New here- Question re: 6 mo visit and staying in US

Hi there,

Can I go to the US on a six month visit and apply for my green card/SSN from inside the US?

I was planning on going to the US to stay with my SO until he can get his paperwork done to move here, but I'm unsure how to go about it. He has an apartment and a good job and while he has offered to support me for as long as needed (I'm hoping this will be acceptable to the border guards for entry?), I'd like to be able to get a job. I am currently in the process of applying for the documentation needed to apply for a Green Card, so cannot apply when I enter the US. I was planning on going to the US on a six month visit (with about four days back in Canada for Christmas), then applying for my green card and social security number once I received my documents. However, I'm not entirely certain that "changing my mind" in regards to my stay in the country is an entirely acceptable thing to do, and I'd like to be sure it's acceptable before I make a mistake... I'd like to be able to go back and visit his family with him, after all.

Advice? I'm not entirely sure if it helps any to know this, but I am a member of Canada's First Nations. I have all of my border crossing documents in order, I'm just a little foggy on the details of possible ways to stay in the United States, work, and live while my SO works on getting what he needs done to immigrate to Canada.

Thank you.

You might have wanted to mention your fist nation status at the outset, that s the only reason you are allowed to self-petition your green card in the first place.

Since you don't even need the GC to live and work in US, I would not be too worried about immigrant intent, changing your mind, etc , Just your SSN. jay treaty entry into US is usually trouble-free, no?

Ha! Ah yes, of course, the day I decide to stop in and make a forum post (I've been lurking, off and on ), I find this:

http://www.ptla.org/wabanaki/border-cro ... ople#Cross Border

http://www.ptla.org/wabanaki/cross-bord ... jay-treaty

I knew about the Jay Treaty, but apparently I missed something along the way- I wasn't sure how exactly it would work and did not realise (or just plain forgot) I did not require a Green Card or a Visa. And all the information I've been finding regarding living and working in the US has stated that you either come in on a Visitor's Visa or apply for a Green Card.

Something is bothering me- it really can't be that simple, can it?

Yes, it is.