Arriving as a visitor to get married - what to tell border officials

[maple15]

So did I, but my point was that I didn't lie about it. I always said I was there to get married or visit my fiancé, never "just a friend". It can be a red flag if you lie and say that you are just visiting a friend and then they look at the math and it appears that you have gotten married very quickly-as per my response.

So when you arrived in Canada, did you say you were there to get married?

And thanks for the link to the facebook group!

 

[maple15]

Totally agree with you guys. Stop lying and trying to be sneaky. My british wife married in Canada, no problems, and returned to the UK months after. Stop being deceiving and obey the rules. If you are honest and upfront, they will be more compassionate with you then if you lie. If caught lying... your ass is back on the plane.

Was your wife upfront about her intentions to marry when she arrived? It's reassuring to know other people have successfully arrived and married in Canada!

When they ask the purpose of my visit, I will say "to visit my fiance and have my wedding". I don't think I can leave out the marriage part...

 

[Applechunks]

So when you arrived in Canada, did you say you were there to get married?

And thanks for the link to the facebook group!

Yes, I did. They asked my reason for being there and I told them. I was also travelling with a massive wedding dress bag! I did have a return ticket though and plenty of ties to Australia.

 

[innosense]

No need to sweat at all if you don't lie.

Did I ask her to lie ?

 

[maple15]

Yes, I did. They asked my reason for being there and I told them. I was also travelling with a massive wedding dress bag! I did have a return ticket though and plenty of ties to Australia.

Were you asked to show proof of your ties in a secondary interview?

I have a feeling it will probably be best that I have a return ticket for a few months after I arrive, to prove I 'm going back. I hope they will at least give me a visitor record for a shorter time stay, rather than the whole six months.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

As the others have said, be truthful. A person can most definitely come to Canada to get married.

A return ticket for 5 months down the line is fine. It is perfectly understandable that you will want to spend a few months with your new spouse after getting married and have the time together to get your PR app ready.

You can pay the PR fees as early as you want. The receipt is good to have because if CBSA does have concerns (which is unlikely), it shows that you are aware of the proper procedures to actually move to Canada.

There is no need to mention the IEC application.

 

[MrScarface]

As the others have said, be truthful. A person can most definitely come to Canada to get married.

A return ticket for 5 months down the line is fine. It is perfectly understandable that you will want to spend a few months with your new spouse after getting married and have the time together to get your PR app ready.

You can pay the PR fees as early as you want. The receipt is good to have because if CBSA does have concerns (which is unlikely), it shows that you are aware of the proper procedures to actually move to Canada.

There is no need to mention the IEC application.

I'm in the same situation.
I'm planning on flying over there in the beginning of September, our Wedding is going to be in the middle of October, of course I want to be there for the preparations and not let my fianceé do everything.
I'm also applying to go to College come January, so depending on whether i already have the approval for the student visa by September, could I possibly just go there with a one way ticket?
Tell them we get married in October and then want to travel the country until i start school in January (which is the truth) or is that not a good idea and would raise suspicions?
Or should I rather book a flight back for, lets say, in the end of october or november and just cancel or no show the flight back?

 

[hillaryh]

from personal experience: i've crossed hundreds of times, never once did anyone ask to see my luggage or give me any hassle. just be truthful, don't sweat it. =]

 

[MiriamT]

From my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I've come here a lot of times with a lot of crap that had nothing to do with the reason of just visiting. Whenever they do open my bag there's a nice note inside on the top of my stuff to say they opened it and went through it. Tell her to be careful but I'm not entirely wrong.

It does happen, though.

When I came to visit my then boyfriend for 2 weeks, CBSA held me up for hours at YVR, put a lot of emotional pressure on me, were very impatient with my not-so-great English at the time and need for them to slow down so I could understand what was being said and asked, removed every single item from my luggage and went through every single one of them, opened my laptop and asked for the password for examination of the contents (and went through all of it: pictures, documents...), and questioned me on coming to Canada (Vancouver) "during the winter" (it was the very last week of winter, and Vancouver has a moderate climate to begin with; I was coming from Missouri, so it was funny that someone would make a remark about Vancouver "winter") since, according to them, it "wasn't normal for someone of [my] nationality" which is also incorrect, Vancouver has lots of people from the country I was born and it's a popular destination among students, workers, new immigrants who hold the same nationality as me. Then they asked me why I had $800 cash on me (they also checked my bank account, so they knew about my finances). "It's because I have money." End of story. Admitted into Canada.

