SapphireDreams

Congratulations on the job and the big move! I'm really happy for you and wish you the best of luck.
I hope things move quickly for your husband and that his move and transition go smoothly.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss Toronto. It has so much to offer and it'll be so exciting to get back there and take advantage!
Take care!

No plans to go back for us.
Living in NYC is expensive, but worth every penny. The income potential, culture, opportunity and milder weather is amazing. I look forward to raising my kids here (or in the suburbs).

I think you really just need a tourist visa.
You're putting the cart wayyyyyyyyy before the horse here.
As an adult, you probably realize that spending time in person with someone is much much different then spending time on a webcam/phone/online. I'm sorry, but it is. That's not to say you don't have true love, I'm not here to judge. But, I truly think you need to go meet him first, if not multiple times, and let the relationship play its course to marriage.
I dated my husband for SIX YEARS long distance before I moved here on the K1. I did exactly what you did, looked at what my visa options where, and ultimately, it came down to being patient, spending more time together in person, and then letting the relationship naturally progress towards marriage. I was 19 when we started dating, and going to school, I had no money, but I made it work. And then, when I knew I wanted to move and be with him, I started my career back home and saved thousands of dollars, so that when I did move, I wouldn't have to worry about my finances.
You have stated multiple times that finances are an issue, hence the working visa, but you need to consider visiting for now, working and saving lots of money (which is obviously hard when you're also trying to travel and visit each other, but it's not impossible.
We all know what it's like to be desperately in love and wanting to be with that person. You're no different from probably almost everyone here. You say you're thinking about the right now, but you're not! You should be focusing on meeting, not how to spend the rest of your lives together. Try to step outside your situation and look in. Unfortunately falling in love with someone in another country is not an instantly gratifying thing. The relationships take longer to develop and immigration also add time to being together. All things you seem smart enough to realize, yet you still seem so out of touch with reality.
Focus on the right now, which is meeting each other for the first time, getting to know each other IN PERSON and then maybe move on to your second visit, maybe even a third visit before you start talking about packing up and leaving everything you know for someone you haven't even met.

$3,000/year for both of you is very reasonable for healthcare here in the US.
The cost is usually subsidized by the employer, usually by about 75%, so if you were to pay on your own, you are going to pay a lot more for a lot less.
And, to be honest, you're not paying for anything "extra". You don't pay for maternity benefits, they are included as part of your comprehensive coverage.
What you might want to look into is coverage with a high deductible. So, usually there are two options from employers - one that is a higher cost per month, that has either no deductibles and a co-pay or a lower monthly cost option that carries a higher deductible.
So for example, with the high deductible plan, you pay something like $80/month but then you would pay for any services usually up to $1000. Once you've paid up tto $1000, then the insurance company pays for the rest of the treatments at 100%
With a higher monthly amount, you don't ever pay for services, you just pay the $20 (or whatever it is) co-pay. Sometimes the services are covered at say 90% so you pay the balance.
Some employers offer much better benefits than others. Some employers onyl subsidize their employee's coverage and then charge full price for the family option. It really depends.
But honestly we pay around the same as you (pretax also, keep that in mind) and I find it extremely reasonble. It's a fact of life here.

It would be Calgary International Airport.
I used Pearson International Airport and had no issues. They know we are pre-cleared.

If you have plans to live in Canada long term, I'd probably just give up the green card and then just reapply for a IR-1 when you want to move back to the US.
But, if your plans to work in Canada are short term (2 years or less) then apply for the re-entry permit.
You're walking a fine line using it to cross into the US to basically visit. Your lucky they haven't taken it away from you yet. All it'll take one border agent to decide you are abusing it. Or, once you pass the six month mark and they see you haven't moved yet, they'll probably take it from you.

