Want to rent/ live in the US (not work) do I need a Visa?

Leonard
New Member



Joined: 14 Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Alberta

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:41 am

 

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Hello,

First time using this forum! I am looking to move to Seattle and rent an apartment there so that I will be able to see my GF a bit more. I will still work up in AB but just fly up and down. 2 weeks on 2 off! I have researched the forum and couldnt find an answer to my question. Do I need any sort of Visa or other paperwork done before I can rent something in the US? I wont spend more than 6 months out the year there. I am not sure what they would say if I showed up at the US border and had all my stuff with me saying I was renting an apartment but that I dont work in the US or have any paperwork with me! So any help is appreciated! Thanks!

leo

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1488
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:15 am

 

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If you show up with all your stuff to the border and say you're renting a home to be with your girlfriend they'll turn your arse around and send you right back to Canada. You can't just pick up and move to the US, even if the plan is to only be there 2 weeks at a time.

You may not even be able to find anyone to rent to you, as you won't have a US social security number, or a US bank account and and and.

If the plan is to live with your girlfriend, perhaps you should look into permanent immigration via a fiance visa or spouse visa. Info on either of those can be found at http://www.visajourney.com You can't do the back and forth with a fiance visa however, so if your intent is to keep your job in Canada indefinitely, you'd probably be better to look at the CR1 spouse visa. Either of them will take 10 months to a year to process, and you'd have to wait out that time in Canada.
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Leonard
New Member



Joined: 14 Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Alberta

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:32 am

 

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Yeah I will be looking at a K1 visa here within a short while! I am just wanting to bridge the gap for the time being! How do all these canadian "snowbirds" manage to own a house or rent a place and live in the US half the year? Or I could get my GF to rent a place for me.

Thanks!

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1488
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:17 am

 

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They're snowbirds, retirement age, well settled, and not going to live with their girlfriends for half a year.
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Are you in the US or Canada? Want to make some extra money? Check out My Watkins website for some awesom products and business opportunity.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:59 am

 

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Legally you can do it, but it's a bit dicey because you're coming and going and the reason you're doing it is to pursue a relationship with a US citizen. This sets off alarm bells with USCIS.

Snowbirds stay continuously for six months and they're usually quite aged so USCIS trust them a bit more because clearly they have residential ties to Canada and clearly they're unlikely to be working.

If you're really set on doing it, make absolutely sure you have lots of proof you live in Canada and plan to carry on living there. A "to whom it may concern" letter from your employer, utility bills, etc.

Sooner or later you will run into a USCIS person who is in a bad mood. The main key here is to be honest about it, I think. Because if you enter that much they will start to recognize you and get suspicious.
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Steve.

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