From Seattle to Ottawa

by Pat
(Seattle)

Hello Sharon,
Lovely site you have built!

I'm doing a "relatively" simple, (yet complex to me, since it's my first time) move from the US to Canada to be with the love of my life. I've learned that we can fall in love again at age 50! And it can be far better than ever before. We've done long distance for months now, with him unable to get a Vancouver or Seattle job, and are more than ready to live together.

We spoke with an immigr attny a couple of weeks ago,yet I'm still feeling a bit nervous about my initial move.

Things we already know:
I can go into Canada for a 6 mo stay as a visitor.
I'll not be sending any furniture, only the clothes and toiletries that will fit in my car.
My sweetie is planning to fly to Seattle and drive across the country with me.
I don't fit into any of their "skilled worker" categories.
My sweetheart's divorce is not yet final, so we cannot get married until spring.
He'd like to put me through school in Ottawa, to find something more recession-proof, but we haven't found it yet.
I need to prove that I have ties in WA and will return after 6 months.
We need to prove that he can afford to support me for 6 months.
It's up to the individual border officer whether I get in or not.
We've put together a packet: my active WA state real estate license, my deeds to the WA state properties I own, a letter from my broker saying I'm planning a stay w/my bf for 6 months in Canada but will be expected back. A letter from my sis saying I have a room in her house when I get back. Our retirement fund statements. His last yrs' tax records (he's self employed) showing we have sufficient income and savings.

We're planning to drive across the northern US visiting friends along the way from 2/26 - 3/3, and want to cross the border in Sarnia, ON.

We've had friends advise us to lie... say you're only going in for a weekend or 1 month stay. Since I want to eventually apply for a student permit, and we want to eventually marry and apply for permanent residency, I'm not willing to risk any of that.

Do you think we will have sufficient documentation for the border officer for them to let us cross the border together? We understand "duel intent" can make things problematic. Trying to guarantee entrance as much as possible with as much good info as possible before we close my life down here and start driving!

Thank you so much for your expertise,
Pat