I would also encourage you to seek more senior help with this. Escalate as high as you can. Even if you do end up paying out of pocket, they need to know they are wrong!
Also - I would almost be inclined to threaten with a lawyer (even if you don't really have one) especially since the documentation is there. I'd probably do it diplomatically of course, but it's funny how quickly people react to things like that here in the US.
I know you said it would be tight to pay for it out of pocket, but honestly, as someone who is stuck paying back student loans, I WISH I had just scraped for the money and paid for it back then so I'm not stuck paying it back now. Sure, life was easier with the student loans, but I wish I had sacrificed more back then. So, maybe it'll all work out in the end

You will most definitely get a letter in the mail confirmed if you've been approved and for how many weeks you qualified for. I remember it taking a good 3 weeks or so. With the holidays now, I'd probably expect a slight delay too.
Once you get that, you'll also start getting the cards in the mail that you can fill out and send back. I filled them out and then sent them back as I got them. They then sent me another letter telling me that they needed proof of working status in the US (a copy of the EAD) and once they got that, I'd start getting payments.
I never made it to payments. I actually started job hunting before my EAD and had an offer the day I get my EAD.
If your finding the mail is delayed, definitely call them. You will get mail for every step of the way though, just takes extra time. They are quite helpful on the phone though if you're the type that prefers to get an answer immediately! I was in no rush to hear from them, so I just waited for the letters and they all came in due time.

I had a large dress and I carried it on. I asked if I could get on the plane first to find a spot for it and they were very nice about it!
They had no issues with it being bigger than the check in size.
Maybe call the airline and ask what they recommend.

You can move back, to Canada, no questions asked.
You should be able to visit too in the the future. You would just need to file for a CR-1/IR-1 if you ever wanted to move back, which might be you'd be separated for a bit until it got worked out. Which, wouldn't be the end of the world.
There wouldn't be any penalties.

Actually time are a changin' there is now an AP/EAD all-in-one card that everyone gets now. Time to update your brain files

I would call each individual car rental company and ask. I have a feeling though that by the time you pay for the car, insurance and gas, you might as well just ship your stuff and fly or get some large luggage and pay extra for extra checked baggage.
I priced it out a few years ago from Toronto-New York City and it wasn't worth it, it was cheaper for me to fly and buy a couple of giant duffel bags in Chinatown in TO and just pay extra to check them on my flight.
The POE by airport is fine, just need to give yourself enough time, which isn't that hard to do.

You likely will not be able to fly back. The airlines have rules on that, not sure what they are but if you plan to fly, I'd call the airlines and understand their process.
If you're driving, I don't think you'll have any issues with being pregnant.
I would look into healthcare though, your OHIP is likely no longer available to you, so you might be required to pay Ontario for whatever healthcare you receive. Unless your insurance covers you, which I'd look into.
Personally, I don't think I'd go, especially if it was my first and I had no idea if I was the type to go into early labour. Too risky.

You likely will not be able to fly back. The airlines have rules on that, not sure what they are but if you plan to fly, I'd call the airlines and understand their process.
If you're driving, I don't think you'll have any issues with being pregnant.
I would look into healthcare though, your OHIP is likely no longer available to you, so you might be required to pay Ontario for whatever healthcare you receive. Unless your insurance covers you, which I'd look into.
Personally, I don't think I'd go, especially if it was my first and I had no idea if I was the type to go into early labour. Too risky.

You likely will not be able to fly back. The airlines have rules on that, not sure what they are but if you plan to fly, I'd call the airlines and understand their process.
If you're driving, I don't think you'll have any issues with being pregnant.
I would look into healthcare though, your OHIP is likely no longer available to you, so you might be required to pay Ontario for whatever healthcare you receive. Unless your insurance covers you, which I'd look into.
Personally, I don't think I'd go, especially if it was my first and I had no idea if I was the type to go into early labour. Too risky.

