Jump to content
Erica & L

Moving Back To Canada?

 Share

16 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if there are any couples here that ended up moving back to Canada, or are thinking about it either for the immediate future or long-term.

I ask because after going throught he US immigration process, and discussing about moving up to the west coast, we are questioning if whether we would be happier in Canada overall.

We don't have strong ties in the US, or many friends here since we are always working and trying to save money, and all my friends/family in Canada are really the reason we'd like to be back in Vancouver.

We are just so stressed, and both severly depressed living down in the south, especially as two married women. We live in a small town, and I come from a big city. I don't have my license, so it's hard for me to get around (no transit system/cab system) without constantly relying on my wife. It makes me feel really dependant on her, and she has to do most of the running around/errands etc. I would just like to be back in a functioning, beautiful city again.

I also haven't had any health care since I've been here, being that we are just barely getting by financially, and that's scary to me.

One issue is that my wife had a DUI when she was 18, which essentially makes her inadmissible to Canada, and we'd have to go through something called "Rehabillitation" before getting her permnanet residency in Canada. A huge pain, but we'd probably move up to Seattle and just do it all from there.

I'm just really curious if any other couples are in the same boat, and are really not happy living in the US?

Edited by Erica & Lily

AOS:

Green Card Received in 168 Days

ROC

06/17/2016: ROC Mailed via USPS Express in Large Flate-Rate Box to Vermont Service Center (P.O. Box)

06/18/2016: ROC Delivered by USPS

06/22/2016: Check Cashed

06/24/2016: NOA1 Received Dated 06/20/2016

07/09/2016: ASC Appointment Notice Received Dated 07/02/2016 & Scheduled 07/21/2016

07/21/2016: Biometrics Successfully Completed (Birmingham)

05/18/2017: InfoPass Appointment - 1-Year Extension Stamp Received

06/06/2017: ROC Approval Letter Received Dated 05/30/2017

06/14/2017: Green Card Delivered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

There has been more then a few couples that moved back to Canada.

When I get a chance I'll try and find some of those threads.

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country:
Timeline

Hi,

I'm a Japanese man married to a U.S citizen man. We're sort of in the same boat. I got my GC last year, and I also discussed with my US spouse about moving to Japan possibly. Unlike Canada, same-sex marriage is not legal (but not illegal) in Japan. So that's the only reason we live in the States for now. I know how you feel about living in the South as two married women. At the same time you're lucky you can choose which country to live in, an option that we do not have.

I think you have a good reason to move to Canada. You can apply for a re-entry permit, which is good for two years. So you both can move to Canada and see how things go. If you'd prefer to live in the States, you can safely come back to the States without having to start over your GC process.

I'm relatively happy living in the States. I say happy because living in the States is the only way for me to live a happy life with my partner. I really wish I could live in Japan, but he'll be treated, from a legal and immigration perspective, as a total stranger to me (or BFF). Canada and the States are like sisters/brothers. The fact you're married to a U.S. citizen gives you more freedom.

I wish you both good luck!

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if there are any couples here that ended up moving back to Canada, or are thinking about it either for the immediate future or long-term.

I ask because after going throught he US immigration process, and discussing about moving up to the west coast, we are questioning if whether we would be happier in Canada overall.

We don't have strong ties in the US, or many friends here since we are always working and trying to save money, and all my friends/family in Canada are really the reason we'd like to be back in Vancouver.

We are just so stressed, and both severly depressed living down in the south, especially as two married women. We live in a small town, and I come from a big city. I don't have my license, so it's hard for me to get around (no transit system/cab system) without constantly relying on my wife. It makes me feel really dependant on her, and she has to do most of the running around/errands etc. I would just like to be back in a functioning, beautiful city again.

I also haven't had any health care since I've been here, being that we are just barely getting by financially, and that's scary to me.

One issue is that my wife had a DUI when she was 18, which essentially makes her inadmissible to Canada, and we'd have to go through something called "Rehabillitation" before getting her permnanet residency in Canada. A huge pain, but we'd probably move up to Seattle and just do it all from there.

I'm just really curious if any other couples are in the same boat, and are really not happy living in the US?

ROC

04/06/16

- I-751 mailed by priority

04/08/16

- NOA1

11/30/16

- card ordered (no interview)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry to hear that your options are limited! So in Japan it's not illegal but it's not legal to be recognized as anything?? That sounds like an awful grey area.

