Moving to Vegas from Canada
Hey guys, just signed up to the board!
Do any of you have experience and/or knowledge concerning extended stays in the US?
My wife and I are considering buying a place for an extended stay in Vegas with our son starting sometime in the fall. We have already registered our son for preschool here in Winnipeg, so if we pull him out of that we'd like to be able to register him for full pre-school term in Vegas which typically runs from Sept - June, so 10 months.
I have been roaming the extensive information online. I know you can stay up to 6 months just as a tourist. I also know you can apply to extend your stay and the proper authorities just have to receive your application before your stay expires, then you're permitted to stay until the decision is made up to another 240 days (8 months) until a decision is made. This seems like a viable option because I'm sure if I apply for an extension it'll take at least a couple months to process. Meanwhile, we can stay in the US while waiting. It would just suck to be denied early and have to leave immediately. Is this all correct?
My wife is very interested in working part-time as a cocktail waitress or a pool server or something like that. However, there is no way she'll get a work visa for her to do that, is there?
What happens if you enter the US as a visitor/tourist and don't return for 10 months? What do they do at the border? Anything?
Also, if you return to Canada after a 6 month US visit, how soon can you re-enter for another 6 month US visit?
A lot of variables need to fall in place, but I'm pretty excited about trying to make this happen.
If anyone has any more info related to these questions or my situation in general I'd really appreciate it.
Do any of you have experience and/or knowledge concerning extended stays in the US?
My wife and I are considering buying a place for an extended stay in Vegas with our son starting sometime in the fall. We have already registered our son for preschool here in Winnipeg, so if we pull him out of that we'd like to be able to register him for full pre-school term in Vegas which typically runs from Sept - June, so 10 months.
I have been roaming the extensive information online. I know you can stay up to 6 months just as a tourist. I also know you can apply to extend your stay and the proper authorities just have to receive your application before your stay expires, then you're permitted to stay until the decision is made up to another 240 days (8 months) until a decision is made. This seems like a viable option because I'm sure if I apply for an extension it'll take at least a couple months to process. Meanwhile, we can stay in the US while waiting. It would just suck to be denied early and have to leave immediately. Is this all correct?
My wife is very interested in working part-time as a cocktail waitress or a pool server or something like that. However, there is no way she'll get a work visa for her to do that, is there?
What happens if you enter the US as a visitor/tourist and don't return for 10 months? What do they do at the border? Anything?
Also, if you return to Canada after a 6 month US visit, how soon can you re-enter for another 6 month US visit?
A lot of variables need to fall in place, but I'm pretty excited about trying to make this happen.
If anyone has any more info related to these questions or my situation in general I'd really appreciate it.
Comments
How about you look on the government websites for Visa info before you move your family to the US?
It is easy for a professional to get a TN work visa but you need a job prior to moving.
Sounds like a ridiculous plan without any research. The fact that you choose this site to pose all of these questions is so funny that I am going to stop ridiculing you now because if I continue I'll never be able to stop.
But seriously talk to an immigration lawyer. Cheaper than getting advice here and later find out it's wrong (usually as immigration does the full body cavity search)
Make sure that at the border on the way into the US that you state that you're planning on enrolling your child in a school once you find a job in Las Vegas. Make sure that you also tell them that your neighbour asked you to bring a package into the US for him but not to open it under any circumstances then tell them you're only kidding..... when they don't smile tell them your friends name is Mohammad. When they still don't laugh say " What?!?!?It's not like its a bomb or anything!" Then enjoy your trip to Las Vegas.
Oh and about your wife being a Cocktail waitress.....worthless without pics....(unless she wants to work at the flamingo in which case a pulse is required)
I'm not going there "looking for a job". I am a professional poker player and have been for 5 years, thus I don't believe it's that weird that I posted this question to fellow poker players.
My wife would like a job simply to change things up and meet new people while we're there (sorry, no pics coming). I am posting this to see if anyone has any tips or suggestions or experiences that would be relevant that I may not find on the government websites.
Pretty offensive replies (little funny I guess) for a serious question from a first time poster. This is PART of my research smartass, I just started looking into it. I'm not moving my family out there tomorrow. But hey, thanks for nothing. Evidently I should just stick to 2+2 where I actually received some serious advice.
If anyone has any serious experiences or tips to share, I'm all ears. If you'd like to just ridicule and waste your own time, that's fine too.
