A little insight please -

[Rebalina]

Heres a little background information:


My fiance and I have been together a year and a half ( known each other for close to 7 years now)

I am a Canadian citizen, he is a Venezuelan citizen with a Portugual Passport & Venezuelan Passport (Dual citizenship)
I was staying in Venezuela summer of 16, we tried to get married, but I needed some paperwork that I left in Canada, so we were unable to do so. He applied for a visa to enter Canada as a Venezuelan citizen and got denied because of the situations that are going on in Venezuela right now. He is currently applying for his Portugal citizenship through his mother, we are at the final step.


My questions are:

Since he has both a Venezuelan passport and Portugal, if he enters Canada and shows his Portugal passport, he would not need a visa even though he is still a Venezuelan citizen? Would Immigration not let him in since he is travelling from Venezuela?

We will marry in Canada when he arrives and apply as inland sponsorship.


Thanks for the help!

 

[Aquakitty]

Heres a little background information:


My fiance and I have been together a year and a half ( known each other for close to 7 years now)

I am a Canadian citizen, he is a Venezuelan citizen with a Portugual Passport & Venezuelan Passport (Dual citizenship)
I was staying in Venezuela summer of 16, we tried to get married, but I needed some paperwork that I left in Canada, so we were unable to do so. He applied for a visa to enter Canada as a Venezuelan citizen and got denied because of the situations that are going on in Venezuela right now. He is currently applying for his Portugal citizenship through his mother, we are at the final step.


My questions are:

Since he has both a Venezuelan passport and Portugal, if he enters Canada and shows his Portugal passport, he would not need a visa even though he is still a Venezuelan citizen? Would Immigration not let him in since he is travelling from Venezuela?

We will marry in Canada when he arrives and apply as inland sponsorship.


Thanks for the help!

No, he will not need a visa regardless of his VZA passport. However, it's up to the border guards if they will let him in, same as anyone from a non-visa country. Make sure he brings 1) Proof of finances (enough to cover his stay in Canada) and 2) Proof of ties to home country, such as proof he has a job and a home to return to (even if he's not returning). He can just say he's visiting his GF in Canada. Never lie, but never offer extra information unless asked.

 

[Rebalina]

I thought if he mentions he is visiting his gf in canada they are more likely to not let him go through?

 

[mikeymyke]

I thought if he mentions he is visiting his gf in canada they are more likely to not let him go through?

Its not just that, its the fact you guys plan to get married and apply inland, that can make it more likely to be refused entry. Reason is inland applicants are allowed to remain in Canada indefinitely during the processing, but a visitor is only supposed to show they are in Canada temporarily. Being an inland applicant doesnt really show u will be in Canada temporarily for the reason above and also inland applicants arent supposed to leave Caanda

My advice is to not mention the marriage or inland application, but when asked at the border, you should tell the truth because they will usually tell if someone is lying

 

[Aquakitty]

I thought if he mentions he is visiting his gf in canada they are more likely to not let him go through?

Visiting your GF is a legit reason to visit. It's if you start saying you plan a wedding etc. that it could cause a problem. But like I said, you can't lie about it. The best thing to do is not give them a reason to ask, by bringing a wedding dress and suit with you, and wedding invitations etc. Canada is not as strict about entering for marriage as the US is, as we don't have a fiance visa like the US, but why add any extra risks if it's easy to mitigate.

It's not that you are not allowed to do this, it's the fact that they want you to leave when you are supposed to. The #1 reason for illegal immigrants is visitors overstaying. Also, if you are married or common-law already, they expect you to complete the PR process before living in Canada. Though, we all know that's not an actual requirement (thus the "dual intent" policy).