help me! I am canadian in america visiting and want to get m

canadapj
New Member



Joined: 31 May 2007
Posts: 1
Location: las vegas

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 6:20 am

 

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Hi, last summer I visited Las Vegas for 2 months on vacation. When I was there I met a girl that lived there, we dated a little bit while i was there, and then I came back to Canada. During the last year or so we have talked alot online.

I am now in Las Vegas again, as I try to come here every summer. its my 3rd summer in a row here now, i have been here for a month and half. Anyway i started dating my female friend again, and now it has actualy become quite serious, and we are engaged to get married.

So my question is can we get married in the states and I can apply to stay here this way? Or must I go back to Canada and not be allowed to get married and apply to stay in USA until i go back to Canada? We are both very confused about this, when I went on vacation last month it was not part of the plan to get married. i just wanted to go on vacation and hang out with my friend a little bit of course. But we realize we are in love, and need to know what we have to do? Can I stay in the US and apply from here if we get married here?

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BermudaBum
Moderator


Beachin' in UK?

Joined: 22 Apr 2006
Posts: 85
Location: London

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 7:57 am

 

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Hey there,

A friend of mine went through this scenario.
Apparently immigration said (wink, wink) that if you have a shotgun wedding (unannounced) you're cool to stay.
If you have a long engagement and set a date for the wedding, you will have to leave the country prior.

Good luck,
W.

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flames9
Senior Member



Joined: 08 Mar 2007
Posts: 111
Location: Falls Church VA

Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:36 pm

 

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I'm no lawyer, but from my understanding that if you come into the USA with NO intention of staying, then do get married, you can Adjust of status (AOS) In fact prior to gettin gmarried and on a trip to see my then girlfriend (now wife) we had a free consult with an immigration attorney, and she told us to do exactly that--get married, and for me to stay and AOS. Wasn't a possibilty for us, as I was in the Cdn Armed Forces at the time. If you do go that route, DON't leave the USA (including to Canada) until ur AOS is complete. Not sure if u can get Advance Parole) by going this route. So this means if a family member dies, u better not go as u may be denied entry in the USA!

What we did was we got married (courthouse with a JP) then I returned to Canada and started the cr-1 visa journey! I stil came down to DC every month as a visitor and never had a problem with USA immigrartion, and yes some Cdns do get denied entry!

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1306
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:00 am

 

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Yep, flames is right. You can stay and adjust status, but don't leave until you've got your green card in your hot little hand. This could take a looooooooooooong time, depending on how backlogged they are. I've known of people stuck in the US for 2 years or more, unable to leave because their application is stuck in limbo somewhere.

Nevada may be faster than that.

If you think you can manage that, and live without all your stuff for that long (can't even ship it down, you're not a legal resident as yet, so would have to pay duty and taxes I think) go for it. And congratulations
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