Marriage before entering Canada first time or after obtaining PR?

[countyboy]

Dear All,

Finally, I got my visa and Confirmation for Permanent Residence (CPR). I have 6 months left to enter Canada.

I had applied as a single ( which I am at the moment) but I have an option of getting married before entering Canada or after obtaining my PR card, and it is totally up to me. I just want to know which one would be easier for me to sponsor my girlfriend ( who is not considered as a common-law partner which requires evidence for at least 6-month stay etc., therefore, I was not able to sponsor her before).
So, should I marry her before the visa expires and notify Canadian Office that I have married now, and would like to sponsor her too and enter Canada together, or should I enter Canada first alone, get my PR card, marry her and sponsor her later?
Someone please with experience or the knowledge of the matter, advise me. I would be grateful.

Bottom line is, I want to do less of the paperwork for myself and for her and speed up the process for her to get PR as well.

Thanks!

P.S If this is not the right section for this question, my apologies!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Dear All,

Finally, I got my visa and Confirmation for Permanent Residence (CPR). I have 6 months left to enter Canada.

I had applied as a single ( which I am at the moment) but I have an option of getting married before entering Canada or after obtaining my PR card, and it is totally up to me. I just want to know which one would be easier for me to sponsor my girlfriend ( who is not considered as a common-law partner which requires evidence for at least 6-month stay etc., therefore, I was not able to sponsor her before).
So, should I marry her before the visa expires and notify Canadian Office that I have married now, and would like to sponsor her too and enter Canada together, or should I enter Canada first alone, get my PR card, marry her and sponsor her later?
Someone please with experience or the knowledge of the matter, advise me. I would be grateful.

Bottom line is, I want to do less of the paperwork for myself and for her and speed up the process for her to get PR as well.

Thanks!

P.S If this is not the right section for this question, my apologies!

Hi

Common-law is one year of cohabitation.

If you marry her before landing, you must add her to your app. Expect several months of additional processing time. You will have to return your COPR/visa to be reissued.

If you marry after landing, you will have to sponsor her. As a PR, you must be living in Canada throughout the sponsorship process. If your spouse is unable to come to Canada, expect a year of separation.

 

[countyboy]

Hi

Common-law is one year of cohabitation.

If you marry her before landing, you must add her to your app. Expect several months of additional processing time. You will have to return your COPR/visa to be reissued.

If you marry after landing, you will have to sponsor her. As a PR, you must be living in Canada throughout the sponsorship process. If your spouse is unable to come to Canada, expect a year of separation.

Thanks for the info. Could you clarify the following for me please then?
1. If she comes with me to Canada later (as I marry her after landing), can she work? is she entitled to what I will be as well? Because if she can't work, then the cost of living increases.
2. Secondly, is paperwork hassle for her different under those 2 scenarios? what I mean is, I am OK to wait for additional several months for processing time and get new visas issued for both of us, if the paperwork ( such as IELTS, Diploma equivalency assessment etc.) is less cumbersome. Or does it not matter? For instance, does she have to take IELTS in both cases, have her education diplomas assessed etc.?

I know I am asking too many questions but would appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the info. Could you clarify the following for me please then?
1. If she comes with me to Canada later (as I marry her after landing), can she work? is she entitled to what I will be as well? Because if she can't work, then the cost of living increases.
2. Secondly, is paperwork hassle for her different under those 2 scenarios? what I mean is, I am OK to wait for additional several months for processing time and get new visas issued for both of us, if the paperwork ( such as IELTS, Diploma equivalency assessment etc.) is less cumbersome. Or does it not matter? For instance, does she have to take IELTS in both cases, have her education diplomas assessed etc.?

I know I am asking too many questions but would appreciate any help! Thanks!

1. No - she will not be entitled to work immediately. If she comes to Canada, you can sponsor her using the inland process and include an open work permit with the application. The OWP will be approved around 4 months after the completed application is submitted and she will be able to start working then. Note that if she requires a TRV to come to Canada as a visitor there is no guarantee that TRV will be approved.
2. No - she does not have to take IELTS in either case or have her education assessed. The risk with marrying and sponsoring her later is that she won't be approved for a TRV and you'll have to spend the better part of a year living apart.

 

[countyboy]

1. No - she will not be entitled to work immediately. If she comes to Canada, you can sponsor her using the inland process and include an open work permit with the application. The OWP will be approved around 4 months after the completed application is submitted and she will be able to start working then. Note that if she requires a TRV to come to Canada as a visitor there is no guarantee that TRV will be approved.
2. No - she does not have to take IELTS in either case or have her education assessed. The risk with marrying and sponsoring her later is that she won't be approved for a TRV and you'll have to spend the better part of a year living apart.

So what I understood was, getting married before coming to Canada is the best option? And after getting married, I have to notify the Canadian Office and then have to wait for months to have new visas issued for us? Is that correct?

 

[mohibulah]

When it say COPR 1 it mean single

 

[canuck_in_uk]

So what I understood was, getting married before coming to Canada is the best option? And after getting married, I have to notify the Canadian Office and then have to wait for months to have new visas issued for us? Is that correct?

Yes, it is the better option.