a couple questions:

[blueangel371115]

I just crossed through the border yesterday, the IO noticed I had an expired VR attached to my passport and once we told him we were engaged, he asked if I wanted to renew and if I was immigrating. I said yes, once I had certain documents following our wedding. No problems there. But after I got my passport back, there wasn't a new paper attached as before so I don't have the number that I was on the previous one ( I assume it was my UCI, forgive me if that assumption is incorrect).
All I have is a stamp, so what do I do? Can I look it up? Or do I have a different UCI. I remember from the paper that it said that was my permanent number but now I am confused as I didn't renew it as I didn't think I could. The woman even knew I was only visting for my days off until I am done work so I was leaving again in a few days but I was issued one . I told her after I was done work that I would be visiting through my wedding and while my application processed. She said that I'd need to show my receipt of application to be granted another. But I have one already. I'm thoroughly confused. So much so that I doubt I am explaining it correctly.
Then she said once I have my certificate it may not even matter as my marriage may not even be recognized in Canada as she knew a couple that marrued in New York that weren't. Now granted, I didn't find it polite to ask the specifics of her friends' marriage (i.e gender of the couple, religious/non-religious or the type of religion that the marriage was performed in). But now I'm worried. I know the woman was being polite and not trying to rattle me. But I am confused. This isn't even regarding trying to obtain a name change by skirting rules. I explained that it was for family. A little help.

 

[anticipation]

CIC would recognize as legal any legal marriage from New York, however they might find that it is a "marriage of convenience" and not permit the sponsorship. So the MOC determination would depend on the circumstances surrounding that marriage and not the marriage itself.
So, get married in NY of you want to that would not be the problem.

Your UCI number is supposed to stay with you permanently.
If you contact CIC they would probably eventually send it to you.
Or possibly send a note with your PR application that you had a UCI number but don't know what it is.

 

[muffy1]

With regards to the UCI number, I had one as well from the time I was issued my first VR. However, not having found this forum and not knowing much about the process when I filled out and submitted the PR app, I did not write in my UCI when filling out the forms. I noticed only after sponsorship approval that it was the same number that I had all along that was on the VRs I received. I'm sure they'll be able to "match up" your previous UCI# to your PR app. I wouldn't worry about it. But, I say this only based on my experience. Hope it helps.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

All I have is a stamp, so what do I do? Can I look it up? Or do I have a different UCI.

As far as I know, UCI stays the same. But don't worry about not knowing it; as said above, simply put on your app that you know you were issued a UCI but don't know the number.

If you only have a stamp in your passport, then you probably weren't actually issued a visitor record this time, as they are required to give you a copy of it. If they don't give you a copy, there is no way for you to actually know the validity and how long you can stay in Canada.

She said that I'd need to show my receipt of application to be granted another. But I have one already. I'm thoroughly confused. So much so that I doubt I am explaining it correctly.

Like I said above, it sounds like you weren't issued a VR this time. So the officer probably meant that you would need to show your app receipt next time to get a new VR.


Don't stress over it . Either way, you have entered the country legally. Next time you cross the border, just tell the officer that you thought you had been issued with a VR but you weren't given a copy. The officer can check and tell you.

 

[blueangel371115]

That's what I thought but it doesn't hurt to check. At this point, a vr doesn't matter too much, just after August, when my summer job is done. At that point, I would like to stay there throughout the process and before and after the wedding. And I have declared my intentions as such when asked. For the next couple months I can only stay during my days off so a vr would be pointless.

 

[Sweden]

That's what I thought but it doesn't hurt to check. At this point, a vr doesn't matter too much, just after August, when my summer job is done. At that point, I would like to stay there throughout the process and before and after the wedding. And I have declared my intentions as such when asked. For the next couple months I can only stay during my days off so a vr would be pointless.

When you want to stay after August, you also don't need a VR. If you're only given a stamp at the border, you can also stay for 6 months (unless it says something else on the stamp), and before the 6 months are up, you can ask for an extension...

 

[amikety]

You may want a VR if you plan to open a bank account separately or you reside in Alberta and want to apply for provincial healthcare as a dependant on your spouse's plan.

 

[blueangel371115]

You may want a VR if you plan to open a bank account separately or you reside in Alberta and want to apply for provincial healthcare as a dependant on your spouse's plan.

true but I'm landing in Ontario. So unfortunately I can't . My fiance has great insurance. But I need to have provincial care. Which stinks especially since they will cover him in the US. He is going to get the handbook.

 

[blueangel371115]

When you want to stay after August, you also don't need a VR. If you're only given a stamp at the border, you can also stay for 6 months (unless it says something else on the stamp), and before the 6 months are up, you can ask for an extension...

that is what I hoped to do. I just want to stay with my husband. But we both worry. After all the hearsay and rumors this site is very comforting. I will apply for my extension online. But then again I may go home every other month since my family is close but I don't want to cause problems and not be allowed back in. Plus I wouldn't be leaving to 'reset' my time either. I worry about them thinking that. I just genuinely want to see my parents. By the way, thanks for the quick response and good advice.

 

[muffy1]

A VR would be good to have (as far as I know or understand this process) to help as proof of days spent in Canada. Your time spent in Canada prior to getting your PR counts as a half day towards the requirement of Citizenship. Up to a 2 year max, if I remember correctly. Just FYI. Anyway, I thought it was beneficial for that, just my opinion.

 

[blueangel371115]

A VR would be good to have (as far as I know or understand this process) to help as proof of days spent in Canada. Your time spent in Canada prior to getting your PR counts as a half day towards the requirement of Citizenship. Up to a 2 year max, if I remember correctly. Just FYI. Anyway, I thought it was beneficial for that, just my opinion.

Cool. I've spent most of the last year and a half up there. As a guess. When I have finished my job, once I get stuff relatively settled in the US, I am headed to Canada. And the only time I'll leave is the night before the wedding as we are getting married in the states in a private ceremony then the solemnization ( the minister's words)/ reception in Canada for everyone else. Sounds weird yes. Butwr wanted to do it this way.