Extending My Stay in Canada

[ankk]

Hello,

My girlfriend of 2 years and I are planning on getting married in June at the Toronto City Hall. She is Canadian and I am American and we want to live in Toronto. After we get married we are going to begin the sponsorship process. We have a few questions that we would like to get cleared up just to make sure we have everything in order.

I have been here since January so my 6 months as a visitor runs out in July. So I obviously need to extend my stay. I know I need to apply for a Visitor's Record and have done a good bit a research on the subject but am still very confused about the whole process. What exactly do I need to do so I can extend my stay throughout the PR sponsorship process? How soon should I apply for a Visitor's Record? Before or after we are married?

All information on this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[rhcohen2014]

you need to apply for an extension of your current visit. someone will be able to give you a link to applying for one on line. generally it's suggested to apply for an extension at least 30 days before the end of your current stay. if you haven't gotten married yet, then tell them your intentions/plans for a wedding (Even providing them your marriage license or reciepts for deposits), and applying for PR.

 

[bartjones]

IMO your best bet would be to get married, submit your PR application immediately thereafter and then request a visitor's visa extension. Tell them in your extension application that you have a pending application for PR. Those types of extension applications are usually granted pretty routinely. You can find the extension application forms on CIC's website. You can do it online or by mail. Good luck.

 

[fumbler1983]

It is recommended to apply for an extension at least a month before your current status expires. When I applied a couple months ago I received my extension in a week and the online processing time said 15 days electronically. If you are able to wait until you get married to apply I think it would make your chances for an extension better. If you dont have at least 3-4 weeks left before your status expires to wait then go ahead and send it before.

It just seems like they "believe" your intentions more if you are married. That is just my experience.

 

[bartjones]

It is recommended to apply for an extension at least a month before your current status expires.

True, CIC recommends that, but in actual fact all you need to do legally is file it before the expiration of your status. Personally, I'd do the paper application since once you file, you have implied status to stay during the 2-3 month processing time anyway. By the time they get around to looking at his extension application, his PR app will probably already have sponsorship approval and be well on it's way.

The concern I would have with filing it before the wedding is the VO may then wonder if he will leave if requested to (i.e. is he asking to 'visit' or 'live' here). CIC seems to be much more tolerant of that make believe distinction when you're legally married and your PR app is already in progress. I think his chances are much better if he applies to extend after he's already married and his PR application has been filed. Those sorts of extension applications rarely seem to get refused if you're from a visa exempt country.

 

[ankk]

Thank you all for the quick responses....

So if we wanted to spend the next year together planning a wedding instead of getting married at the city hall would they grant me a visitor's record if we have proof that she would be supporting me and I wouldn't be working here?


Thanks again!

 

[Ponga]

There is never a guarantee that your visitor record will be granted, for any length of time. While most Americans, that are not deemed to be inadmissible, have little problems, it is still never guaranteed.

 

[rhcohen2014]

There is never a guarantee that your visitor record will be granted, for any length of time. While most Americans, that are not deemed to be inadmissible, have little problems, it is still never guaranteed.

from my own experience, they are a lot more accommodating to married couples.

 

[ankk]

Do we need a Marriage Certificate to apply for the record or will a Marriage License be enough? I only ask because we have heard that a Marriage Certificate can take over a month to get and we don't want my 6 months to expire before we receive it and apply for the extension.

Thanks!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Do we need a Marriage Certificate to apply for the record or will a Marriage License be enough? I only ask because we have heard that a Marriage Certificate can take over a month to get and we don't want my 6 months to expire before we receive it and apply for the extension.

Thanks!

I think marriage license shows your intent on a wedding, and if you have already had the ceremony, show proof of it with pictures, or bills. Also make sure to explain you have filed for a certificate and it won't be possible to get it in time for your request.

 

[ankk]

Thank you guys so much for the answers! I really appreciate it. Is there anything else you can think of that we should know?