Spousal Sponsorship, Need Advice on Timing

[danapefq]

Hi everyone,

My fiance lives in ontario and I live in NY. We are planning on getting married and living together in ontario. Currently we need some advice on timing. We know we need a wedding certificate for our sponsorship/PR application and this will take some weeks to get after the wedding, and we also know we want to submit pictures of the ceremony and reception. We want to get things done quickly, so we are considering getting married in a civil ceremony with just a few people there, ordering the certificate, getting started on all the paperwork, and then having a big celebration and more formal ceremony a couple months later, by which time we should have everything assembled, taking pictures, and then submitting everything shortly afterwords.

I know there are a million other things to consider and plan for, but as far as the idea of marrying early and having the celebration later, does this seem like a sensible plan? Is there any reason this would be a problem?

I would really appreciate any input on this, thanks so much

 

[Hurlabrick]

Hi everyone,

My fiance lives in ontario and I live in NY. We are planning on getting married and living together in ontario. Currently we need some advice on timing. We know we need a wedding certificate for our sponsorship/PR application and this will take some weeks to get after the wedding, and we also know we want to submit pictures of the ceremony and reception. We want to get things done quickly, so we are considering getting married in a civil ceremony with just a few people there, ordering the certificate, getting started on all the paperwork, and then having a big celebration and more formal ceremony a couple months later, by which time we should have everything assembled, taking pictures, and then submitting everything shortly afterwords.

I know there are a million other things to consider and plan for, but as far as the idea of marrying early and having the celebration later, does this seem like a sensible plan? Is there any reason this would be a problem?

I would really appreciate any input on this, thanks so much

Depending on how long you have been dating etc. it shouldn't be a problem as it is a 'cultural norm' for Canadian / Americans to do this sort of thing. I suggest you should still have some sort of celebration after the court wedding and / or a stag / hen do beforehand and get photos of you with friends. You can also explain why you are having a big celebration later. Canadian / US spousal sponsorships are normally quicker than other nationalities and take about 6 months from receipt at CIC to approval.

 

[danapefq]

That is all really good to hear. Yeah our thought was to have a dinner after the civil ceremony and probably also do like a stag and doe at some point, and take pictures at those things as well as at the big celebration. I'm really glad to hear that we might have a quicker processing time. We are not looking forward to continuing to travel constantly for more than a year. As for how long we have been dating, about 7 months, tho we were close friends for a year or so before that. Hopefully that isn't considered unreasonable or anything

 

[Hurlabrick]

That is all really good to hear. Yeah our thought was to have a dinner after the civil ceremony and probably also do like a stag and doe at some point, and take pictures at those things as well as at the big celebration. I'm really glad to hear that we might have a quicker processing time. We are not looking forward to continuing to travel constantly for more than a year. As for how long we have been dating, about 7 months, tho we were close friends for a year or so before that. Hopefully that isn't considered unreasonable or anything

That is a pretty short space of time. It may well 'raise an eyebrow' at CIC. As part of the package you are ask to explain how you met etc. You would be well advised to start as far back as you can and explain how your relationship developed to the current position.

 

[danapefq]

I see, well by the time we put in the application we will have known each other for 2 years, and we can give pretty detailed accounts of our relationship. Hopefully that will be ok. I really appreciate all the advice

 

[Hurlabrick]

I see, well by the time we put in the application we will have known each other for 2 years, and we can give pretty detailed accounts of our relationship. Hopefully that will be ok. I really appreciate all the advice

Two years sounds a lot better, no red flag there I suggest.