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Xavier_11
New Member



Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:16 pm

 

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So Im a canadian with a canadian girlfriend (been living together for 2 years) I work for a resort company that is based out of Toronto. I will have the opportunity to go down to the US next November to work at one of the properties. I won't have an issue with my visa as the employer will help me acquire it. What about my girlfriend is she allowed to come with and for how long? Can she work or does she need her own visa to do so? Im sure many have dealt with this same problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Xavier_11
New Member



Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:25 pm

 

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Let me add that it will be only for 6 months as I will be returning back to Alberta the following May.

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Kaytee
New Member



Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Ontario

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:47 pm

 

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It really depends on if your girlfriend has any post secondary education and what field it's in and such. There is the possibility that she could apply for a J-1 Visa in her work field. If you do some research online you should be able to find some more information. It can take a few months to obtain as mine did back when I worked in Orlando in 2005.however mine was more specific as it was a Summer Work and Travel Visa for 4 months during my college co-op.but there is a J-1 visa that you can apply for that's good for up to 18 months depending on how long you apply for. See if that may be an option for her, otherwise I'm not sure what other options/if any there are.
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Kaytee
Missing Orlando, Florida
Canadian Beach Bum Since '85

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Kaytee
New Member



Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Ontario

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:49 pm

 

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P.S. I obtained My Visa from Swap. I think the website is swap. ca or swap. com sorry it has been awhile since I have been to that site but they were really good at helping out with everything.
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Kaytee
Missing Orlando, Florida
Canadian Beach Bum Since '85

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1662
Location: Calgary

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:33 pm

 

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Depending on what immigration category you're in, there is usually a dependent category although you need to be in a fairly close relationship for that to apply, e.g. if you go in as F-1 they can go in as F-2, or if you go in as TN-1 they go in as TD-1 however they cannot work, although in some categories they can get limited employment authorisation.

If she can get her own visa like a J-1 that would probably be a better idea, assuming she qualifies.
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Steve.

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1495
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:59 am

 

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derivative visas are only for immediate family (ie: spouses and children) not for non-married partners. US federal and immigration law does not recognise common-law relationships.
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READ ME FIRST!! Immigration Information for Canadians who want to move to the US for any reason.

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