Yeah, it's fortunate that Canada isn't an ocean away. I'm just so mentally drained living down here, I can't even describe it, I just feel like I can't be fully happy if we stay in the US but at the same time we're stuck and just want to settle down and go back to school and live normally and permanently somewhere.

AOS:

Green Card Received in 168 Days

ROC

06/17/2016: ROC Mailed via USPS Express in Large Flate-Rate Box to Vermont Service Center (P.O. Box)

06/18/2016: ROC Delivered by USPS

06/22/2016: Check Cashed

06/24/2016: NOA1 Received Dated 06/20/2016

07/09/2016: ASC Appointment Notice Received Dated 07/02/2016 & Scheduled 07/21/2016

07/21/2016: Biometrics Successfully Completed (Birmingham)

05/18/2017: InfoPass Appointment - 1-Year Extension Stamp Received

06/06/2017: ROC Approval Letter Received Dated 05/30/2017

06/14/2017: Green Card Delivered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you!

AOS:

Green Card Received in 168 Days

ROC

06/17/2016: ROC Mailed via USPS Express in Large Flate-Rate Box to Vermont Service Center (P.O. Box)

06/18/2016: ROC Delivered by USPS

06/22/2016: Check Cashed

06/24/2016: NOA1 Received Dated 06/20/2016

07/09/2016: ASC Appointment Notice Received Dated 07/02/2016 & Scheduled 07/21/2016

07/21/2016: Biometrics Successfully Completed (Birmingham)

05/18/2017: InfoPass Appointment - 1-Year Extension Stamp Received

06/06/2017: ROC Approval Letter Received Dated 05/30/2017

06/14/2017: Green Card Delivered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Any chances of moving somewhere more liberal but within the US?

Wiz(USC) and Udella(Cdn & USC!)

Naturalization

02/22/11 - Filed

02/28/11 - NOA

03/28/11 - FP

06/17/11 - status change - scheduled for interview

06/20?/11 - received physical interview letter

07/13/11 - Interview in Fairfax,VA - easiest 10 minutes of my life

07/19/11 - Oath ceremony in Fairfax, VA

******************

Removal of Conditions

12/1/09 - received at VSC

12/2/09 - NOA's for self and daughter

01/12/10 - Biometrics completed

03/15/10 - 10 Green Card Received - self and daughter

******************

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any chances of moving somewhere more liberal but within the US?

We were originally thinking Portland or Seattle, but honestly, I really just don't like this country, and neither does my wife.

We'd be closer to Canada, but we'd still be alone. We'd still be missing all the things we are missing now.

We'd both have to wait another year for school to get in-state tuition, still wouldn't be able to afford health care, it just still wouldn't be where we ultimately want to be. As much as I like Seattle and Portland, I've been there many times, it still would not feel like home.

AOS:

Green Card Received in 168 Days

ROC

06/17/2016: ROC Mailed via USPS Express in Large Flate-Rate Box to Vermont Service Center (P.O. Box)

06/18/2016: ROC Delivered by USPS

06/22/2016: Check Cashed

06/24/2016: NOA1 Received Dated 06/20/2016

07/09/2016: ASC Appointment Notice Received Dated 07/02/2016 & Scheduled 07/21/2016

07/21/2016: Biometrics Successfully Completed (Birmingham)

05/18/2017: InfoPass Appointment - 1-Year Extension Stamp Received

06/06/2017: ROC Approval Letter Received Dated 05/30/2017

06/14/2017: Green Card Delivered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No where ever feels like home unless you make it, but perhaps being closer to BC would help. There is nothing quite like BC, I get it. Heck even my husband gets it and he's been there once. LOL

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No where ever feels like home unless you make it, but perhaps being closer to BC would help. There is nothing quite like BC, I get it. Heck even my husband gets it and he's been there once. LOL

Yeah, my wife is more in love with Vancouver than I am. She's been cripplingly depressed some days wishing we could be back there permanently, it was really hard for us to leave a few weeks ago when we went to visit for the first time in a year and a half.

It doesn't feel like home here too because nobody around here has any drive or aspirations, everyone is perfectly fine with living and dying in this small town, never going to school, doing drugs and just struggling their whole life. It's not a good environment. I want more than that for us.

