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Moving to Quebec to get married - crossing border with car and furniture

khudson7

Newbie
Sep 26, 2010
5
0
I am planning to move permanently to Montreal for purpose of getting married to a Canadian. He will then sponsor me for permanent resident.

My question is in moving there initially. I have a car and some furniture. I am totally confused as to what, how and HOW MUCH it will cost to bring these items into Canada(Quebec). The car is Nissan 2005 350Z, value approx $15K, along with small amount of furniture. I assume I would be considered a first time settler. What forms, and fees/taxes/duties will I have to pay. I am on a very limited budget so need to know before I approach the border. I have tried to review all the website and they are very confusing(RIV, CBSA).

Please help.
Thanks and all the best,
Ken
 

Canuky

Star Member
Sep 23, 2010
76
5
You will be DEPORTED like a good old Mexican. You cannot move permanently to Canada to get married just as a Canadian cannot move permanently to USA to get married. You have to get married first and let your spouse sponsor you to Canada. Until your permanent residence is issued, you cannot move to Canada. You can visit your spouse in QC while your paper is in process. You have to pack light anytime you enter Canada until you have your PR. CBSA are not fools, they will know you are coming to stay illegally in Canada and send you back!!!! Do not attempt to move permanently to Canada until you have your permanent residence, period.
 

BeShoo

Champion Member
Jan 16, 2010
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Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-01-2014
AOR Received.
28-02-2014
File Transfer...
03-03-2014
Med's Request
19-06-2014
Med's Done....
07-08-2014
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VISA ISSUED...
02-04-2015
LANDED..........
13-04-2015
Under no circumstances can you move permanently to Canada until you have permanent resident (PR) status. Once you have permanent resident status, THEN you can move in and bring your furniture. In the meantime, you will need to leave it in the U.S. with a friend or relative or in a storage unit.

Step 1: Come for a visit to Canada and get married. You will need to prove that you are only coming temporarily. Alternatively, you could get married somewhere else, but it sounds like you are a gay couple which may limit where you can get a legal wedding performed.

Step 2: Fill in all the forms and gather together proof of how your relationship developed to show that you are a genuine couple and not two people who just got married for immigration purposes. For some people, it can take 2 or 3 months or more to get everything together. You will need a marriage certificate, which probably can't be obtained until the marriage registration is processed by the province. One more thing while I think about it, if you get married in Quebec there is a 20-day delay between getting the marriage license and actually getting married. You need to pay at least $550 of the fees and send in the application.

Step 3: After 1-2 months the sponsorship will hopefully be approved and you can apply to Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate. The fee for this application is $250. An outland application through Buffalo, NY, is the fastest. So, the application then goes to Buffalo and you need to wait another 4 to 10 months (or more or less) for them to process it. If they need more information, there may be an interview in the U.S., probably in Buffalo or New York City.

Step 4: Once Buffalo ask for your passport, they'll put the PR visa in your passport. Then, you have to "land" in Canada. This is usually done at a border crossing coming into Canada. If you're in Canada at the time, you need to cross the border and then come back. You can bring your furniture and all your belongings at that time or bring a list of them to be physically delivered or brought in later. All your stuff, including your car, is duty-free as long as it's in used condition.

I'm assuming that you no longer will have house or apartment in the U.S., but if you come for a visit, you need to have a permanent U.S. address. You also have to show that you have "ties" to the U.S. that will compel you to return after your visit (at least if the PR might not be approved). Ties might include a job to go back to, property that you own, relatives that you have to look after, money in the bank, any kind of obligations. If you can't show that your ties to the U.S. are stronger than your ties to Canada, they will be reluctant to let you come at all, even for a short visit, because they'll be afraid you'll stay permanently, even if it's illegal.

It sounds like it might be hard to prove sufficient ties to the U.S. in your situation, but if you are able to, you can visit for up to 6 months, or whatever shorter time period they may give you. Once you're in Canada, you can apply for an extension to this time period, and if you've applied for PR or are at least well on the way to completing the application, an extension is likely to be approved for however long they think it will take to get an answer on the PR application. You can't work or go to school as a visitor to Canada, so you'll need to show how you're going to support yourself during the visit without working illegally. If you're short of money, you'll need your fiancé to show that he is the source of that support.

