Bringing my girlfriend up to stay with me

[skulldark]

Alright so here is the what is happening. Pretty much, I plan to fly down to Arizona to meet up with my girlfriend and we then plan to come back up to Canada by driving back up here. So far so good, but what I'm concerned about is her possibly getting turned back at the border due to them believing she won't return. When she comes up here with me, she will only be bringing the basics of what she needs, clothes and etc, but we will also be bringing her 3 cats, as they cannot stay down there without her. At this point in time, she also currently has no money, no job, and no property or anything to go back to there other than just having family there. Which is a big reason why I'm worried that they won't think she will go back when the time is up.

The plan for when she is up here though is that we are going to be getting married and afterward applying for Permanent Residency, so she won't really be going back if we can help it. I just want to know what would be the best steps to take to avoid the possibility of getting turned back at the border, we really can't afford for that to happen. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Also, when we get to the border should we actually say that we are in a relationship, or just say we're friends and she is coming to stay with me for a bit? I know you're not suppose to lie, and I don't plan to, but I just want to know if that would have a higher chance for any reason.

 

[Baloo]

no money, no job, and no property or anything to go back to there other than just having family there.

From what you say it looks like she is going to try and stay in Canada.

If she looks like she is moving (3 cats), expect a rejection.
Without money, expect a rejection.

If you lie and get caught, it can result in a ban from entering Canada.


Read the notes for visitors:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

 

[skulldark]

I've given all the info on that site a look before. I've been researching for a while now as I don't want anything to end up going wrong. Everything seems like it would go fine, except for the detail of her not having a reason to go back. Is there anyway that would increase the odds of her not getting sent back considering her situation? We are willing do do just about anything to get this to work out. She is currently living with her parents right now as well, and were she to go back, she'd be going back there again. So is there maybe something that her family make up to show she has reason to go back or something?

I have noticed the mentioning of a bond on the cic site. But is this an option available to everyone, or only some cases? If this is a possible option, is there an estimate of how much it would be? The site says it's based on the financial resources and whatever else it's based on in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

And just to add this in there, the plan was to have me support both of us financially while she is here, if that matters or not to the topic at hand.

Thanks for any help given here, getting her up here with me means so much to the both of us.

 

[Baloo]

Everything seems like it would go fine, except for the detail of her not having a reason to go back.

That isn't just a detail, it is a major point for an IO.

Getting her into Canada may not be possible, what will you do then, have a backup plan?

All you can do is try, who knows, they may not question you.
There are no guarantees with immigration.

Good luck.

 

[skulldark]

There is no back up plan at this point in time, but I guess we should start thinking of one just in case.

Thanks for the info and the well wishes.

Another question though, would it make any difference if she say came here via flying instead of driving up here with me?

Also, I made and edit to my post but it seems you posted before I made it, so I'll just stick it in here as well. Since she is currently living with her family (Her parents) is there anything maybe they could prepare to give a reason that she would be coming back?

 

[Baloo]

There is no back up plan at this point in time, but I guess we should start thinking of one just in case.

Thanks for the info and the well wishes.

Another question though, would it make any difference if she say came here via flying instead of driving up here with me?

IMO it wont make any difference, all the information is in front of the IO no matter were you enter Canada.

Also, I made and edit to my post but it seems you posted before I made it, so I'll just stick it in here as well. Since she is currently living with her family (Her parents) is there anything maybe they could prepare to give a reason that she would be coming back?

The problem is that you need to convince the IO that she will leave Canada.
Ask yourself, what parent wouldn't do anything to support their child - ...... that is what an IO would also see.
Normal ties are a job, school course to return to, letter from her employer granting holiday time.... all that sort of stuff.

If she gets through everything is great, if she is questioned - you both know what the truth is, in the end the IO will know too.

 

[skulldark]

Well I guess since she doesn't have any ties, we'll just have to hope for the best. Thanks for all the information and assistance in the matter.

 

[skulldark]

Alright, I have another question now. Would it make a difference at all if we have already applied for PR? Like just waiting for it to go through and such. Would she be able to come stay with me under those circumstances, or would she still be turned back if she had no reason to go back still?

