# How Can I help Illegal Alien Friend in Canada? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 11, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339 "2006-05-11T05:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/1 "2006-05-11T05:46:17Z")
I have a friend whose been living here in Canada for a while now without proper visas etc (they expired perhaps 1 year ago). What can I do to help him move here legally? He’s from Colorado but has now established quite a nice life for himself here and wants very much to stay. I know that YANAL and he should seek such advice applies, but any other hints, tips or information on how he can gain legal status after a year of illegal residence in Canada would be most greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/2 "2006-05-11T05:57:37Z")
I strongly suggest limiting your involvement to referring him to Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website (www.cic.gc.ca), and possibly helping him fulfill whatever conditions they require. ---
**Author:** ![xiix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d6d6ee/32.png) [@xiix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xiix)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/3 "2006-05-11T06:20:24Z")
I’d like to just provide as much helpful info to him as possible as I don’t think he knows too much about the process. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/4 "2006-05-11T07:49:07Z")
Well, CIC is the authority. I suppose you could also advise him to contact an immigration-specialized attorney. In no event should you put yourself at legal risk, which may make it impossible to later help him, even if you can. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/5 "2006-05-11T08:11:23Z")
> [@xiix](#): > > I have a friend whose been living here in Canada for a while now without proper visas etc (they expired perhaps 1 year ago). What can I do to help him move here legally? He’s from Colorado but has now established quite a nice life for himself here and wants very much to stay. Alright, I’m confused. Since when does an American Citizen need a visa to go to Canada? I know that if you plan to stay longer than 6 months you’re supposed to get something called a “visitors record” or something, and you need a work permit to work. But an actual visa? ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/6 "2006-05-11T15:18:45Z")
Canadians and Americans need visas\* if they’re spending more than the allowable amount of time in the neighbouring country. The most common reason is probably to get an education. You can’t just show up and rent a home, get a job, etc… **xix** ’s buddy probably has to leave the great white north and apply for a different category – and if lucky, may get an employer to help out. [sub]\*Technically, it’s a permit. But it’s the same damn form people from the rest of the world use, and mine even says “visa” on it. But whenever I talk to immigration or the consulate, they get huffy unless I use the word permit. [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/7 "2006-05-11T17:04:40Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > [sub]\*Technically, it’s a permit.[/sub] Yeah, that’s what I thought. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-help-illegal-alien-friend-in-canada/356339/8 "2006-05-11T17:32:18Z")
If you’re looking for ways for him to stay, illegally, this thread will probably be closed. His best bet is to get a lawyer, or go back to the US to get the permits required. Other than that, he will remain illegal, not legally employable, and removable from the country by officials.