Canadian boyfriend

[Idonteven]

Hi!

First of all, I have no idea if I'm posting this on the right subforum. I'm pretty lost.
I'm 20 years old and I'm from the Netherlands, I have a Canadian boyfriend, who's 22. He lives in Alberta.
We've known each other for about 5 years and have been dating for 2 years.

He's been to the Netherlands twice but he doesn't like it all that much and he clearly just belongs in Canada haha. I've been to Canada twice, once for 2.5 months, and once for 5 months. Both times on a normal visitor visa. Loved it.
Both those times immigration has been pretty rough on me, to be honest they really scare me hahaha. I stress about it the whole flight.

The whole travelling back and forth thing is really getting to the both of us and costs us a lot of money every couple of months.
I've been doing some googling on immigration and that sort of stuff, but all the information just makes me more and more confused.

I want to live with him in Canada, but where do I even start? He is willing to sponsor me, and we both want to get married, but then I read everywhere that once your married, it would be more difficult for me to enter Canada as he would be my husband, and they might not believe I would be returning back to the Netherlands when I have to?

Can we both get married in Canada while I'm on a visitor visa? Is it even a smart thing to do?


I am sorry for opening such a vague topic, I just have no idea where to start.
Thank you!

 

[Betina]

Hi!

First of all, I have no idea if I'm posting this on the right subforum. I'm pretty lost.
I'm 20 years old and I'm from the Netherlands, I have a Canadian boyfriend, who's 22. He lives in Alberta.
We've known each other for about 5 years and have been dating for 2 years.

He's been to the Netherlands twice but he doesn't like it all that much and he clearly just belongs in Canada haha. I've been to Canada twice, once for 2.5 months, and once for 5 months. Both times on a normal visitor visa. Loved it.
Both those times immigration has been pretty rough on me, to be honest they really scare me hahaha. I stress about it the whole flight.

The whole travelling back and forth thing is really getting to the both of us and costs us a lot of money every couple of months.
I've been doing some googling on immigration and that sort of stuff, but all the information just makes me more and more confused.

I want to live with him in Canada, but where do I even start? He is willing to sponsor me, and we both want to get married, but then I read everywhere that once your married, it would be more difficult for me to enter Canada as he would be my husband, and they might not believe I would be returning back to the Netherlands when I have to?

Can we both get married in Canada while I'm on a visitor visa? Is it even a smart thing to do?


I am sorry for opening such a vague topic, I just have no idea where to start.
Thank you!

You could definitely marry him while you're there.

Seeing that you are from a visa exempt country, I don't see why it would be more difficult to enter Canada as a visitor after that. I guess you could even apply for sponsorship while there (inland or outland). If you apply inland you may even prolong your visit more than 6 month stating that you applied for sponsorship, and I think you could even obtain a work permit (hope this is correct - I'm not very sure about the inland procedure).

 

[Sweden]

You can enter Canada, get married, and then he applies to sponsor you. You can wait in Canada, and given that you're visa-exempt, I would suggest applying outland.

The thing is: on a visitor visa, you won't be able to work. You will have healthcare as ALberta is one of the only provinces (along with BC) that allows coverage for non PR spouses. But... if I were you, I would look at applying for a work holiday visa. read here http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/netherlands-pays_bas/experience_canada_experience/working_holiday-vacances_travail.aspx

there is a limited number of them, and they go fast once the application opens. But - if you can get one, then you would be able to be in Canada, work legally, and wait for your PR to come through.

Read the first post by Leon "spousal sponsorship", the first page, it will give you an overview of inland versus outland, what is the process, etc.

When you come to Canada, at immigration, you have to be prepared to answer a few questions. It's best to arrive with a return ticket ( that you can cancel later on if you don't want to use it). Book one at 6 months, and most likely you will be given 6 months at the border. 1 month before your visitor visa expires, apply for an extension, stating that you are waiting for your PR to come through. Some people have been in Canada like this for 2 years without issues - so it's feasible.

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Line.a]

You can also apply for an IEC visa (working holiday) to come stay with him and find out if its for you. That's what I did when my partner and I first started dating when I was 20 and him 22!

 

[Line.a]

And like Sweden says. Definitely bring some kind of information and contact info about your boyfriend when you come visit so they can call him in case they are in doubt about your case. I got grilled at the immigration border the very first time I came to Canada.. So best be prepared

 

[Idonteven]

Thank you for the replies! Very helpful

I'll read into the working holiday visa thing, thank you for the tip!

Is there a amount of money you guys would advise for us to save up before we even start with the sponsorship thing?

 

[Line.a]

I think they are requiring you to have at least 1k in your account to be eligible to pay. Otherwise yeah definitely bring as much as you can its fairly expensive to live out here