Entering as a Visitor from the US - Extensions and Length of Stay

[cbelgrave]

Good Morning!

I received some really good advice on here yesterday regarding spousal sponsorship, so I have some follow up questions.

I am a Canadian Citizen living in Canada. My fiance is a US Citizen living in the US. We are getting married in August in the US, and then going on honeymoon for 2 weeks, leaving from the US. I've been advised that we should wait until we're married to file for spousal sponsorship.

1. If he comes up in March as a visitor, and stays in Canada until the wedding, we leave for Canada for 2 weeks and return, is that long enough away to restart the visitor visa? Or should we apply to extend it before we leave, maybe in July? He has a lot of family in Buffalo, NY, so we will be making frequent trips back and forth. I'm wondering if there is a minimum amount of time that you have to be gone.

2. Will we have an issue getting a visitor visa once we're married? Do we let the CBC know that we are intending to apply for sponsorship when we return from honeymoon?

Thanks in advance.

 

[scylla]

First of all - he should get a Nexus card now to facilitate border crossings.

The short answer to your question is there is never a guarantee whether he will be allowed back into Canada or not. Generally Americans don't have issues. But if he starts spending a lot of time in Canada and looking like he's trying to live here - you could run into issues. If you want him here for as much time as possible, avoid frequent and unnecessary trips to the US (i.e. keep the visits to the family in Buffalo at a minimum - have them visit Canada instead).

 

[cbelgrave]

Thank you again scylla!

The NEXUS is a great idea. I didn't think of that.

So we should not indicate anything about establishing a common law relationship or that we're applying for PR when he is crossing? I'm not sure what hurts and what helps at the border. Maybe there isn't a clear answer.