Fiancee coming to Canada to marry, should she tell airport immigration this?

[chatsubo20]

So my fiancee is coming to Canada on a visitor visa so that we can marry at the end of the month. After that, we'll apply for PR.

Her friend went through the same process last year, coming to Canada with a one-way ticket and declaring to the airport immigration officer of her intent to marry and apply for PR, and it all went smoothly.

But I'm not sure this is a good idea, in general. Any thoughts?

 

[Zarilenth]

My husband came to visit me in Canada when we got married, but he had a return ticket and no intention of staying. He told immigration and they just said "Congrats!" and let him through.. So I guess it depends. If she is bringing 4 huge suitcases with her and everything she owns, she will bring up some red flags for sure. Coming to get married is fine, but coming to get married with no intention of leaving is not.

 

[Ponga]

So my fiancee is coming to Canada on a visitor visa so that we can marry at the end of the month. After that, we'll apply for PR.

Her friend went through the same process last year, coming to Canada with a one-way ticket and declaring to the airport immigration officer of her intent to marry and apply for PR, and it all went smoothly.

But I'm not sure this is a good idea, in general. Any thoughts?

I think her friend was very lucky.

I would suggest that your fiance enter with a round-trip ticket ( return being fully refundable) just in case her immigration officer is not as nice.

Absolutely tell her to disclose her intent to get married as her primary reason for coming to Canada.

 

[chatsubo20]

So the message seems to be : buy a return ticket, declare the intent to marry (and honeymoon after in Europe), but don't mention the intention to apply for PR. And if they ask about her intentions after the honeymoon, what's the best thing to say? Maybe changing to a study visa after?

 

[Zarilenth]

So the message seems to be : buy a return ticket, declare the intent to marry (and honeymoon after in Europe), but don't mention the intention to apply for PR. And if they ask about her intentions after the honeymoon, what's the best thing to say? Maybe changing to a study visa after?

If you have a return ticket, I don't see why you can't just say she's looking to visit for a while after?

 

[chatsubo20]

Yes, I suppose simplicity works best. Thanks for the advice, all !

 

[chatsubo20]

Though they might wonder why she would return to Taiwan alone after we're married ... or am I over-thinking this?

 

[Zarilenth]

Though they might wonder why she would return to Taiwan alone after we're married ... or am I over-thinking this?

Nah, my husband left to go home 3 days after we got married.. Although he was only going back to the States. I think you'll be okay, but I'm not an expert!

 

[chatsubo20]

Haha, ok thanks!

 

[Rob_TO]

Watch Border Security Canada, Season 1 Episode 7. An engaged couple (Canadian and Korean) try to enter Canada, and hide things from the officer. Officer finds out they really intend to get married, tell them they should have been honest to begin with as its not illegal to get married in Canada, and give her a 6 month visitor status.
This link may or may not work to watch the episode (don't install anytihng, just hit play): http://www.novamov.com/video/lb76oxjis0omx

 

[mikeymyke]

lol, his fiance is from Taiwan, this is cake-walk when it comes to getting a 6 month stay as a visitor, even if you intend to marry, why do people from visa exempt countries always worry the most about this issue?

 

[chatsubo20]

I'm not worried about her being able to enter the country on a visitor visa, this should be fine - I'm worried about what would happen if she mentions that we intend to apply for her PR in Canada afterwards. The general consensus seems to be : don't mention it. That, and make sure you have a return ticket.

 

[TG71]

Definitely keep it simple at the border. Unless they ask what your status is (once you have your PR) simplicity is best.

 

[steerpike]

Watch Border Security Canada, Season 1 Episode 7. An engaged couple (Canadian and Korean) try to enter Canada, and hide things from the officer. Officer finds out they really intend to get married, tell them they should have been honest to begin with as its not illegal to get married in Canada, and give her a 6 month visitor status.
This link may or may not work to watch the episode (don't install anytihng, just hit play): http://www.novamov.com/video/lb76oxjis0omx

Korea is visa-exempt. I'm so not so sure they are quite as understanding to people from non-visa exempt countries.

To get a visitor visa you have to tell them you are going back, prove you are going back, and sign papers to that effect. So if you show up at the border and directly contract that, then i can see a CBSA officer causing problems.

I'm glad CVBSA lets in people who plan to get married, i think its a good policy. But it is completely at odds with the visitor-visa policy.

 

[chatsubo20]

Taiwan is visa-exempt as well. When I say 'entering with a visitor visa', I just mean that immigration is letting her in for a period of time with the understanding that she is only visiting (ie. not for work or study).