HELP so lost

[Kissa 0]

I want to eventually (sooner the better) move to the states to be with my bf and I haven't the first idea where to begin or what to figure out. I'm so lost and overwhelmed it makes me wanna cry. Everything I see for visas is either work, school, or spousal. I don't qualify for any of those from what I can tell and I don't want to rush into a marriage just to be able to move to be with him. What am I missing???

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You aren't missing anything There are no visas to just live together. You have visas for school, work and family( spouse or fiance to marry in 90 days) otherwise you have to settle for visiting.

[NikLR 13,227]

As the above poster mentioned you're not missing anything. If you want to live in the USA, you have to be married, sponsored to work, or be in school. It is a bit different if he was moving to Canada as you can have a common-law relationship (live together for 6 months) but then one of you is fully supporting the other person.

It is what it is.

[Flames9_RN 358]

For a relationship--Marriage has to be the end result. If your not married--then the k1 is a possible route--head to the k1 forum and read the guide at the top of the forum! Once you get the visa--you then have up to 90 days to get married! So marriage has to be the result. Of course I guess one could get the k1 visa, and then live together for awhile (up to 90 days) and then say this guy is crazy, drives me nutz in a bad way and then head back to Canada!!

But do read the k1 guide

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/80-k-1-fiancee-visa-process-procedures/

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm

And yes a Cdn can VISIT for up to 6 months with Port of entry (POE) officer approval--Keep in mind one requires strong ties to Canada. Best of luck and READ THE GUIDES--No 1 cares more about your situation than you. The process is really not that difficult- it is the waiting that sucks. For a k1, your looking around 6-8 months from start to Interview.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Unfortunately a visa is the only way to live together aside from visits up to 6 months. Visiting for a long period of time can be rough because, as others have mentioned, you need to prove strong ties to Canada. Proof of ties are usually having a job, a lease, school - which obviously are tough to maintain if you leave for more than a few weeks!

My (now) husband and I visited back and forth for about a year and a half and then decided we wanted to get married. We got engaged and started the visa process and eventually got married. It's rough but we made it work because we love each other. It's do-able.

[Ms Hogan 295]

My husband and I have been together for 3.5 years but only married in October of 2012. Once we knew that moving to the USA was the better choice for us we wound up moving our marriage forward so we could be together all the time sooner.

Immigrating to the US is a huge privilege and a huge deal. I feel the same way about immigrating to Canada. Either way, you'll have to deal with having a long distance relationship until you both know for sure you want to get married. I agree with you that you should not rush into marriage. Don't talk yourself into it just because you miss each other and it's the only way to immigrate. Be patient with your relationship. If it can withstand the long distance and you truly decide it's the right decision for you then you'll both be stronger and so will your marriage.

[pocheros 101]

My husband and I dated long-distance for 4 years before getting married. It was difficult but worth it. We discussed getting married early in our relationship so we could be together sooner but decided against it as we didn't know each other well enough to make such a commitment. Unfortunately there aren't any visas for the US for people who just want to cohabit; eventually if you want to be together in the US you will have to get married.

Edited February 24, 2013 by pocheros