First off, do you qualify for a TN Visa? Do you have the proper skills and education required? Do you have any work experience that correlates? You'll have a very difficult time getting a TN Visa unless you have a mix of skills, experience and education AND can find a job in your field willing to hire you on the TN Visa. My husband is an HR person at a hospital and they don't even sponsor Doctors and Nurses anymore, a skill set that's always been in demand. The economy is very different from Canada. But, if you qualify and have a job waiting for you, then by all means, can't hurt to attempt crossing and getting a TN visa.
That being said, I feel you I really do. I was in the same position and wanted to live with my then boyfriend before we made the commitment of marriage and unfortunately it's very very difficult, if not pretty much impossible in the US. If visiting for months at a time and not working is not an option (wasn't an option for me either) and him moving to Canada is no an option, then I would suggest you plan to stay in Canada, get a job and some work experience when you graduate and then date long distance for a little while longer. It sucks to be apart but there are a lot of pros to this situation. You can save money, get some work experience before jumping right into the US economy, and you can still get to know each other better.
I dated my husband long distance for SIX years before I moved to the US on a K1 visa. We started dating when we were in undergrad, and of course I wanted to move to the US right after I graduated and be with him. BUT, I followed my head and not my heart... I went to grad school for another year AND then got a good job in Toronto and worked there for two years.
When I finally moved, waiting was definitely the best decision I ever made. I had an easy time finding a job because I had experience and wasn't entry-level anymore. And, my then boyfriend and I were much more financially stable.
Good luck with whatever you decide but know that your options are pretty much limited to marriage in order to immigrate to the US.

First off, do you qualify for a TN Visa? Do you have the proper skills and education required? Do you have any work experience that correlates? You'll have a very difficult time getting a TN Visa unless you have a mix of skills, experience and education AND can find a job in your field willing to hire you on the TN Visa. My husband is an HR person at a hospital and they don't even sponsor Doctors and Nurses anymore, a skill set that's always been in demand. The economy is very different from Canada. But, if you qualify and have a job waiting for you, then by all means, can't hurt to attempt crossing and getting a TN visa.
That being said, I feel you I really do. I was in the same position and wanted to live with my then boyfriend before we made the commitment of marriage and unfortunately it's very very difficult, if not pretty much impossible in the US. If visiting for months at a time and not working is not an option (wasn't an option for me either) and him moving to Canada is no an option, then I would suggest you plan to stay in Canada, get a job and some work experience when you graduate and then date long distance for a little while longer. It sucks to be apart but there are a lot of pros to this situation. You can save money, get some work experience before jumping right into the US economy, and you can still get to know each other better.
I dated my husband long distance for SIX years before I moved to the US on a K1 visa. We started dating when we were in undergrad, and of course I wanted to move to the US right after I graduated and be with him. BUT, I followed my head and not my heart... I went to grad school for another year AND then got a good job in Toronto and worked there for two years.
When I finally moved, waiting was definitely the best decision I ever made. I had an easy time finding a job because I had experience and wasn't entry-level anymore. And, my then boyfriend and I were much more financially stable.
Good luck with whatever you decide but know that your options are pretty much limited to marriage in order to immigrate to the US.

First off, do you qualify for a TN Visa? Do you have the proper skills and education required? Do you have any work experience that correlates? You'll have a very difficult time getting a TN Visa unless you have a mix of skills, experience and education AND can find a job in your field willing to hire you on the TN Visa. My husband is an HR person at a hospital and they don't even sponsor Doctors and Nurses anymore, a skill set that's always been in demand. The economy is very different from Canada. But, if you qualify and have a job waiting for you, then by all means, can't hurt to attempt crossing and getting a TN visa.
That being said, I feel you I really do. I was in the same position and wanted to live with my then boyfriend before we made the commitment of marriage and unfortunately it's very very difficult, if not pretty much impossible in the US. If visiting for months at a time and not working is not an option (wasn't an option for me either) and him moving to Canada is no an option, then I would suggest you plan to stay in Canada, get a job and some work experience when you graduate and then date long distance for a little while longer. It sucks to be apart but there are a lot of pros to this situation. You can save money, get some work experience before jumping right into the US economy, and you can still get to know each other better.
I dated my husband long distance for SIX years before I moved to the US on a K1 visa. We started dating when we were in undergrad, and of course I wanted to move to the US right after I graduated and be with him. BUT, I followed my head and not my heart... I went to grad school for another year AND then got a good job in Toronto and worked there for two years.
When I finally moved, waiting was definitely the best decision I ever made. I had an easy time finding a job because I had experience and wasn't entry-level anymore. And, my then boyfriend and I were much more financially stable.
Good luck with whatever you decide but know that your options are pretty much limited to marriage in order to immigrate to the US.