The tricky part is that you're not married now, so you're not eligible to apply yet, but proof that you're preparing an application (especially a receipt showing that the fees are paid) will add credibility that you're not planning to immigrate illegally. You need to plan this out very carefully or it won't work at all.

That's long, but it's really just the basics. You can send me a private message with more details if you want more detailed information.
 

BeShoo

Champion Member
Jan 16, 2010
1,212
36
Gatineau
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-01-2014
AOR Received.
28-02-2014
File Transfer...
03-03-2014
Med's Request
19-06-2014
Med's Done....
07-08-2014
Interview........
None
VISA ISSUED...
02-04-2015
LANDED..........
13-04-2015
One more thing I didn't mention is that you need a police record check from the FBI to send in with the application and that takes 8-10 weeks to get. Sometimes people's fingerprints are not good enough and they have to send off another application and wait another 8 weeks.

You also need a medical check, preferably just before you send off the application and those are generally cheaper to get in Canada. I think ours was under $200 total. You need an appointment, but we were able to get one within days in Ottawa.

Read the first message in this thread for additional general information:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html
 

potcakes

Star Member
Sep 14, 2010
65
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Have you not been an ANY website????, what makes you think you can just cross a border with a car load of stuff and get married, then settle????? :eek: Isn't that what the US is trying to stop the Mexicans from doing. I am sorry of I am coming across slightly blunt but with all the info out there, you obviously have internet access USE IT!!!
 

khudson7

Newbie
Sep 26, 2010
5
0
Thanks for the great advise....sorry if I sounded a bit naive about the process, but I do appreciate your answers to help get me on track. We are planning the wedding in Quebec in a couple weeks, but it does not look like I will be moving any furniture for sometime in the near future. I guess we will still have a lot of work to do before I can "land" in Canada.

Thanks so much for the great advice and helping me get my head screwed on,correctly. :eek: :-[
Ken
 

potcakes

Star Member
Sep 14, 2010
65
3
Category........
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Oh, Ken, If you think you are the first to be in this situation think again haha. I have a friend who turned up at the canadian border with 4 suitcases and a one way ticket, 3 hours later in immigration they let her stay for 90 days, which was generous.
I was lucky when I first came to Canada ( I turned up with 2 dogs in tow, its a long story!!!). You will be with your other half eventually, take a step back, read the websites including this one, and take small steps. You will get there eventually.
 

AllisonVSC

Champion Member
Nov 5, 2009
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khudson7 said:
I have a car and some furniture. I am totally confused as to what, how and HOW MUCH it will cost to bring these items into Canada(Quebec). The car is Nissan 2005 350Z, value approx $15K, along with small amount of furniture. I have tried to review all the website and they are very confusing(RIV, CBSA).
Since others have got you straight on the moving part, I'll just comment on the car. As described your car is admissible to Canada according to the RIV website. So when you land you should be prepared for the import/export of your car. There are several things you will need to do that are easier while you are still in the states. First is to get all recall work done on the vehicle. A few weeks before you land request a recall clearance letter from Nissan. At about the same time, request a 10 year driver's record from the state where you are licensed and a claim record from your insurance company. Also inquire has to whether your insurance will cover you while you are importing the vehicle to Canada. You will need to submit your actual title and two copies of the title to the US export office at the border where you plan to land. The copies must be submitted to the export office several days PRIOR to exporting so keep that in mind.

I imported my vehicle to Ontario. There were a number of costs and fees associated with the process including RIV fees, vehicle modification costs (you will need day time running lights at least, possibly more), inspection fees, registration fees and insurance. I can send you a rundown of what it costs me but I can tell you it ran over $500 easily and then insurance was $1000 more than I was paying in the US.

