Change of address inland sponsorship

[liste]

I am planning on going down to the USA to marry my fiancée, then we would return to Canada and I would apply for inland sponsorship.

If I understand correctly, my spouse would need to get a visitor visa for 6 months (with possible renewal) while we wait for paperwork. Should she keep her USA address while she is here on the visitor visa, or should she change it to our Canadian address? Or would this depend on which paperwork, for example: driver's license vs bank, etc. etc.

Thank you!

 

[neuroCanadian]

If her passport is US then she doesn’t need, and won’t receive, any visa. What she’ll receive at the Canadian border is a visitor record. She should keep it safe.

I’ve heard that CBSA officers can be weird when very recently married couples arrive at a port of entry and try to enter Canada. Please remember that being married to a Canadian does not guarantee anyone entry into Canada. There is an appeals process and it is possible to legally fight the CBSA, although you won’t likely have to.
The CBSA officer will ask you how you will support her, since she can’t legally work here. They will ask about your employer and finances. In my experience, they don’t expect proof of these things and will simply ask you these things while trying to get a “feel” for whether you’re an honest upstanding citizen of Canada (or PR of Canada, depending on your status).

 

[liste]

OK, thank you! So if I understand correctly, she should not change her address (on her driver's license, bank account, health insurance, etc.) to Canada - otherwise they will think she is moving here, right?

 

[neuroCanadian]

OK, thank you! So if I understand correctly, she should not change her address to Canada - otherwise they will think she is moving here, right?

what specifically do you mean by “change” her address?

 

[Canada2020eh]

OK, thank you! So if I understand correctly, she should not change her address (on her driver's license, bank account, health insurance, etc.) to Canada - otherwise they will think she is moving here, right?

Your fiancee would only be coming to Canada as a visitor, she can't say that she is moving to Canada until after your PR application is approved. She can't bring all of her possessions with her either. She does not need to get a visitor record, she is or normally will be allowed to stay here for 6 months unless CBSA says differently, she can apply for an extension as you get near the 6 month mark. She can't get a CDN drivers licence or Canadian health care while being here as a visitor so she has to keep her USA address for her personal items like that.

 

[neuroCanadian]

Your fiancee would only be coming to Canada as a visitor... She does not need to get a visitor record

What? she’s a visitor therefore she doesn’t need a visitor record??

 

[Canada2020eh]

What? she’s a visitor therefore she doesn’t need a visitor record??

No, USA citizens can come to CDA without a visa, eTA or a visitor record, it is a reciprocal agreement, only enter on their passport if coming across by land and generally allowed to stay for 6 months unless CBSA has some reason to make it less.

 

[neuroCanadian]

No, USA citizens can come to CDA without a visa, eTA or a visitor record, it is a reciprocal agreement, only enter on their passport if coming across by land and generally allowed to stay for 6 months unless CBSA has some reason to make it less.

oh so only the US is exempt from receiving a visitor record? I know my partner came from Mexico, technically on Canada’s visa-exempt list, and still received a visitor record on arrival.

 

[Canada2020eh]

I am not an authority on visitor records but it is not required if you have a TRV, an eTA or are coming to Canada from USA for the first time if you are not trying to stay for longer than the normal 6 months time frame allowed. I believe if you have had problems entering Canada before you might be required to get a record. Did your partner request a longer stay that 6 months on arrival?

 

[neuroCanadian]

I am not an authority on visitor records but it is not required if you have a TRV, an eTA or are coming to Canada from USA for the first time if you are not trying to stay for longer than the normal 6 months time frame allowed. I believe if you have had problems entering Canada before you might be required to get a record. Did your partner request a longer stay that 6 months on arrival?

partner came using eTa + travel authorization for purpose of marrying me and applying for PR. But he told them he’d follow all requirements (including leaving Canada, if required). So they gave him a visitor record with “conditions: must leave by [date six months from then]” and the next day, he received a PDF by email saying “Your application to remain in Canada as a temporary resident has been approved...”

Never had problems at the border / port of entry prior, however, a few days earlier, his airline refused to board him when they realized he had Mexican passport and a one way ticket. So we bought a round trip ticket and a few days later he came without any big issues. I mean, the CBSA officer kept him over two hours and called my phone (I was in the airport parking lot waiting) to ask me about my finances and employment. I had no experience with such a situation before but I was given legal advice to try it this way.

 

[Canada2020eh]

partner came using eTa + travel authorization for purpose of marrying me and applying for PR. But he told them he’d follow all requirements (including leaving Canada, if required). So they gave him a visitor record with “conditions: must leave by [date six months from then]” and the next day, he received a PDF by email saying “Your application to remain in Canada as a temporary resident has been approved...”

Never had problems at the border / port of entry prior, however, a few days earlier, his airline refused to board him when they realized he had Mexican passport and a one way ticket. So we bought a round trip ticket and a few days later he came without any big issues. I mean, the CBSA officer kept him over two hours and called my phone (I was in the airport parking lot waiting) to ask me about my finances and employment. I had no experience with such a situation before but I was given legal advice to try it this way.

I don't know for sure but maybe since your fiancee said he was coming to get married and apply for PR CBSA thought they should have a permit? Anyways, it's not a requirement to get one if just coming for a visit.