The only way you would skip ROC is if you did an IR-1 visa, which means you were already married for 2 years when you filed and received a 10 year greencard upon entry.

Wow! She was just trying to be helpful. Udella is one of the most sincere and helpful members of this board so your comment is really uncalled for. If you had posted your own thread, you would've probably received more answers, that's all she's trying to say.
Pocheros - congrats on the move! I just got back from North Las Vegas. My in-laws have a house there (they plan to retire there) so we go at least once a year, I'm sure we'll go more eventually too once we have kids and they live there for good. My husband and I really like it there! If it wasn't for our jobs in NYC, I could totally see us moving there as well. We went on a hike at Mt. Charleston and totally recommend it if you haven't been! Even just to get away from the heat (it was 70 degrees in the mountains, vs. 100 degrees back at the house!). I'm also from Mississauga, and see you're from Brampton Small world! Compared to NYC, the grocery stores in Vegas are much better haha! The produce is soooo much cheaper in Vegas compared to NYC. My husband and I were sooo jealous of how cheap the avocados were, LOL. You might want to check out the filipino grocery store, Seafood City for rice and other things. I haven't been in awhile, but you might find some things you're looking for. I miss No Frills too. And, the Bulk Barn.

Wow! She was just trying to be helpful. Udella is one of the most sincere and helpful members of this board so your comment is really uncalled for. If you had posted your own thread, you would've probably received more answers, that's all she's trying to say.
Pocheros - congrats on the move! I just got back from North Las Vegas. My in-laws have a house there (they plan to retire there) so we go at least once a year, I'm sure we'll go more eventually too once we have kids and they live there for good. My husband and I really like it there! If it wasn't for our jobs in NYC, I could totally see us moving there as well. We went on a hike at Mt. Charleston and totally recommend it if you haven't been! Even just to get away from the heat (it was 70 degrees in the mountains, vs. 100 degrees back at the house!). I'm also from Mississauga, and see you're from Brampton Small world! Compared to NYC, the grocery stores in Vegas are much better haha! The produce is soooo much cheaper in Vegas compared to NYC. My husband and I were sooo jealous of how cheap the avocados were, LOL. You might want to check out the filipino grocery store, Seafood City for rice and other things. I haven't been in awhile, but you might find some things you're looking for. I miss No Frills too. And, the Bulk Barn.

If you get an RFE for the I-693, you can call around to various civil surgeons in your area to see if they'll fill out JUST the I-693 form and not require you to do an entire medical over again. Sometimes you have to really call around, but many people have done it successfully.

After succesfully avoiding the flu shot my entire life, last year I got the flu and it warped into Pneumonia, and it was absolutely terrible and I will now be getting the flu shot every year for the rest of my life. I'll be first in line, haha.
Also - you might be able to avoid it for your interview, but when it comes time to do your AOS and your shots are incomplete on the worksheet, you might get an RFE to do the I-693, so might be worth just getting it now to save yourself the time and money of the RFE.

From the information you provided, it doesn't sound like you qualify for any work visas unfortunately. Neither did I, so we ended up dating long distance for a long time until we were ready to file for a K1. In the end we dated long distance for 5 years, filed for the K1, waited out the 10 months process and then I moved here, after 6 years being apart.
Travelling back and forth to visit will be difficult, especially if you are going for long periods of time and also now that you've been denied. You can try to visit again, but you'll likely be asked to show strong ties to Canada, proving that you LIVE in Canada and are just visiting.
I never had a problem visiting back and forth and think it was because I had a good full time job in Toronto and I only went for long weekends or for 1 week tops and also had a return ticket. I think that having a full time 9-5 job, made all the difference. They asked me what I did for a living a lot, where I worked etc.
If you're not willing to live apart, then you need to consider marriage. If you're not ready for marriage, well then you just have to be patient. You may also consider going to live in another neutral country together until you're ready to marry and immigrate (like go teach english in South Korea, for example).

You would get married and then adjust her status (what people refer to as AOS).
The name thing will not matter. That's a common filipino/spanish name so they'll do name checks and all that, but nothing to worry about!