So confused, any help?

[sparrow1982 0]

Hi everyone,

Forgive me please, this is my first post and I'm trying to get at least some basic information. I've been able to find out a few things from government websites, etc., but hearing from anyone going through or who has been through anything similar would be very helpful.

My basic situation: I am a Canadian citizen. My fiance is an American citizen, in the army, currently deployed overseas. I believe he's planning to be "out" of the military by sometime next year (2014), at least that was the last plan I heard from him. He is scheduled to return to the States from his current deployment in September 2013. We may not want to get married right away, but I'm trying to get an idea of what is involved. I know about the fiance visa, but i have other concerns/factors.

I am currently on Ontario Disability support. I don't see myself being able to work in the near future (very unlikely before the end of 2013), so this is my only source of income. If we decided to go with the fiance visa option, I'm assuming I would lose this income? And I'm on several prescription drugs, so I'm concerned about how I can have any of these things covered without having to pay for them.

The basic dilemma is if we decided we wanted to live together in the United States at least until he has ended his military service, do we need to be engaged? I read something about Canadians being able to be viewed as a visitor for up to six months at a time, but you cannot work, which would not likely be a concern in my case. I'm mainly concerned with my prescription drugs and whether or not I could continue to receive my disability if I did either the fiance or "visiting" status. I don't like the idea of contributing nothing to the relationship financially, and my prescriptions are non-negotiable.

I'm sorry of any of this is unclear, I'm just very confused and would like to have a general idea of options, at least until he is no longer in service. At that point we would be able to discuss more permanent options if necessary, or him moving to Canada, etc. Neither of us have kids or have been previously married.

Thanks for any help, it seems very overwhelming and I'm a "planner" so I like to know at least the bare bones of what I'm looking at. I'd really like to pursue this engagement, but don't really like the idea of feeling rushed into getting married for the sake of a piece of paper. We're in love so I'd really like to investigate all of our options fully and within the parameters of the laws of both countries.

With many thanks,

Sarah

[jkelly07 120]

if you can look at the vj wiki top of this page.look for saylin spreed sheet nvc montral Canada her e.mail at the bottom of that page she is very good at Canada things.

[NikLR 13,220]

If you wish you keep your provincial benefits you have to be in the province for 183 days of the year. You do not have to give up any benefits or payments you receive from the Canadian gov't. (I'm not sure about provincial benefits, however, I bet they're similar to the health care.) However, if you immigrate to the USA via a fiancee or spousal visa, you lose any benefits (except EI) when you become a resident of the USA.

You may be allowed to visit the USA for up to 6 months (180 days) and you may be denied entry for trying to stay so long, especially without a job or many proof of ties to Canada.

It's sometimes harder than a person would think to find a well paying job out of the military. My husband is ex-USAF; was in for 8 years with tours in both Africa and Iraq. He came back to the USA from Guam in Nov 2011. He had several interviews but didn't acquire a job until Sept 2012. Thankfully he saved money very well and was able to support himself. We also seriously looked into having him move up to Canada and I'd found out the process to do so (which has changed since then) and costs. It takes longer to come to Canada but Americans can also visit Canada for up to 6 months.

Look at the comparison charts for the k1 and the cr1 and the costs of the two. Don't rush into marriage. But he may also want to come live with you for 6 months after he leaves the military.

[Ontarkie 13,915]

You won't be able to keep your disability when in the US even as a visitor for that long of a period. They require you to let them know when your gone for a period or more then 7 or 14 days I can't remember. Once you move to the US your disability stops too you won't be able to keep it. I wish we could.

[NikLR 13,220]

Ah good info.

[dukeandduchess 141]

You would probably have difficulty entering because you do not have strong proof of ties to Canada. Not trying to be a downer, it's not a certainty.