Getting married in a third country - religion + nationality problem

[Qurat ul ain]

I'm a Pakistani Muslim based in Pakistan and my boyfriend is Indian Sikh. We met online in November 2016 and have been together since.

I had once applied for Canada immigration in 2008 but my application was never considered (due to an order by the Harper government under which applications submitted during a certain time period were summarily scrapped). Anyhow, I moved on with my life once that happened and developed a pretty stable career. I've been working for about 14 years and am financially independent and well travelled.

In Nov 2016, I found my one on a dating site and we've been together since. But because I'm Pakistani and he's Indian, it's nearly impossible to live together in each other's countries, without multiple restrictions.

Anyhoo, we first met in Sri Lanka in April 2017, after months of talking to each other. Later in September 2017, we travelled to Dubai for a few days. There I also introduced him to my best friend and her husband. Around this time, we had been having conversations around how can we live together if not in Pakistan or India and Canada kept coming up. I was reluctant to create an Express Entry profile for myself because of my previous experience. But ultimately I understood that that was our only real option to start a life together. Anyhow, fast forward and my profile expired without me getting an ITA but thankfully he has got his and fingers crossed he'll get PR too.

We went on to meet again in Turkey late last year we'll meet again before he heads to Canada.

Once he's found work and has settled a bit, we plan to marry as that seems to be the only practical option for us to get together. However, I wonder how do we do that. Will we have to marry in a third country because of the religion issue. Also, I don't want him to come to Pakistan because he's Indian and even if he got a visa, he may get in trouble because of his nationality and religion and in Pakistan our marriage would be illegal. As for India, I may or may not get a visa. And even if I did, the Pakistani state may stalk me to no end and create trouble because I travelled to India and married a non-Muslim. Either way, his parents, other relatives and my dad and all our friends are really looking forward to our wedding so they all want to be there.

Where should we get married if not in India, Pakistan or Canada. I'm counting Canada out because I'm unsure if I'll get the visa to travel there to marry him because of what appears to be a stringent visa policy. Also, we want our families and friends to be able to attend.

Please recommend people. Help us love birds unite.

 

[shalenabennie]

Once he goes to Canada abd gets pr, you can travel to Canada on visit visa and marry. From there you can either apply for sponsorship inland or you can return home and wait for the application to finish and then go back. If your counting Canada out, then by process of elimination, I guess your left with Pakistan

 

[Qurat ul ain]

But the marriage wouldn't be legal in Pakistan due to religious differences. So Pakistan is not an option either.

 

[Qurat ul ain]

Once he goes to Canada abd gets pr, you can travel to Canada on visit visa and marry. From there you can either apply for sponsorship inland or you can return home and wait for the application to finish and then go back. If your counting Canada out, then by process of elimination, I guess your left with Pakistan

Would Canada allow me in if I clearly declare that I am travelling to marry my boyfriend? I know people have travelled to Canada on the pretext of a regular visit and gotten married but I don't wish to do that. I don't approve of concealing or hiding information in my application.

 

[shalenabennie]

Would Canada allow me in if I clearly declare that I am travelling to marry my boyfriend? I know people have travelled to Canada on the pretext of a regular visit and gotten married but I don't wish to do that. I don't approve of concealing or hiding information in my application.

I'm not qualified to answer that, having no experience. But I'm sure someone will reply with an answer for you

 

[canuck78]

Would Canada allow me in if I clearly declare that I am travelling to marry my boyfriend? I know people have travelled to Canada on the pretext of a regular visit and gotten married but I don't wish to do that. I don't approve of concealing or hiding information in my application.

No you would be refused. You seem to have travelled quite a bit and seem to have good finances so you may get a Canadian visa. You would either have to apply for general tourism or to see friends or family.

 

[garbimba]

Try the Canadian Visa, or go to another country to get married, maybe in Europe? Latin America is also a good option, i.e. Mexico, Colombia, etc.

Good luck!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I'm a Pakistani Muslim based in Pakistan and my boyfriend is Indian Sikh. We met online in November 2016 and have been together since.

I had once applied for Canada immigration in 2008 but my application was never considered (due to an order by the Harper government under which applications submitted during a certain time period were summarily scrapped). Anyhow, I moved on with my life once that happened and developed a pretty stable career. I've been working for about 14 years and am financially independent and well travelled.

In Nov 2016, I found my one on a dating site and we've been together since. But because I'm Pakistani and he's Indian, it's nearly impossible to live together in each other's countries, without multiple restrictions.

Anyhoo, we first met in Sri Lanka in April 2017, after months of talking to each other. Later in September 2017, we travelled to Dubai for a few days. There I also introduced him to my best friend and her husband. Around this time, we had been having conversations around how can we live together if not in Pakistan or India and Canada kept coming up. I was reluctant to create an Express Entry profile for myself because of my previous experience. But ultimately I understood that that was our only real option to start a life together. Anyhow, fast forward and my profile expired without me getting an ITA but thankfully he has got his and fingers crossed he'll get PR too.

