+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Married in the Philippines and planning to marry my GF in Canada

haggiyo18

Newbie
Sep 16, 2024
3
0
Hi. I need your advice regarding my situation.
Im still technically married in the philippines although my spouse and I have been living separately for more than 3 years. Lots of process in getting an annulment and still on the process of filing one. I'm planning to visit my GF in canada and get married. She is already a canadian citizen. Can we obtain a marriage license and can she sponsor me so I can stay with her in canada?

Thank you for ur advices.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,332
13,437
Hi. I need your advice regarding my situation.
Im still technically married in the philippines although my spouse and I have been living separately for more than 3 years. Lots of process in getting an annulment and still on the process of filing one. I'm planning to visit my GF in canada and get married. She is already a canadian citizen. Can we obtain a marriage license and can she sponsor me so I can stay with her in canada?

Thank you for ur advices.
You can get married again if you are already married. You could consider conjugal sponsorship.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haggiyo18

haggiyo18

Newbie
Sep 16, 2024
3
0
I'm assuming that you meant "cant get married" with an existing marriage.
Op will need a divorce or enter a common law or conjugal (tough) relationship.
unfortunately no divorce yet in the philippines. Only annulment but so much reqts and takes years.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,726
22,027
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Hi. I need your advice regarding my situation.
Im still technically married in the philippines although my spouse and I have been living separately for more than 3 years. Lots of process in getting an annulment and still on the process of filing one. I'm planning to visit my GF in canada and get married. She is already a canadian citizen. Can we obtain a marriage license and can she sponsor me so I can stay with her in canada?

Thank you for ur advices.
No, not possible since you are still married. Canada will not recognize your marriage and your marriage will not be valid under Canadian laws.

If your GF and you can live together for 1 year continuously, then she can sponsor you as a common law partner.
 
  • Like
Reactions: canuck78 and YVR123

YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,361
2,854
Coming to Canada and living together for 1 year to become common law would be your option. You won't be able to work and will need to stay as a visitor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: canuck78

Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,396
1,457
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Coming to Canada and living together for 1 year to become common law would be your option. You won't be able to work and will need to stay as a visitor.
True, but if the OP can work remotely for a person or company that is outside of Canada (with no presence, or customers in Canada) they can do so without needing a work permit (unless that has changed).
 
  • Like
Reactions: YVR123

YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,361
2,854
True, but if the OP can work remotely for a person or company that is outside of Canada (with no presence, or customers in Canada) they can do so without needing a work permit (unless that has changed).
true. I mean cannot work for a Canadian company or do any non-remote jobs inside Canada.
 

autoscriptor

Star Member
Jul 5, 2009
113
25
Hi. I need your advice regarding my situation.
Im still technically married in the philippines although my spouse and I have been living separately for more than 3 years. Lots of process in getting an annulment and still on the process of filing one. I'm planning to visit my GF in canada and get married. She is already a canadian citizen. Can we obtain a marriage license and can she sponsor me so I can stay with her in canada?

Thank you for ur advices.
My wife and I married in Canada only. She is from the Philippines. One of the requirements we had to send to IRCC was either a Filipino marriage certificate or a CENOMAR, along with our Canadian-issued marriage certificate. So, no. You cannot marry your Canadian GF while still legally married in the Philippines; even if you would consider tricking the system, the system has this covered.
 

nyantaro19

Star Member
Feb 7, 2024
162
42
Category........
Other
Medj mahirap getting the papers for annulment. But I'm glad you're aware of that. Other than what people recommended, try hiring a lawyer rin when it's time. For now though, sponsorship would be quite difficult since you'd need to submit stuff from the PSA acknowledging you're no longer tied to your previous relationship. Don't get married yet, since you're still married in the Philippines, IRCC might think you're in some marriage fraud situation, baka magkaroon ka pa ng criminal record.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haggiyo18

haggiyo18

Newbie
Sep 16, 2024
3
0
Medj mahirap getting the papers for annulment. But I'm glad you're aware of that. Other than what people recommended, try hiring a lawyer rin when it's time. For now though, sponsorship would be quite difficult since you'd need to submit stuff from the PSA acknowledging you're no longer tied to your previous relationship. Don't get married yet, since you're still married in the Philippines, IRCC might think you're in some marriage fraud situation, baka magkaroon ka pa ng criminal record.
Hi. Thanks for the reply. Medjo mhirap nga po ung annulment process sa pinas. 2 yrs collecting documents and all tas di pa na ifile sa court. Sobrang hassle.. un ang mhirap mgkaroon ng criminal record.. badly need advice tlga.thank you
 

nyantaro19

Star Member
Feb 7, 2024
162
42
Category........
Other
Hi. Thanks for the reply. Medjo mhirap nga po ung annulment process sa pinas. 2 yrs collecting documents and all tas di pa na ifile sa court. Sobrang hassle.. un ang mhirap mgkaroon ng criminal record.. badly need advice tlga.thank you
I really suggest an immigration lawyer para maging smooth process and mabigyan kayo ng advice or step by step process. It might take years but at least magiging malinis yung process.