Marriage and moving to Canada?

[flygirls2]

Hi all,
I'm an American citizen and I'm marrying a Canadian citizen. I'm not eligible for the work/student visas. Is there a way for me to relocate to Canada temporarily pending the wedding? Is it allowed for me to travel to Canada on a visitors visa for the 6 months maximum -- followed by wedding and sponsorship?

It's looking more and more like it may be necessary to marry prior to relocating, although this is not ideal.

Thanks!

 

[gersonjaijai]

Hi all,
I'm an American citizen and I'm marrying a Canadian citizen. I'm not eligible for the work/student visas. Is there a way for me to relocate to Canada temporarily pending the wedding? Is it allowed for me to travel to Canada on a visitors visa for the 6 months maximum -- followed by wedding and sponsorship?

It's looking more and more like it may be necessary to marry prior to relocating, although this is not ideal.

Thanks!

As an American citizen I don't think you need any visitors visa to stay in Canada, actually, if you go through the border by car, the border services of Canada will just look at your passport then let you pass... they might ask you some minor questions regarding the propose of your visit, in most cases they will just concern about duty tax issues...

after your wedding, you could consider to stay in US or Canada, meanwhile you are eligible to apply the family sponsorship.

 

[flygirls2]

So I can stay in Canada throughout the application process, correct (once married)? However, if I leave- I may not be allowed to return?

 

[gersonjaijai]

So I can stay in Canada throughout the application process, correct (once married)? However, if I leave- I may not be allowed to return?

Technically, yes you can stay in Canada throughout the application process.

As long as you are NOT working or studying in Canada, even your driver's licence is good to use in Canada within expiration day, no one cares if you are a Canadian or American.

If you leave, you may have minor chance not allowing to re-entry Canada, depends on whether the border services agent is questioning your propose or they know you are in the processing of P.R.

 

[MapleLeafBride]

Just be careful how much you bring across the border with you if you are going up before the wedding. Back when my husband and I were dating (he's American), he came to visit for a month while in between jobs. He had to go down for Buffalo for something and when he returned to Canada (I was in the car with him), the border guards pulled him over, interviewed him, and said he could only keep visiting for another month (even though we were well under 6 months) before he had to leave and then prove he had an American job before he kept visiting. They even stamped his passport with the date he had to leave.
Since then, we've had no problem with him entering Canada, but then we're living a part during this whole process, which isn't too much fun.

 

[canadianwoman]

Hi all,
I'm an American citizen and I'm marrying a Canadian citizen. I'm not eligible for the work/student visas. Is there a way for me to relocate to Canada temporarily pending the wedding? Is it allowed for me to travel to Canada on a visitors visa for the 6 months maximum -- followed by wedding and sponsorship?

It's looking more and more like it may be necessary to marry prior to relocating, although this is not ideal.

Thanks!

You can come to Canada as a visitor. You do not need any visa. When you talk to the border agents, just say you are coming to visit. Do not mention anything about moving to Canada, or coming here to live. They may want proof of your ties to the USA, so prepare things like a copy of your bank account or any investments, mortgage, lease, a letter from your boss giving you time off, a return ticket - anything that would apply in your situation. They rarely ask for any of this, but if you can get some of it, it is best to be prepared.
While in Canada you cannot study or work. You are visiting. Usually you can stay for 6 months, unless the border agent gives you less. You can apply to extend this time about one month before it expires.