We went on to meet again in Turkey late last year we'll meet again before he heads to Canada.

Once he's found work and has settled a bit, we plan to marry as that seems to be the only practical option for us to get together. However, I wonder how do we do that. Will we have to marry in a third country because of the religion issue. Also, I don't want him to come to Pakistan because he's Indian and even if he got a visa, he may get in trouble because of his nationality and religion and in Pakistan our marriage would be illegal. As for India, I may or may not get a visa. And even if I did, the Pakistani state may stalk me to no end and create trouble because I travelled to India and married a non-Muslim. Either way, his parents, other relatives and my dad and all our friends are really looking forward to our wedding so they all want to be there.

Where should we get married if not in India, Pakistan or Canada. I'm counting Canada out because I'm unsure if I'll get the visa to travel there to marry him because of what appears to be a stringent visa policy. Also, we want our families and friends to be able to attend.

Please recommend people. Help us love birds unite.

The easiest path for you guys is to get married somewhere you can both go, like Sri Lanka or Dubai, after he has submitted his PR app. He can then add you to his app and you will become PRs at the same time.

It may not be the ideal wedding and not everyone may be able to be there but you can always hold another ceremony after.

 

[Qurat ul ain]

We didn't take that route @canuck_in_uk because we were worried that in case our marriage at that time arouses suspicion and jeopardises his application as well, we wouldn't even have Canada left as our option.

Thankfully, he got his PR and landed last month. Prior to his departure, we managed to spend 9 days together in Nepal. We had also planned to meet earlier in February in Dubai but that didn't pan out. Regarding Dubai, he reached and I had also boarded the plane from here but all passengers on the flight I was on were offloaded before we could fly because things suddenly escalated between India and Pakistan and Pakistan's airspace was closed down. I have the offloading stamp on my passport from the day. The airspace closure was also recorded by most major news media everywhere.

Anyway, once he's found his feet there we want to get married but there are so many hurdles. We will figure a way and from what it looks like, will end up getting married in a 4th country, not Pakistan, not India, not Canada. And then apply for spousal sponsorship. However, I read some old posts that really alarmed me. They suggested that if one's bf/gf/fiance(e) doesn't declare them in the PR application as conjugal partner, then they can never sponsor them even as a spouse. That seems a bit outrageous, no? I mean, sure we love each other very much and are going to fight for it till the end but we didn't plan our relationship following a manual and honestly we were scared to go the conjugal route because it appears to be a route you take when there is zero other option. I am particularly perturbed by the thought that just the fact that we have a history can go against us. Is this true? I would really appreciate if you could share what you know and think.

Also @canuck78, would really appreciate if you could share your thoughts on this.

 

[starnaenae]

We didn't take that route @canuck_in_uk because we were worried that in case our marriage at that time arouses suspicion and jeopardises his application as well, we wouldn't even have Canada left as our option.

Thankfully, he got his PR and landed last month. Prior to his departure, we managed to spend 9 days together in Nepal. We had also planned to meet earlier in February in Dubai but that didn't pan out. Regarding Dubai, he reached and I had also boarded the plane from here but all passengers on the flight I was on were offloaded before we could fly because things suddenly escalated between India and Pakistan and Pakistan's airspace was closed down. I have the offloading stamp on my passport from the day. The airspace closure was also recorded by most major news media everywhere.

Anyway, once he's found his feet there we want to get married but there are so many hurdles. We will figure a way and from what it looks like, will end up getting married in a 4th country, not Pakistan, not India, not Canada. And then apply for spousal sponsorship. However, I read some old posts that really alarmed me. They suggested that if one's bf/gf/fiance(e) doesn't declare them in the PR application as conjugal partner, then they can never sponsor them even as a spouse. That seems a bit outrageous, no? I mean, sure we love each other very much and are going to fight for it till the end but we didn't plan our relationship following a manual and honestly we were scared to go the conjugal route because it appears to be a route you take when there is zero other option. I am particularly perturbed by the thought that just the fact that we have a history can go against us. Is this true? I would really appreciate if you could share what you know and think.

Also @canuck78, would really appreciate if you could share your thoughts on this.

Ive answered this. Having a gf/bf/fiance doesnt need to be declared. You are
Still “single” you do not qualify for conjugal as you guys can clearly be together and can clearly get married

 

[Qurat ul ain]

Ive answered this. Having a gf/bf/fiance doesnt need to be declared. You are
Still “single” you do not qualify for conjugal as you guys can clearly be together and can clearly get married

Thanks @starnaenae

 

[kaur2019]

I really hope you find a way to unite in whatever country that may be!
Keep posting, I have read your thread and wish you both all the best