How do I get m American fiance into Canada

[eejj23]

This forum, as well as the Canadian Immigration website has been very helpful, but I'm still unclear on some things. I'm a Canadian and I have been dating an American for 4 years now. We want to get married here in Canada, and I will then sponsor him. But...

1. When he gets to the Canadian border, before the wedding, I've read that he should NOT tell the officers that he is here to marry his Canadian fiance. What, then, does he say instead?

2. Should he get his visitor's visa before he comes to marry me, or after (I heard that because he's an American he can be here in Canada for at least 6 months, unless that's a big rumor)

I have some more questions, but these are the two questions I've been worried about the most. I don't want him to come to the border before the wedding to get turned away. We want to it correctly.

Thanks

 

[michaelab]

This forum, as well as the Canadian Immigration website has been very helpful, but I'm still unclear on some things. I'm a Canadian and I have been dating an American for 4 years now. We want to get married here in Canada, and I will then sponsor him. But...

1. When he gets to the Canadian border, before the wedding, I've read that he should NOT tell the officers that he is here to marry his Canadian fiance. What, then, does he say instead?

I didn't tell them about my impending wedding. I simply told them I was visiting the baby's father. I think what people were saying that if you told them you are entering Canada to marry a Canadian, they would be more interested in questioning further on details. I am sure depending on the IO you are talking to as well. Make sure he has some good proof that his stronger ties to the US than to Canada so he will go back at the end of his stay. Personally I would just say visiting instead so it will be less hassle.

2. Should he get his visitor's visa before he comes to marry me, or after (I heard that because he's an American he can be here in Canada for at least 6 months, unless that's a big rumor)

If he's from the US (or any visa exempt country) then he is not required to obtain the visitor's visa..and yes if they don't give you a visitor record stating the specific date of return he will be able to stay for 6 months.

I have some more questions, but these are the two questions I've been worried about the most. I don't want him to come to the border before the wedding to get turned away. We want to it correctly.

Thanks

 

[iarblue]

Most Americans are waved right through,asked a few questions,the best thing he can do is say he is coming to visit his girlfriend and have the address with him where he is going to stay,when they ask how long he is going to stay(what will he say?)A copy of his bank account balance to prove he has enough money for his stay.
It all depends on what your plans are really.Does he plan to stay long?Is he going back home for work?If he is not working then how will he support himself here?
Being american they might not ask him much,but if they do then you need to be prepared.He cant say oh im going to stay with my girlfriend but i dont know how long.And she is going to pay my way while im there.Its different if you already have the PR app in process,so he needs to prove he will leave after his visit stay expires.He needs to prove he has enough money to support himself,he needs to know where he is going and for what reason,He needs to convince them that he has things in the US to bring him back to the US.
Like i said just be prepared but best case is they dont ask him much.

 

[RobsLuv]

Read through the information on the US2Canada website - especially the info about visiting. Keep in mind that until you are married he is not an eligible PR applicant and if they get wind of the fact that he has a girlfriend in Canada, or that he's coming in to get married, they could refuse him entry believing he will not leave at the end of his authorized stay. It is true that US citizens do not need (and, in fact, cannot get) visit visas to come to Canada - we have to pass an entry examination at the port of entry. Your bf will need to be able to demonstrate that he has significant ties to home and that he intends to go back. A return trip airfare (if he's flying), and a reasonable itinerary is usually sufficient. He shouldn't have to prove he has funds to stay because he's only going to tell them he intends to stay for a couple of weeks. Visa-exempt foreign nationals (like US citizens) are authorized to remain in Canada for up to six months ONCE THEY'RE ADMITTED - that is not the same thing as being able to ask for permission to stay for six months when you're trying to get in. Plans change, airline tickets can be exchanged, etc., and that's all fine - as long as you don't stay for more than 6 months. But don't ask for that on entry.

In addition, once you're married, he can apply to extend whatever status he was given on entry from within Canada based on his marriage to you and a PR ap in process. He cannot work in Canada, however, or go to school until after he is granted PR - so whether he wants to stay for the duration is a personal choice. Also, he will need to have proof of his entry date by a stamp in his passport or a temporary status document issued by Immigration Canada (which he probably won't get coming in as a casual visitor unless he gets into trouble with them and they issue it to limit his stay). If he gets a stamp in his passport, he's okay to apply to extend from within Canada by mail - if he doesn't, the two of you should leave Canada before his six months is up and come back in as a married couple with you speaking for him - proving your marriage and asking for documented status for him so that he can stay with you until he gets PR. That status he'd be able to extend by mail.