Edited by Erica & Lily

AOS:

Green Card Received in 168 Days

ROC

06/17/2016: ROC Mailed via USPS Express in Large Flate-Rate Box to Vermont Service Center (P.O. Box)

06/18/2016: ROC Delivered by USPS

06/22/2016: Check Cashed

06/24/2016: NOA1 Received Dated 06/20/2016

07/09/2016: ASC Appointment Notice Received Dated 07/02/2016 & Scheduled 07/21/2016

07/21/2016: Biometrics Successfully Completed (Birmingham)

05/18/2017: InfoPass Appointment - 1-Year Extension Stamp Received

06/06/2017: ROC Approval Letter Received Dated 05/30/2017

06/14/2017: Green Card Delivered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

I'd move anyway as it could take awhile to get your wife the "Rehabillitation" thing done.

Instate tuition sucks that they want you there for a year.

it took me aabout 3 yrs to feel like this was home.

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

I would definitely get yourself to a bigger town or city. Even if you stay in Georgia, a bigger city might help. If you don't stay in Georgia, going somewhere more liberal is definitely your best bet. I currently live in Toronto and am moving to Austin, TX. When I'm down in Austin, things are wonderful-unless we dare to go even to the outskirts. Then things are... not hostile, but I feel like a octopus at an emu convention we stick out so hard. Going to Ikea, even, can be weird for me. In Toronto, no one cares if two ladies are talking about which duvet they might like. We go to the outskirts of Austin and suddenly there are people staring and making multiple passes to make sure they really heard us right.

We'll definitely be leaving the south as soon as it's career-feasible for my wife, but Austin proper is better than most of the south would be. Getting yourself to a larger town with a couple of universities would help a lot, I think.

Met in 2010 on a forum for a mutual interest. Became friends.
2011: Realized we needed to evaluate our status as friends when we realized we were talking about raising children together.

2011/2012: Decided we were a couple sometime in, but no possibility of being together due to being same sex couple.

June 26, 2013: DOMA overturned. American married couples ALL have the same federal rights at last! We can be a family!

June-September, 2013: Discussion about being together begins.

November 13, 2013: Meet in person to see if this could work. It's perfect. We plan to elope to Boston, MA.

March 13, 2014 Married!

May 9, 2014: Petition mailed to USCIS

May 12, 2014: NOA1.
October 27, 2014: NOA2. (5 months, 2 weeks, 1 day after NOA1)
October 31, 2014: USCIS ships file to NVC (five days after NOA2) Happy Halloween for us!

November 18, 2014: NVC receives our case (22 days after NOA2)

December 17, 2014: NVC generates case number (50 days after NOA2)

December 19, 2014: Receive AOS bill, DS-261. Submit DS-261 (52 days after NOA2)

December 20, 2014: Pay AOS Fee

January 7, 2015: Receive, pay IV Fee

January 10, 2015: Complete DS-260

January 11, 2015: Send AOS package and Civil Documents
March 23, 2015: Case Complete at NVC. (70 days from when they received docs to CC)

May 6, 2015: Interview at Montréal APPROVED!

May 11, 2015: Visa in hand! One year less one day from NOA1.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally I'd move somewhere with more options as well then go up to Canada if that's what you guys want to do. Where you are sounds a lot like where my husband grew up. He knows people, not just family, that will live their whole lives not going further than 30 mins from the place they're born. It's why he joined the military and got the heck outta dodge. He refused to move back there too after leaving the military and instead came to Colorado. (which incidentally looks a lot like Alberta. LOL) Even his brother left. His best friend did pretty much the same thing and no matter how much his wife complains, he refuses to move closer to where they grew up.

I love BC, not because my family is there, but because I love the province. We'd both like to retire there one day. But it's so expensive to live there it's scary!

Just remember immigrating to Canada can take a lot more time than immigrating to the USA. Your wife will need an FBI clearance and it can take quite a while to get so if you do want to go up there, doing her rehabilitation and getting that clearance (likely in that order) will be some of the steps you need to take. But first, I think you'll both be happier to move somewhere that at the very least respects the fact you two are married.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know Canada is expensive, but I survived living in Vancouver supporting myself as soon as I graduated, and I managed. With two incomes, we'd both be in even better shape.

I also have some inheritence money coming in, which could give us a down payment for a condo and such. The issue is getting to Canada or close right now, it's all a waiting game.

