engaged to an American.. next steps?

[eternalrock]

Hey everyone,

I just got engaged to the woman of my dreams (who happens to be American). We've decided that we want to begin our life together in Vancouver (where I live). I am a Canadian citizen. We're trying to wrap our heads around everything involved with having her move here to Canada. We would love to get your insight and perspective on our plan

My fiancée is planning to fly out here next month. She will stay here for about 4 months while we plan the wedding and get ready for our new life together. She will be staying with a mutual friend during her time in Canada. After 4 months, she will return to the US to prepare for our wedding. We will get married in the US shortly after she returns. After getting married, we hope to honeymoon in the US and then fly back to Canada together. At this point, we will apply for her permanent residence (inland or outland, haven't decided yet). She will not need to work during this time. We hope it will all get sorted out within two years or so?

That is our plan.. but we would love to receive any advice/insight you may have.

A few questions that are on my mind:
1. Is it better for her not to mention she is visiting her fiancé next month? I thought it might be better to say she is visiting friends, which is true (she has made quite a few friends here in Vancouver and will be staying with them during her visit). However, we want to make sure we are honest with everything. Is there anything we should be aware of concerning this 4 month visit?
2. Is it possible we may run into issues after our wedding, when we return to Canada together? That would be a horrible way to start a marriage! I want to make sure I'm aware of all the possibilities so we can be diligent to do everything possible. Please let me know if you see any issues with our plan.
3. Is the best time to apply for the inland/outland visa after we get married? And once we're back in Canada?

Thanks so much for time and consideration. We want to make sure we do everything according to the law, and in a way that allows us to build a healthy marriage.

Grace and peace~

Jason

 

[steerpike]

Since she is American and doesnt need a visa to enter Canada you shouldnt have any troubles. You may be worried because you have heard/read about people being turned away at the aiport but that is because they are from countries that need a visa and the easiest visa to get is a tourist visa but the tourist visa requires you to promise to return home, so people who are getting married here and dont plan to go home dont qualify. So some people chose to lie a little to get that visa.

Anyway, long story short, none of that applies to you. Feel free to tell the whole truth just as you have told it and you shouldnt have any problems . As long as she is going back to the USA after her visit, that is all they care about.

Check the processing times, but I believe inland and outland have similair wait times for Americans. If you dont mind being apart and she wants to continue working in the USA, then do outland. If you want to be together and she doesn't mind sitting around the house doing nothing for a year or more, then you can do inland.

 

[MapleLeafBride]

She can also do Outland and stay with you (not working in Canada) during the processing time. She would just be here as a visitor. There are all sorts of threads with stories of people who do that. Americans are allowed to stay for up to 6 months and able to apply for a 6 months extension afterwards. Just make sure you stress after the wedding she's only coming as a visitor. She may have to show ties back to the US (licence, property, etc...). Outland should be much faster. While the CIC website says 15 months for Ottawa (where the American applications are sent), the average is supposed to be closer to 9. Also, as an Outland applicant, she would be able to leave and re-enter Canada. If an Inland applicant leaves and is refused entry back in for whatever reason, their application is thrown out.

Unless you are applying as common law, you have to wait for your marriage certificate before you can sponsor her.