So while you are waiting out the process start saving for these and other fees... Allison
 

bobswife

Full Member
Jul 28, 2010
36
2
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vegreville
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App. Filed.......
15 oct 2009-AIP AND OWP 30/4/10
Doc's Request.
15 June 2010
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2ND MARCH 1 2011
Med's Done....
17 MARCH 2011
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
they sent letter to decision made and app was transfered to Edmonton Ab
VISA ISSUED...
hopefully soon!!!hope before may 31 2011
LANDED..........
soon!!;)
Hi Ken
I don't think for you as US citizen will be a big deal,because Canada and Usa are like brothers and the timelines between and both of this countries are short compared with another.Don't listen to much what the people told you,Better for you have professional advices.phone directly to Immigration and they will guide you very well and yes the nationality have lot thing to do in this matter.We are Northamericans...Canada,Mexico and Usa and we have regulations but of course the family come first,I mean we should have right to emigrate no only because our marriages.We Born,raised and live in our land which is North America..sometimes the "people"just make stupid comments about mexicans or mexico..but that just to me means one real big huge ignorance...but i can understand the level of education and poor cultural life,when I read...immigration process are fine for me and i am Mexican i have inland app and i haved done in 8-9 months and trust me Ken..some people just talk with poison in the tongue and every word they wrote here..just because is people jealous and grumpy,some are been deported or denied or rejected or what ever and they spend the life in the forum tryng push people down specially with feelings..just do your things right,fill everything right pay fees and you will be fine,if you do out land you can do it faster and stay as visitors which you just have to re-enter canada,back and forth.the Best of my lucks and hello to the people positive in this forum like Leon.bye for now,AJ
 

potcakes

Star Member
Sep 14, 2010
65
3
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AJ, I dont think there was any poisonous comments or thoughts in any of the postings, immigration doesnt care where you are from, the process is the process. No one on this site professes to be a professional, they (like me) comment on past experience, both good and bad. Please dont make and issue where there isn't an issue. Good luck to you in your immigration process.
 

BeShoo

Champion Member
Jan 16, 2010
1,212
36
Gatineau
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Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-01-2014
AOR Received.
28-02-2014
File Transfer...
03-03-2014
Med's Request
19-06-2014
Med's Done....
07-08-2014
Interview........
None
VISA ISSUED...
02-04-2015
LANDED..........
13-04-2015
AllisonVSC said:
I imported my vehicle to Ontario. There were a number of costs and fees associated with the process including RIV fees, vehicle modification costs (you will need day time running lights at least, possibly more), inspection fees, registration fees and insurance. I can send you a rundown of what it costs me but I can tell you it ran over $500 easily and then insurance was $1000 more than I was paying in the US.
No doubt that some vehicle modifications might be necessary because car safety regulations are slightly different between Canada and the U.S. I don't know a lot about that and Allison obviously knows more details from experience. Having moved from Ontario to Quebec a few years ago, I do know that Quebec requires a thorough safety inspection for all vehicles moved into the province, even from another province. I think that alone cost me about $85 about 6 years ago.

One good thing is that Quebec car insurance, for some reason, is much cheaper than Ontario car insurance. A least that was my experience. One other difference from Ontario is that Quebec liability insurance is handled through the provincial licensing agency rather than through your private insurance company so it's included in the fees you pay for your car registration or driver's license. I can't remember which.
 

AllisonVSC

Champion Member
Nov 5, 2009
1,455
64
124
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo - Conjugal Partner
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-08-2009
Interview........
waived
VISA ISSUED...
04-11-2009
LANDED..........
04-11-2009
Hi BeShoo,

When moving from Quebec to Ontario you have to undergo inspections too. I suspect every province requires it. It is funny that QC insurance rates are lower because I think they are the worst drivers (well...Montrealers anyway. I shouldn't cast dispersions on the whole province!) with the worst road conditions too.
 

BeShoo

Champion Member
Jan 16, 2010
1,212
36
Gatineau
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-01-2014
AOR Received.
28-02-2014
File Transfer...
03-03-2014
Med's Request
19-06-2014
Med's Done....
07-08-2014
Interview........
None
VISA ISSUED...
02-04-2015
LANDED..........
13-04-2015
AllisonVSC said:
When moving from Quebec to Ontario you have to undergo inspections too. I suspect every province requires it.
It could be. I never moved to a new province before.

It is funny that QC insurance rates are lower because I think they are the worst drivers (well...Montrealers anyway. I shouldn't cast dispersions on the whole province!) with the worst road conditions too.
I wish I could defend the whole province or at least the part outside Montreal, but my experience hasn't been good, especially in Montreal. I didn't find Quebec City to be bad, but the old narrow streets kind of stopped some of the bad behaviour. Anyway, I'm sure my insurance went down, but I had my company paying for my insurance before, so I wasn't that aware of the exact amount it cost.