AOS:

Green Card Received in 168 Days

ROC

06/17/2016: ROC Mailed via USPS Express in Large Flate-Rate Box to Vermont Service Center (P.O. Box)

06/18/2016: ROC Delivered by USPS

06/22/2016: Check Cashed

06/24/2016: NOA1 Received Dated 06/20/2016

07/09/2016: ASC Appointment Notice Received Dated 07/02/2016 & Scheduled 07/21/2016

07/21/2016: Biometrics Successfully Completed (Birmingham)

05/18/2017: InfoPass Appointment - 1-Year Extension Stamp Received

06/06/2017: ROC Approval Letter Received Dated 05/30/2017

06/14/2017: Green Card Delivered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Go where you can be happy and comfortable together. Home is where your heart is, right? As long as you are together and comfortable. I can't imagine being a same sex couple living most places in the States never mind down south somewhere. Not sure where you are or why you're in that particular area but it sure sounds like you need to take another leap of faith and get on the move. Somewhere more liberal as mentioned above. Somewhere that your wife can do what she needs to do in order to be eligible to immigrate to Canada. The DUI thing is so extreme in my opinion but there's nothing we can do about it.

I live in the Cleveland area which is quite liberal. BUT I live in a tiny town. So for me it has been hard to adjust in my own way. Toronto to Small Town Ohio was hard but in a different way than what you are faced with. I'm a 40 year old white chick with a 40 year old white husband, 2 kids, 2 dogs and a house. We own our house and run our own business. BORING and not hard to make it work. But when I look around at the small town, where everyone knows everyone's business, I can't imagine being anything exceptional here and not being frustrated all the time. I'm not sure I'm wording it well but I think you know what I'm trying to say. I hope.

You and your wife sound like you're in a hard spot right now. I think your mindset of getting to a new place sounds good. I just wonder if you could find somewhere more liberal to live. Do what is needed for her to be able to go to Canada eventually, BUT stick around here so you can still get your citizenship in a couple years if that's what your plan was? Then you will have more freedom later in either direction, depending on your wants and needs at that time.

I wish you much luck and hope you can both find a place that fulfills your wants and desires!

USCIS - 40 DAYS
2012-10-30: FedEx delivered I-130 to Chicago Lockbox Mail Room
2012-11-01: NOA1 by email - MSC
2012-11-02: $420 (x3) debited from our account
2012-11-05: NOA1 hard copies received, Priority Date 2012-10-30
2012-12-11: NOA2


NVC - 26 DAYS
2013-01-02: Rec'd case#, IIN, BIN & OPTIN emails for EP sent
2013-01-03: Submitted DS-261 (x3)
2013-01-07: AOS bills invoiced and paid & OPTIN for EP accepted for each of us
2013-01-08: AOS bills appear as paid & AOS packages sent by email
2013-01-08: IV bill invoiced & paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV bill appears as paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (kids only)
2013-01-11: AOS received -notified by email
2013-01-11: IV bill invoiced & paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV bill appears as paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV Supporting Docs received for kids - notified by email
2013-01-14: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (me only)
2013-01-18: IV Supporting Docs received for me - notified by email
2013-01-18: Son#1 CASE COMPLETE - Son#2 checklist - saying $ on I-864 don't match tax return (but they do)-resubmitted
2013-01-23: AOS 2nd submission for Son #2 received - notified by email
2013-01-25: My CASE COMPLETE
2013-01-28: ALL 3 OF OUR CASES ARE NOW COMPLETE
2013-02-06: Packet 4 Received by email

MEDICAL ~ CONSULATE ~ POE REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS - 160 DAYS NATURALIZATION
2013-02-13: Medicals 2014-12-17: Delivered to California Lockbox 2015-12-15: Delivered to Phoenix Lockbox
2013-03-06: Interview 2014-12-19: 1 I-751 + 3 Biometrics Fees debited from our account 2015-12-16: Fees charged to Credit Card
2013-03-08: Visas in-hand 2014-12-22: Received NOA1 by mail. Receipt Date: 2014-12-17 2015-12-17: NOA
2013-03-12: Paid USCIS Immigrant Fee 2014-12-24: Received Biometrics Appointment Letter 2016-01-02: Biometrics Letter 2016-01-11: Biometrics
2013-03-14: POE 2015-01-06: Biometrics 2016-02-15: In Line for Interview 2016-02-19: Letter
2013-03-25: SSNs arrived 2015-05-27: Approved 2016-03-22: Interview
2013-04-01: Green Cards arrived 2015-06-03: New Green Cards arrived 2016-04-15: Oath Ceremony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...