Living in America

Hi Everyone

I am new here. Seems like a pretty interesting forum. I am looking for some information regarding living in America. I know that Canadians are only allowed to stay in America for 6 months at a time. How long do you have to leave the states before you can return and do another 6 months. I would think as long as you show that you were actually out of the country, even for a few hours it would suffice. Does any one have any real up to date info on this? Thanks

Bob

Generally speaking if you're here for 6 months, you should also be home for 6 months, otherwise you might as well apply for some sort of immigrant benefit, rather than stay illegally.

Also, if you're out of Canada for longer than 6 months, technically you lose access to health care services.

Well I not a resident of Canada now anyways so there are no medical benefits,etc. My wife is a Turkish pharmacist and she wants to get licensed for Florida. We would be there a while, longer then 6 months for her to take courses to help prepare for the exams. What options would we be able to take advantage of regarding the immigrant benefits you mentioned? Once she has become licensed then it's not too difficult for her to get a visa so we're told.

Thanks for the assistance.really there isn't Shreddies in the states?

Bob

In order for her to take courses is she getting some sort of student visa? How will you be supporting yourselves if neither of you have jobs?

Nope, no Shreddies in the US.

Hello Reba

I am looking for true valid info, not guessing. I don't believe you can get a student visa just for a course, I believe it has to be at a University or some school similar to this. She has a visa for the states so she can come for a visit and study at the same time. Where can I actually learn about how long we would have to leave the states to allow us to start another 5 month visit? I think it's a little bit of a personnel question to ask about anothers financial situation. Finances won't be an issue.

Bob

You can get student entry for a course, it has to be a "full-time course of study". She would be F-1, you would be F-2. If it's going to be longer than six months that sounds like a pretty serious undertaking.

There is no visa (assuming you're Canadian citizens), she gets an I-20 from the school (which could be a problem if they don't have DHS approval), pays the SERVIS fee and you apply for F-1 and F-2 status at the POE.

USCIS can be a bit iffy about F-2 status for spouses, they may ask for proof of funds.

If you're looking for "true valid info" then try an immigration forum or immigration lawyer, not a travellers forum. As for fiancial questions, US CBPs are going to ask you how you'll support yourselves for an extended stay, so it is a valid question if you'd like us here to help with suggestions.

You're welcome.

Thanks Reba.I understand, maybe if you had of mentioned why you were interested in my financial situation I would not have responded the way I did, I seen it as nosey.once again sorry. We own a pharmacy plus have savings, more then enough to keep us afloat even if we never actually worked. What would be the best website to get the real info regarding my questions Reba?

Have you tried cinnamon life.it's great also, give it a try.

Bob

You can try the US Immgiration website

And the Department of State may also have some info on student visas.

I actually looked at the US Immigration website and could not find my answer, also I could not write anyone there to get the real answer.

Bob