Please, no more questions.

Well, I've finally found a legitimate reason to join the blogging world. Reason enough anyway.. I'm moving to Canada.

Everyone has questions and I only have a few of the answers. Basically, I'm sick of people asking about the immigration process. Yes, it is complicated and scary. Yes, I could be denied. Yes, I'm actually moving further north than I currently live.

So, rather than be asked these (and so many more) questions over and over again I am going to hopefully be able to direct people here for updates. *sorry, if you aren't close friends or family, I will not be making a point to let you how the process is going.

I am also hoping that this blog will serve as help to other couples that may be in a similar situation as my husband and I am. I am going to do my best to provide dates and timelines of the process as well as costs, various paperwork with links to find them online and the like.

Lets begin.

Why Canada and not the U.S.?
Originally, Nate and I were planning on living in the States. There are more places to live here, the cost of living is lower, I have a degree and am more likely to get a job in the States than Canada, it's warmer... So, we started the paperwork. We actually did it all. Every last bit. We even had an interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, B.C. Then Nate's boss offered him to buy into the company he works for, installing sprinkler systems. After a bit of thinking and discussing and realizing we didn't have much of a plan for once (if) he got into the U.S. we changed our minds. So, that's that.

Now what?
There are 2 options for immigrating to Canada. The first would be applying from outside of Canada. There are two parts to this process, the first being the approval of Nate sponsoring me to move. This involves making sure he isn't a serious criminal and that he can support me so I won't need to go on government assistant if I can't find a job. Currently, the processing of this part takes 60 days. The second part of the process is the assessment of me. Similar things: am I a felon? (no) Do I have any diseases that could harm Canadians and/or abuse their health care system? (no).. those sort of things. The website says that it is taking around 11 months to complete this part. So, it would be over a year before I could legally live in Canada.
Pros: Once in Canada I would be able to work and receive health care and all the benefits of being a Canadian. I could continue to work in the States while waiting for our paperwork to be processed. I can avoid Winnipeg winter.
Cons: Nate and I would have to go another year trading weekends driving to see each other (it's a 3.5 hour drive.) We would both be paying separate rent and cellphone bills.. electricity, internet/cable, groceries, gas.. etc. Nate and I would be married... living in different countries..... and have to drive 3.5 hours to see each other..

The second option for immigration is applying from within Canada. In this option I could visit Canada long term (Americans are allowed 6 months at a time) and start the paperwork there. This process takes about twice as long as option one.. I'm assuming the paperwork gets put on the back burner because we would at least be living together.
Pros: We could finally live together. We would save money on rent and gas, lots of gas.
Cons: The process takes twice as long and I won't be able to work until my application for an open work permit gets accepted, which could be up to a year. I could be denied the 6 month visit (and extentions) however, this isn't very likely.

After seeing the amount of time option one was going to take, we chose option two. Being apart from each other just isn't something we can do anymore. So, I am going to be an alien housewife.. I will spend my days cleaning, crafting, writing, cooking.. anything to keep myself busy. The plan right now is to enter Canada around November 1st. We will find an apartment and Nate will continue to work full-time to support the both of us. And that is all I know for now.. so please, enough with the questions.