Or even if we were just married, and had not yet applied for PR, would that help? I'd assume no as that would make it seem even less likely, but it's worth asking.

 

[Baloo]

Alright, I have another question now. Would it make a difference at all if we have already applied for PR? Like just waiting for it to go through and such. Would she be able to come stay with me under those circumstances, or would she still be turned back if she had no reason to go back still?

Or even if we were just married, and had not yet applied for PR, would that help? I'd assume no as that would make it seem even less likely, but it's worth asking.

Try and separate the two things, visiting and spousal PR.

The thing is, visitors "visit", they don't "move".

There have been cases of US spouses being refused entry even when a PR is in process.
Canada does not confer any extra rights on people who marry a Canadian.

Even if you are married she still has to follow the rules as a visitor.

To be honest, if she had ties to her home (and proof that she will return) and was not bringing all the cats, as a US citizen she would be likely to be let in with very few issues.
You can't move to Canada, unless you do it the right way.

If you are ready to get married, go to the US, get married, start the process while she stays in the USA and in less than a year PR.
She could visit a few times without the cats.

Or just try and get in, at least you won't go into it without knowing some of the issues.

Oh, and as someone recently found out, she should be sensible and get health cover for her visit.

 

[skulldark]

Alright, say we weren't bringing the cats with us. That would increase the odds right? I don't suppose they could be considered ties either? Like having her cats back home, so she'd have to go back eventually for them. Not to mention, she'd still have all of her other belongings there, as she'd just be bringing what she needs to stay with me.

 

[Baloo]

Alright, say we weren't bringing the cats with us. That would increase the odds right? I don't suppose they could be considered ties either? Like having her cats back home, so she'd have to go back eventually for them. Not to mention, she'd still have all of her other belongings there, as she'd just be bringing what she needs to stay with me.

As I mentioned before - a visitor must "visit", the rules for visitors should be followed.
Ask yourself, does carrying three cats look like someone is moving??
We are both aware that you know the answer

At the border - What you need to get to is, "look like a visitor, act like a visitor, be a visitor". Be calm, if questioned answer questions truthfully while providing the minimum amount of information. Don't get angry or argue.

Once inside Canada, visitors can decide to get married, change travel plans, apply for PR, eat beaver tails (yes really very tasty).


There are no guarantees, no matter how many times you ask me
I am risk averse, I am not a betting man, certainly not with other peoples life choices.

Have a good trip.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[skulldark]

Alright, well thanks for all the help with this. It is very much appreciated.

 

[Baloo]

Alright, well thanks for all the help with this. It is very much appreciated.

Not a problem.

 

[Alienash]

Hi...

Im the girlfriend >.>

This news is quite dissapointing. I can understand making it look less like im "moving" would assist things. I guess we will have to set things up a bit differently than originally planned. I really appreciate your help with this Baloo. I also have a question...or two...

You mentioned a bit earlier in the topic that if needed i could stay in the US and in "less than year" I could get PR.

Is there a general average timeframe in which PR is granted? Is there anything we could do to speed up the process? And is marrige the best/fastest option in that case to ensure i am approved for PR?

Sorry i may be dragging this topic on a bit longer than needed, i just want everything to work out... and having all the information helps with the plans

 

[scylla]

I'll jump in with a few answers..

There's unfortunately no way to speed up the processing of an application. Making sure your application is complete (i.e. includes all police certificates, medicals, forms completed, sufficient supporting documentation) is pretty much the most you can do to ensure your processing is as fast as it can be. The rest is out of your hands.

For Buffalo 80% of applications last year were completed by 11 months. They're no longer posting an average. However it's certainly lower than 11 months and many of us here have gone through in around 4.

Marriage doesn't make the process faster by default. However if you go the common law route, then you have to prove that you have lived together for at least a year and this can make things more complicated. And you definitely shouldn't think of applying as conjugal since this class is very difficult to prove and typically does not apply to Americans. Regardless of how you apply (i.e. married or common law), they key is to provide strong proof the relationship is genuine. Marriage alone certainly doesn't prove that.

Hope this helps. And by the way, I agree with all of the great advice and information Baloo has given you about crossing the border.