Marrying a British Citizen and remaining in Canada

[chelsea2315]

I am from Canada, and my fiancé is from the UK. We have been together for 7 years, engaged for 3. We want to have a wedding and start a family. My understanding is that we can marry in Canada quite easily, it is the 'after the marriage' bit that gets more difficult. How does he remain in Canada with me after we get married? And could he be an entrepreneur in Canada?

Also, if we marry in Canada, what flexibility does this give us, being married, in terms of going back to the UK?

Thank you in advance to anyone that can help us!!

 

[scylla]

Post your question to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum.

 

[Rob_TO]

I am from Canada, and my fiancé is from the UK. We have been together for 7 years, engaged for 3. We want to have a wedding and start a family. My understanding is that we can marry in Canada quite easily, it is the 'after the marriage' bit that gets more difficult. How does he remain in Canada with me after we get married?

Where are you currently residing?
And have you been living together at least 1 year? If so then you are already officially common-law, and could start his sponsorship for PR immediately (no need to wait until you're married).

However you apply for his PR, its recommended you do an OUTLAND application that will most likely be processed through London visa office and take under a year. With a long relationship and engagement, his app should have no red flags and see a quick processing time. During the time the outland app is processing, he can stay in Canada as a VISITOR. He will need to keep extending his visitor status as it comes due, until his app is approved and he lands as a PR.

And could he be an entrepreneur in Canada?

I don't think so. He can research other immigration streams to see other ways to get PR status, but really being sponsored by you is probably the easiest option.
In order to work in Canada while his app is processing there are basically only 2 ways:
1. Go through IEC/working holiday program for UK citizens, for an open work permit
2. Find a Canadian employer willing to go through LMIA process to hire him under a closed work permit. Since this is expensive and takes effort from employer, usually only those with specific skills can do this successfully

There is actually a 3rd way but it's not recommended:
3. Apply for his PR INLAND, and he'll get an OWP after around 4 months. However the inland process takes well over 2 years to process, during which time it's a risk to leave Canada.

Also, if we marry in Canada, what flexibility does this give us, being married, in terms of going back to the UK?

I don't know, you'll need to read up on UK immigration laws for that.