And I didn't even come to get married, I only wanted to see him... We later married in the US.

 

[maple15]

I'm in the same situation.
I'm planning on flying over there in the beginning of September, our Wedding is going to be in the middle of October, of course I want to be there for the preparations and not let my fianceé do everything.
I'm also applying to go to College come January, so depending on whether i already have the approval for the student visa by September, could I possibly just go there with a one way ticket?
Tell them we get married in October and then want to travel the country until i start school in January (which is the truth) or is that not a good idea and would raise suspicions?
Or should I rather book a flight back for, lets say, in the end of october or november and just cancel or no show the flight back?

Based on other people's advice, I would definitely buy a refundable return ticket, just in case! Good luck!

 

[maple15]

It does happen, though.

When I came to visit my then boyfriend for 2 weeks, CBSA held me up for hours at YVR, put a lot of emotional pressure on me, were very impatient with my not-so-great English at the time and need for them to slow down so I could understand what was being said and asked, removed every single item from my luggage and went through every single one of them, opened my laptop and asked for the password for examination of the contents (and went through all of it: pictures, documents...), and questioned me on coming to Canada (Vancouver) "during the winter" (it was the very last week of winter, and Vancouver has a moderate climate to begin with; I was coming from Missouri, so it was funny that someone would make a remark about Vancouver "winter") since, according to them, it "wasn't normal for someone of [my] nationality" which is also incorrect, Vancouver has lots of people from the country I was born and it's a popular destination among students, workers, new immigrants who hold the same nationality as me. Then they asked me why I had $800 cash on me (they also checked my bank account, so they knew about my finances). "It's because I have money." End of story. Admitted into Canada.

And I didn't even come to get married, I only wanted to see him... We later married in the US.

MiriamT, what a terrible experience for you! I'm glad you were able to get through eventually.

 

[GustavesF]

Tell the thruth ! It is not illegal to come to Canada to get married. Make sure you have a return ticket .

This needs to be echoed a few more times. You should tell the truth. Don't get screwed by lying.

Bring paperwork showing that you have a home/property/apartment in Australia.
Print your return ticket.
If possible, pay your fees immediately, print the receipt, they get very friendly when they see you've paid fees. They might even give you a Visitor Record.

Honestly, the only thing you actually need is the fee receipt. If they see you have intention of filling out a PR application, they'll be very friendly.

 

[maple15]

This needs to be echoed a few more times. You should tell the truth. Don't get screwed by lying.

Bring paperwork showing that you have a home/property/apartment in Australia.
Print your return ticket.
If possible, pay your fees immediately, print the receipt, they get very friendly when they see you've paid fees. They might even give you a Visitor Record.

Honestly, the only thing you actually need is the fee receipt. If they see you have intention of filling out a PR application, they'll be very friendly.

Thanks, I will have a return ticket, and only one suitcase. As for fees, I'm not submitting my application until 2 months after I arrive in Canada. Do you think it's too early to pay fees?

I also don't have property or an apartment, but I live in my parent's house. What do you recommend I bring as evidence? A written note from my parent?

 

[GustavesF]

Thanks, I will have a return ticket, and only one suitcase. As for fees, I'm not submitting my application until 2 months after I arrive in Canada. Do you think it's too early to pay fees?

I also don't have property or an apartment, but I live in my parent's house. What do you recommend I bring as evidence? A written note from my parent?

You can pay as early as you want.

Can you bring some proof of employment?

 

[maple15]

Unfortunately no, I have resigned in order to travel - but I have a few university degrees and diplomas so getting employment is easy. I can mention that I am waiting for my IEC visa to be approved.

Hopefully a return ticket and letter from my fiance (who has excellent employment) that he can support me, will suffice.