How long can I really stay in the US?

I have a boyfriend in Virginia and we've been dating for 4 years now. As I'm no longer in school, I wish to be with him as much as possible. I know I can stay for up to 6 months, but within a calendar year, or during that visit? I've been in the states since August. Do I have to leave in February, or can I stay till June?

If I have to go back in February, when can I re-enter the US? Do I have to wait a month, another 6 months, or what?

Lastly, is there any other way I can marry my boyfriend? He's a full time student and doesn't make the required amount to sponsor me. No one else wishes to sponsor us. Is there some way we can get around it or no?

Thanks for all your input!

First, you absolutely have to have a home in canada, all the time you are in US, and need to carry proof of it when you cross the border.

Second, you can legally return to US the next day after you leave, for a period of upto another six months, IF IF IF the admiting officer allows you to. The problem is that once you've stayed in US for such a long period of time as six months, and appear to have little that ties you to canada (no job, school, etc), they will pretty much know why you are coming, and deny you entry because you are an obvious risk to over stay -- "Do I have to leave in February, or can I stay till June?" was how you put it -- telling you to apply for a fiancee visa from canada, and wait there until you get it.

As to marrying without his ability to sponsor you, with no one else to sponsor you.... well, what would mommy tell you. You are on the slippery path to be denied entry into US very soon, unless he gets a job and marries you.

Your case is sadly typical of many we read here.

Thanks for your reply...

Well, I am down here right now for 5 months, and so far he is able to support me and all. He has 2 part time jobs, but it still won't come out to be 125% above poverty line. But those are the rules I guess, I don't have to like them.

So, about traveling back to the States the day after I left, how easy is it to get past POE? Like, what would happen in my case is that I'd fly back to Canada at the end of January. I would then stay there until mid March. Would driving over be easier? Could I just say I'm intending on staying for 2 weeks, and just stay for the legal 6 months?

If they ask me when I was last down there, can I say January, but could I lie and say I was only down there for a month? How easy is it for them to check?

I don't want to get caught, but I don't want to do anything illegal either. I think it's so stupid that we have an imaginary border to separate us from marrying each other.

Please answer back soon I appreciate all your help.

but could I lie and say I was only down there for a month

By having suggested this, I'm not going to continue any dialogue with you.

"If they ask me when I was last down there, can I say January, but could I lie and say I was only down there for a month? How easy is it for them to check?"

I am not entirely sure what you mean here, but if you are referring to coming back to the US in March and at that time they ask you when you were last here they will know that you arrived in initially in August as that is when you passed through US customs and immigration.

Lying is the worst thing you can do and if you are caught it will not do you any favours. It is that type of behaviour that causes border patrol to be extra diligent. In turn it makes it a lot harder for those who are genuinely truthful about their visits.

Lie all you want, it is extremely easy for them to BAN you, and I mean real easy!! Then the real hassles begin!!!

To Agnelson,

What else am I suppose to do? I am on this website trying to find answers because I do not have them. I wanted to know if it is possible. I am not meaning to offend, but have you ever had a love one living far from you? It is so hard, that you are willing to do anything.

If I could be an illegal immigrant, I would! But there are so many things that could happen, it's not worth it. I am looking for people, like yourself, that know the answers to my questions.

Please, you don't have to help me anymore, but you don't have to be so ignorant. I am just trying to find help, that is all.

- Amy-Rose

I reposted this PM that was sent to me to show the kind of person we are dealing with.

No help from this corner will be forthcoming. And I'm far from ignorant and very comfortbale with my stand.

I am sorry that you feel that way Agnelson. I truly am. I do not see how I am wrong to have wondered about lying. I am trying to get all sides to a story, all my options. It does not mean that I would have done it. I was only wondering what the consequences were, how easy it was to get caught, etc. I did not know that they would know when I entered, that was another question I was going to ask. I am completely clueless when it comes to this kind of thing.

To everyone else who is reading this,
Please, I am only wondering what my best option is to be with my boyfriend. Yes, we are technically fiance(e)s, but he doesn't make enough money as of yet to sponsor me (he's a full time student). Though I am ready for marriage, I am willing to wait until he gets done with school. In the mean time, I am just wanting to see him as often as I can. Is it wrong of me to have wondered what my options were? An option is to break up with him, I am open to that. But to just criticize that I was contemplating lying, I think it's childish. I did NOT know that they knew when I entered last, or I would not have asked such a question.

If anyone who is willing to help, and not pollute my forum, has gone through this, or has any ideas, please, I am requesting your help.

P.S Agnelson: By posting the private message I sent you, does that make you feel better? I do not see what was wrong with the PM I sent you, so your remark of "the kind of person we're dealing with" doesn't make sense to me. Nothing in that PM was wrong I believe. And yes, if you are not going to be helpful and just criticize, that is being ignorant. So believe what you want, but you are just plain rude, ignorant and disgusting.

P.P.S Thank you everyone else who is trying to help. I really do appreciate it. It is sad that Agnelson has never been in love </3

This post has dwindled into childish insults that do not seem to reflect the purpose of this message board. The advice that has been offered is succinct and correct - I suspect you simply haven't received the answers you wanted to hear regarding your situation.

I'm with agnelson on this one and as a result am bowing out from any other contributions to this post.

Good on you cmottawa, sorry that your early forays into this forum was met with such vitriol. Don't let it bother you; your analysis of the situation was spot on.