Hi all,.. I came across this site while looking for some answers, and hope I can find them as many others have it seems!

I am a Canadian citizen (born & raised) and my fiancee is American, though currently working in Toronto with a permit under NAFTA. Her permit expires in June 2006, and we are set to be married July 2, 2006.

Our issues at this point are as follows:

1. What should her next course of action be with regards to permanent residence? Will us getting married create any benefits for her case, or more trouble? As noted, her current 1 year permit expires a few weeks before our wedding date.

2. She is also considering leaving her current employer, as she has recieved other (temporary) ofers from other employers in Toronto. To my understanding, if she goes back to the US and re-does her application for a work permit at the border, she'd likely be granted another 1 year permit, for a different employer, thereby succeeding her current permit. This would put her still under a temp permit when we get married, although I'm not sure how that could/would help anything?

Thanks in advance,

- ap

From the information provided, it appears that you have two options:

1. She may apply for permanent resident status as a Skilled Worker. If she was eligible for a work permit under the provisions of NAFTA, there is a good likelihood that she would be eligible in this category.

2. She could apply in the Family Class once you can demonstrate 12 months of cohabitation, or once you are married. Such an application can be processed inland or via a visa office in the USA in this case.

As far as beginning work for a new employer, this can be handled via a new application at a Canadian port of entry, or via an inland chance of terms application, although the latter would require considerable more time. At a minimum, this would allow you more time in which to marry or demonstrate cohabitation if the Family Class route is the preferred option.