Getting married in December, when can I actually move to Canada?

[tsayde15]

I am getting married in December while visiting my fiance in Canada. Once we receive our marriage certificate, we will then be applying for him to sponsor me so that I may move to Canada. Once he is approved ( I have read it takes a little over two months or so), can I move there? Or how long do I have to wait to move? I am in the United States. I have been trying to do all the research on this, but I would like some information from people that are going through this or have gone through this. Thanks!!

 

[zardoz]

I am getting married in December while visiting my fiance in Canada. Once we receive our marriage certificate, we will then be applying for him to sponsor me so that I may move to Canada. Once he is approved ( I have read it takes a little over two months or so), can I move there? Or how long do I have to wait to move? I am in the United States. I have been trying to do all the research on this, but I would like some information from people that are going through this or have gone through this. Thanks!!

In theory, you cannot "move" until you are a landed immigrant. However, you can "visit", with the intention of returning home. The "visit" can be extended while in Canada if CIC permit it. Don't use the M-word at the border....

 

[Ponga]

Take a look at this:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/visa/dual.asp


No, you can't actually `move' to Canada, prior to becoming a PR, but it's certainly possible to `visit' your spouse while your application is being processed.

Be prepared to satisfy any concerns the CBSA officer may have about whether or not you will leave Canada, if your PR is not approved, per the link above.


Good luck!

 

[tsayde15]

So I can just apply for a visitors visa when I am ready to go there? I don't plan on going there until mid summer, but I know my application will not be approved by then since it takes several months.

 

[Ponga]

You say that you are in the U.S., but...are you a U.S. citizen, or are you a visitor there?

If you are a U.S. citizen (or from a country that does not require a visa to enter Canada), you simply show up at a land border (or airport) and hope you get in; no visa required.

 

[tsayde15]

Yes I am a US Citizen. So I can just go visit him and stay while my paperwork is being processed? We plan on getting married in December, then I am going to stay here in the US until June/July. We know that I won't be able to work or anything until all the paperwork has gone through and approved, but do you think it will be okay for me to go stay over there while we wait? I just don't want it to mess up anything. I have own a home here that I can just leave my stuff at until I am able to actually move over there, but I just want to be there with him by summer.

 

[hillaryh]

Yes, you can visit him while your paperwork is being processed. That's what I did & you tell customs you are visiting your husband while your application for PR is being processed (or something ). I've never had an officer question me any further than "where does your husband live", but I travel with all my proof with me just in case they were to want to see proof.

I stayed Feb-August, and then applied for a visitor extension and my extension was approved me for a 2 year visitor extension ( I asked for a year and they gave me 2 ). Funny enough, my DM came 2 days after my extension was approved..