Mexican citizen to marry Canadian. Citizenship status?

[nkereina]

Hello! This is my first post here so please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong place. I am a U.S. citizen but doing some research for my friend. He was born and raised in Mexico and about 2 years ago, he married a Canadian citizen (from British Columbia). They got married in Mexico and she returned to Canada and they had to wait a little over a year before he was able to move to Canada with her. He has now been there almost a year (will be in September) and they are wanting to divorce (not getting along well, presumably due to not living together first...). I have a few questions:

1 - what would his current citizenship be? I don't know why there was a year delay before he was able to move to Canada. I assume having to do with visas and what not, but I am not familiar with the Canadian immigration law.

2 - if they divorce, would he have to return to Mexico? Would there be any remedies so that he could stay in Canada?

3 - completely off topic but just thought I'd throw it out there in case someone knows: what's the divorce process in British Columbia? Is it as expensive and time consuming as it is in the U.S.?

Thanks for any and all answers!!

 

[Leon]

1. He must know what it says on his passport but if he was Mexican before, he is most likely still Mexican. It takes a bit more than a marriage and a year in Canada to gain Canadian citizenship. I assume that his wife sponsored him for permanent residency of Canada so that would have been why it took a year.

2. If he became a permanent resident of Canada, he should have a PR card (like a green card in the US). As a permanent resident, he is allowed to live and work in Canada without restrictions. Getting divorced will not change that. The only restrictions are that he needs to stay in Canada for at least 2 years out of 5. If he leaves for too long, he will lose his status.

3. No idea but I had a coworker who was completely taken to the cleaners by his ex so I am sure it happens in Canada as well. Also depends on if it is an ugly divorce or not.