 

[eejj23]

Thanks everyone so far! I actually have some questions about him extending his visit. So lets say we got married in Canada, and then we went to the United States to honeymoon. (Before we submit the PR paperwork since he can't leave Canada during the process) When we come back to Canada, is that when we could ask for documented status? Do I tell them that "we are married, and he would like to stay with me a bit longer during the PR sponsorship process, and that he wants a document status?" (I'm also assuming that he would still need to have some proof that he would be leaving again)

While filling out the form for extending his status, when they ask why he wants to stay, can he say it's because he wants to stay with his wife for a bit?

Thank you!

 

[RobsLuv]

Thanks everyone so far! I actually have some questions about him extending his visit. So lets say we got married in Canada, and then we went to the United States to honeymoon. (Before we submit the PR paperwork since he can't leave Canada during the process) When we come back to Canada, is that when we could ask for documented status? Do I tell them that "we are married, and he would like to stay with me a bit longer during the PR sponsorship process, and that he wants a document status?" (I'm also assuming that he would still need to have some proof that he would be leaving again)

While filling out the form for extending his status, when they ask why he wants to stay, can he say it's because he wants to stay with his wife for a bit?

Thank you!

OK, first, the only type of application that doesn't allow him to leave Canada during processing is an inland application. DON'T lock yourselves into that process! Apply for his PR outland - he is still able to be in Canada with you during processing based on the temporary status he's given, and that he continues to keep updated, until PR is approved. Again, go back and read through the information on the US2Canada site at the Visiting tab - it will answer your question about how to go about bringing him back into Canada with you after the wedding to stay while PR is processing. But the most important thing for you to understand is that sponsoring via the inland process DOES lock him into Canada without the ability to work for at least 6-7 months AND the process, in total, can take anywhere from 12-18 months to finalize. Plus, there is no right of appeal. Outland applications, processed through Buffalo, will take from 4-9 months to finalize (plus an additional 30-45 days for the sponsor's assessment at CPC-Mississauga before the file is transferred by them to Buffalo) and he will be able to work as soon as he gets PR. In many cases US citizens "visiting" Canada think they have to apply inland in order to stay here but it's not true. LOTS of US applicants have successfully immigrated via the outland application process while staying in Canada with their partners during processing. There is nothing that says you can't do that. The key is maintaining the temporary status and that can be done, by extension application, based on the marriage and the PR ap in process.

Again, please read US2Canada - your husband-to-be is not going to be saying anything to the IO at the port-of-entry when you come back together after your honeymoon. YOU are the sponsor - YOU speak on his behalf. It's all there - if you have any questions, PM me.

 

[Kess]

That's actually really helpful Robsluv. My husband is planning to stay in California and keep working during the application process (we haven't submitted yet, waiting for the FBI record back). But after reading this, might consider having him move up a few months after the app is submitted.

 

[AllisonVSC]

That's actually really helpful Robsluv. ... But after reading this, might consider having him move up a few months after the app is submitted.

RobsLuv is awesome at clarifying things, eh? Just don't say MOVE; say visit. He can't move until his visa is approved. The habit of using the proper words will help you in case you need to explain your situation at a border crossing.

 

[Kess]

RobsLuv is awesome at clarifying things, eh? Just don't say MOVE; say visit. He can't move until his visa is approved. The habit of using the proper words will help you in case you need to explain your situation at a border crossing.

Haha.. oh I know. I was grilling my husband before he came up for our wedding on what he was going to say. His passport has gotten a lot of stamps so I think they were taking notice at customs

 

[iarblue]

Sometimes its not all bad to have stamps it shows you do leave countries om th required time.And customs will notice it.

 

[Chelsey73]

Hi,
I am in a similar situation. I am Canadian and I am getting married to my American fiance in the US. We are planning on living in Canada afterwards while I am going to grad school. When would I begin his permanent resident application? How soon would he be able to work, since he will be our sole supporter while I am at school?

Thanks for any help and advice you can give!