proof of ties for F1 status

I'm accepted to a grad program in the US starting Sept 2010.

I am Canadian, rent a student room near my university in Ontario while my parents reside abroad (outside of North America). The closest family I have are cousins in Ontario and the US.

I am an unemployed graduate of a Canadian university & financially dependent on my parents. My current student rental lease ends in April. I do have a Canadian bank account and receive mail.

I plan to spend April-August traveling: spending April in the US, May & June outside of North America, return to Canada in early July, spend a couple of days in ON and then 1.5 months in the US before starting school in MN.

I know I can only apply for the F1 status 30 days before the start of classes, so I'll have to make a trip over the border in early Aug to re-enter the US under F1 status.

Since I will be out of Ontario for an extended period, how can I provide proof of ties to Canada? Could I be denied the F1 status entry or be banned from entry for suspicion of immigration intent (even though I have none)?

Thanks

For F1 you do need to amintain foreign residence -- at least nominally. You must have "someone" that can take you in?

I do have cousins in Ontario and their address will be listed as my permanent Canadian address, if asked. But I don't really have any proof in the form of a lease or such as they are family.I'm not sure if that will be enough to prove my ties.

However, I'm confused as to how a student should prove ties to Canada. Clearly I will be staying in the US for the duration of my study (5 years) and I will be supported by my family living abroad. I can't possibly have a valid rental lease/mortgage in my name in Canada or employment.

Would it seem suspicious if I stayed with family in the US as a visitor in July, then return to Ontario for a weekend in August, so as to re-enter the US with F1 status?

I want to possibly get my driver's license in the US in July as it is a lot faster than Ontario's graduated licensing (I'll mainly be driving in the US only while studying anyway).

Any loop-holes?

You, students -- even US students -- are not considered residents where they move to go to school -- so a DL will be a problem, even putting aside the cross-border aspect.

Do you have a legal right to live where your parents live? That would be an option.

But, in general, at the border they will be looking more for a "committment" from you (even if its just verbal) tha tyou will be returning to Canada when you finish your F1 status.As to what you do in August, you will in any event HAVE to leave US, in order to get F1. So you had best be driving to the border in a Cdn car with a Cdn DL.


All the best.

I don't have legal residency where my parents are employed, but I can obtain a visitor visa whenever I land and extend my visits.

However my parents own property in the country of my birth, I have extended family and I can establish domicile there. So would that work even if it is not Canada?

-- Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:39 pm --

BTW thanks so much for all the advice!