Where's Haddon?
1. The border dudes aren't there asking about your vacation because they are bored. When you show up with you family car packed to the gills and with a school age child, do you think they are going to believe your 'vacation'.
2. How do you plan on registering a kid for school without being a tax-paying resident? "Look Honey - the sign here says FREE SCHOOL FOR ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS"
3. How do you plan on opening a bank account? I guess you will just live on all the cash you make at the tables.
4. After the six months is up and you are living in the US illegally a) how well do you think the courts will perceive your profession as 'poker player'. Please, lets ask Kristy. b) What are you going to do if you get sick - you won't be able to get out-of-country health insurance in Canada for more than 6 months. Hint: it will be just like the FREE SCHOOL you are looking for.
5. After you are in the US for 6 months + 1 day, the IRS will be looking for you as a taxable citizen and gambling is not tax free in the US.
6. What will they do at the border? Well after your claim is denied and you are deported, good luck travelling to the US again.
Serious advice?
- While in the United States, the alien must remain in legal immigration status, while waiting for the visa to become available.
- Unauthorized employment or staying in the US with an expired visa, bars adjustment of status to permanent residence in the US.
Oops.The requirements of U.S. authorities for identification upon entering the United States have become much stricter. Travellers entering the U.S. by air or by sea are required to provide additional information, such as their address while in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. They may also be asked for evidence of residential, employment or educational ties to Canada; proof that the trip is for a legitimate purpose and is of a reasonable length; and for proof of financial support while in the country.
Seizure of Your Property
If you are caught trying to enter or being in the U.S.A. illegally, American Immigration Officials have the right to confiscate your vehicle and your personal property. You will have great difficulty trying to get them back. In most cases, confiscated vehicles and property are not returned. Proceeds from the sale of confiscated property belongs to the American Government.
Ouch.
Your comments are fair enough. It seems like the 6 months and applying for an extension at the end is the only viable option. But as to your points:
2. I am not looking for free school. This is pre-school for toddlers. It's basically beefed up daycare. I'm expecting to pay for it.
3. I could, but I've opened a US account in the past as a Canadian citizen. If that fails, which I don't think it will, the casinos will hold money in an account for me no problem.
Anyway, my post is being met with some pretty harsh criticism, and perhaps it is dumb in many aspects, but like I said, I've just started this process and wanted confirmation of some things (which I've obviously received) and was hoping someone in my exact situation had done it before.
Thanks for taking the time to post moose.
It's because your plan seems half-baked and you are a first time poster. Coming onto a poker forum for advice on how to emmigrate to the US is a little weird, no?
Edit #1: From my own experience of getting a TN-1 Visa (NAFTA Visa for Engineers), I had to do an interview where I had to prove both that I am not performing commodity services (web programming) and has sufficient ties in Canada that would ensure my return.
Really? I just went to the border every year with my contract and got a visa in 5 minutes.
registering your children into school there? i have no idea. possibly depends on specific state laws i would think, although most are probably the same.
opening a bank account? i would not think this is a difficult thing to do. i have two bank accounts in south korea, and one that i opened with no job and no work visa. (obviously the US might be different however, but as long as you have ID and a residence i don't think they will mind).
health insurance? not a problem. you can get canadian health insurance while you live abroad. you simply have to tell them ahead of time (like a month or so) before you leave and you'll still be covered (granted not "fully" covered, but decently enough from my experience).
irs hunting you down for taxes? declare yourself a non-resident. easy to do and then you don't have to pay canadian taxes while abroad. then you can just switch back when you come back to canada (this also spares you the expense of any built up income taxes on income you make abroad).
SIDE NOTE: there are some in this forum that cannot write a comment without it being a sarcastic insult. if you want to stay in this forum, you must learn who these are (easily identifiable from this single thread alone - doesn't that say something about you idiots? i guess you're too idiotic to notice that.)
that sounds way more difficult than it was for me to get a work visa. perhaps different for different occupations. however, i don't think this guy necessarily needs a work visa. he may be able to get around it.
But on a more serious note... To get a work visa (green card) to legally work in the US you need a "marketable skill", not so sure "professional" poker player qualifies. You would be there as a visitor with little hope of getting any further as Moose so aptly pointed out... And health insurance, especially with a family is mandatory...
Have a look here... Good luck..
