitor, only bringing what luggage a tourist would resonably bring. He can not move his belongings up to Canada until he obtains PR status. He also may not be able to work in Canada until he gets PR status. It can take up to a year to receive PR status.

2. he could come to Canada as a visitor, stay with you for a year, then apply as common-law. He would not be able to bring his belongings or work until he receives PR status though. After he's been in Canada for 6 months as a visitor staying with you, he'd have to apply to extend his visit in Canada.

3. he can apply from the US for PR status as a skilled worker. He would have to remain in the US until he received the PR status. To apply this way, he'd have to meet the points requirement, and pass an interview.

Please join this Yahoo group, most of it's members have married a Canadian and are in the PR process. They can give you advice and support and walk you thru filling out the immigration forms:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canadian_immigration/
Good Luck!

Answer 2

I am looking for my common-in-law to come in here as well. I also look at those website for immigration and print off tons of forms and stuff. If you are willing, for a little more $$, you can get a immigration lawyer to get involved. I don't know which area you are from, but I am from Windsor, Ontario. There is a wonderful lawyer in town. Anyways, any immigration lawyer will sit down with you, explaining ten times better than those website, and will represent you (for better results). I know it can be expensive, but i think it's the best way to go for it. I am in the process of meeting with that one lawyer, for my common-in-law. Now, your "friend"... is he close friend, like boyfriend, or just a friend?... cause you can sponser a spouse, common in law, or conjugal partner. I am not sure about other cases. Unless he gets a Visa for Work or School. Anyways, good luck, but I think you should get a lawyer. They should even do the first consultation free of charge, if they won't.. then don't bother, get another one that will. :) Good luck with it all !!

Answer 3

The sponsor in Canada must prepare all the documents of the Immigrant. There will be no problem because the immigrant is from US.

Answer 4

You speak English so you could surf for that answer: use terms: "become a Canadian citizen" United States. they have that exact term. I think anybody can be Sponsored. Ask a lawyer as this is a lawyers question more-so.

Answer 5

They do share FBI and risk-free practices exams with one yet another. Any American emigrating to Canada gets the historic past verify by CIA and FBI, and for CSIS & RCMP for Canadians emigrating to u . s .. I even have additionally heard rumours of database links between Canada sales and the IRS. have no longer something to be sure that information nonetheless.