Is there any way by which an American citizen can just live in Canada without a work or study permit? I am a freelance writer and submit all my work online to an American company. I would like to live in Canada temporarily (to be with my boyfriend, who is on a study permit there for one more year) but I keep getting mixed messages from immigration officials. I don't need to get a job in Canada because I am paid through the U.S. company to whom I submit my work. I want to live in Vancouver (close to the border) and have full medical insurance in the States so I can head back there if need be - I don't plan on being a 'drain' on the Canadian system in any way. Any ideas for me?

Admission as a temporary resident (visitor) would allow you an individual to remain in Canada temporarily without permission to work or study (in Canada). Assuming your work is for a foreign company with no Canadian location, telecommuting would generally be permitted.

Several immigration officials told me that without a work or study permit, I can 'visit' Canada for up to six months but I can't bring anything that would suggest I was 'living' there - i.e. They did say I could rent a room in Canada but I have to keep a residence established in the States and can't bring any furniture, bedding, kitchen items, etc. over the border. Is there any way that you know of that I can, in fact, temporarily live in Canada, rather than just making an extended visit with nothing but clothes?