Green Cards - Permanent Resident Card, US Green Card, Immigrant, INS, US Immigration
And a link that may be more applicable to your situation..
Temporary Visitor Home Page - US Nonimmigrant Visas, Nonimmigrant Visa, Temporary Visa, US Visas, US Visa
And as Moose alluded to, don't do anything to try and short circuit the process as you will likely disqualify yourself from even legally being able to visit (ie vacation) the US for life. I personally know 2 people who are in that situation....
Legally, I am not sure it is possible according to this site:
Mexican and Canadian NAFTA Professional Worker
Professional Poker Player or Gambler doesn't show up on the NAFTA list
Really though, I don't know enough about it, but it would probably be better going to a US embassy or Immigration specialist to get the proper info. If you don't want to tell them you are a poker player you could always just say you are a waiter or something else that isn't on the NAFTA list.
BTW, nice blog on Cardrunners.
Ya but they are far more entertaining and readable than some of the verbal diarrhea spewed about.
Requirements for Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas - CBP.gov
Yeah, I got the one border guard in the world who was an old FORTRAN programmer and was deeply interested in the latest and greatest.. so I had to dance around explaining the products I work with while re-enforcing non-programming and temporatality.
Theres still a huge demand for Fortan. I was telling the border guard he should totally go back into IT and make a killing.
Some people get enjoyment out of helping others. Not everyone may have the ability to quickly find stuff online, and since it takes me like 15 seconds to do, I would rather do that then take the time to write a reply about how he should help himself.
Not. You can return back to Canada every other day if you like but once you are over 6mo+3d, in a 36 month period the IRS will require you to file.
Substantial Presence Test
You will be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes if you meet the substantial presence test for the calendar year. To meet this test, you must be physically present in the United States on at least:
Opening a US bank account without a valid social security number or federal tax ID is illegal.
Ever since the Patriot act was brought in after 9/11. For some reason they seem to 'mind' potential terrorists opening accounts and funnelling funds into the US. Go figure.
Dude no company will insure you to stay in another country illegally. They are going to ask for your visa first.
Also if you are out of country for more than 212 days you will lose your OHIP coverage. With no provincial coverage you will not be able to obtain extended medical coverage from an insurer either.
Declaring yourself a non-resident of Canada is a good way to guarantee your application is not approved. Also it will do nothing to prevent the IRS from coming after you. You can't declare yourself non-resident of all countries and pay no tax anywhere. C'mon.
and many people write stuff that is completely erroneous...
uh...okay moose. well i did (most) of these things mentioned after the canadian government told me that they were the best way to do it. it's not like i just made this stuff up. and again, I ACTUALLY DID THESE THINGS when i was living abroad for three years. sorry if you disagree with me, but they are possible to do and they are legal.
i cannot argue that i know more about this subject than you do. all i know is what i was told (and advised to do) by multiple government workers/officials. perhaps you should try to explain to them that what they advised me to do is actually against their own policies (or laws apparently in your opinion).
Graham...thanks about the blog, cool hearing guys randomly mention they read it.
moose...a lot of good info. Thank you. However, I am not looking at doing anything blatantly illegal and risky. I guess some things I said in my original post eluded to that, but it's not really my intention, I was just babbling and excited about the prospect.
So, are you saying if I come to the border and claim I want to visit Vegas for 6 months with my family, vacation and play some cards, look at some real estate and investment options, etc, I may not be let in? I have numerous previous entries without ever having any problems.
Do what you want. Just don't be surprised when one day a) the IRS comes for it's money and b) The INS comes to deport you.
sorry again moose, but you are mistaken once again. when i was in south korea there were many people working "illegally" (i can clarify in more detail if you are actually interested) and the canadian government didn't care at all. they still helped me out.
may i ask how you can be so certain that i'm wrong in this regard? again, like i keep stated, i literally did these things (which government workers suggested i do), yet you so strongly think that i (or people) can't do them. it's very interesting.
The ignorance in this thread is astounding.
To the OP, noooooo, you misunderstood...you are a GREAT father and husband due to the level of vigilance exhibited in your planning. I have no hatred towards you, I'm just jealous of the superior intellect shown in numerous spots of your original post.
i made no reference to the US. i merely stated my own experiences and then was told that those were impossible because they were illegal. i then explained that they weren't according to the government workers whom i talked to. i never once said that all these things related directly to the US.
EDIT: i also don't think you know what ignorance means.