I am a 40 yr old Canadian citizen who would like to spend more time with my 10 month old niece. I have no intention of staying permanently in the US but would like to have the opportunity to spend time with her in these very important formative years. Both of her parents work full-time.
I have actually been in Denver, Colorado helping to care for my niece since June but will be returning to Canada shortly so as not to overstay my welcome (six months legally as a visitor).

I wonder what my options are to return legally in the new year.
I have considered the J-1 nanny option but I wonder if I am too old. It also may be hard for me to find a sponsor.

Perhaps my best option would be to return again as a visitor for six months- but I have concerns that US immigration may not let me in again for another six months thinking that I may really be wanting to stay permanently. And after all, it's not my right to return but is at the discretion of US immigration.

Would the best option be to say to US immigration that I am only returning for one week (to be in Denver for my niece's first birthday) and then just stay for 6 months? Does US immigration have a record of the date when I return to Canada. If so, will this be a problem for me in the future if I say that I am staying for only a week and then stay for 6 months.

I am finding it difficult to get any answers and would really appreciate some advice. I just want to be able to spend a little more time with my darling niece- 2000 miles is too far away!

thank you for any help you can provide.

what you really mean to say is that you want to keep providing child care (work) for someone while trying to disguise this illegal activity (working without permission) from the readers....your story is full of baloney....what "job" can you possibly have in Canada that allows you so much "vacation?" (none)...and this nonsense about "spending time
" with my niece...really means "being the nanny and housekeeper)....no more illegal alien visa or visa waiver cheats, please.

Canuck,
Whatever you do, pls do not lie to the immigration officer at the point of entry. It will come back to haunt you. Immigration is keeping better and more detailed record of immigrants' coming and going now. Secondly, just because they give you six months does not mean you should spend all of the six months. Immigration is suspicious of coming every six months whebyou are not a businessman. They will think you are working here or doing planning something fishy and deny you entry the subsequent time you want to come in to the US. The nanny option may be a way out but consult a not-for profit immigration service provider about your options before you put any money down for a lawyer. Good luck.

Thank you olaolu for your reply. Yes, I agree lying to an Immigration officer is not a good idea. I guess I was starting to feel like perhaps I didn't have any other option.
I was quite honest with the immigration officer when I first came (against the advice of some people) and told them I wanted to come for six months to help care for my niece as both her parents are working-they let me in then but I wonder what my chances will be the next time.

Unfortunately I have discovered the nanny option is not available to me as I am over the maximum age limit of 26.

I understand that another option may be to study at a college in Denver but I believe it would have to be full-time and would probably be quite expensive. Does anyone have any advice? Maybe I will just have to take my chances coming back again as a visitor.

You have to go back. You, as a Canadian have a chance to get it again for six months. Anytime the Canadian or Japonese want to come to USA as a tourist, they are given three months to the Japonese and six months to the Canadians. I do not understand why are you so scared? My advice is just go back without breaking the USA law.

good luck

thank you for your reply 'inspector45'.

Yes, I am definitely going back- I have no intention or desire to break the law.

My 'anxiety' is whether or not I can come back again for six months. It leaves the decision completely at the 'whim' of the immigration officer on the day I try to return to the US.

Personally, I don't see why it should be a problem. As I said, I have no intention of staying illegaly in the US. I have my own private health insurance and I would be staying with my brother's family but it seems that if your story does not fit 'neatly' into a specific category, US immigration can just say "no" and I can do nothing about it.

I have also considered the 'student' option but don't know if this is practical for me.

Again, if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. thank you.