Now What?

[Eric Parker]

I just married a Canadian Citizen on May 16th. My now wife now plans to sponsor me to move to Canada. I have known her since 2001 and we have visited each other several times before we married. I live in Oregon (US)

Questions to whomever can answer.

1. Will she have any problems visiting me now and going back and forth to Canada? We have read documented cases of Canadians being denied entry into thier own country because of their spouse not having a canadian PR yet while still living in the States? Will this also be exacerbated by us having a family application pending when she travels?

2. Our Daughter is planning to be married in August. Will an attempt by me to visit Canada at that time, while a family application is pending, jeopardize the application and have me deported and banned?

3. In regards to the form asking for so much anal details about my relationship with my wife - Much of what they are asking for we really do not have because we were not aware that we needed to keep every petty little item to prove our worthyness to each other. They ask for tickets, photos, all sort of proof that we have thrown away years ago. The only items we really have are recent tickets, passport stamps, photos, and records from the phone company of our daily phone calls and airline proof of our flights. Will this make it more difficult for the application being that the immigration officers are, supposedly, really anal and dysfunctional in their reasoning to have all that documentaion.

4. Lastly, about the passports...both my wife and I did not get passports until way after our relationship started in 2001. Even with that, both sides border agents don't stamp every time we go through. Is that a possible hinderance?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Eric Parker]

Just bumping up here.

Anyone out there with advice/suggestions?

 

[genio]

Hi, not qualified to give an answer, but,,,,as to all this supposed meaningless stuff they ask for,,,,After waiting 10 months, seeing others get visas far sooner, I have become quite cynical of this whole sysytem.Why so long, why so much supposedly "insignificant" detail. But, after reading about a few situations on here, it is obvious many people in the world will try about anything to get into Canada, legal or not. Marriages solely to get into Canada solely. So, while this does answer your query, maybe for us all, there are some good guys in visa offices really trying to weed out the un-desirables out before they get in. Hopefully a better Canada for that, just hopeing they really are trying their best to hurry along the process for us who will only make Canada a better country yet..10 months and waiting, but here's to positive attitude that good people are doing their best to speedily re-unite seperated families! Hope things work out for you friend

 

[rjessome]

Hi, I'll try to help.

1. Canadians are never denied entry into their own country. The people you are referencing are not Canadians or permanent residents of Canada and therefore have no status here. If you don't have status or if the CBSA officers don't believe you qualify as a visitor, they can deny entry. You wife is welcome home whenever she likes.

2. Extremely unlikely that you would be banned or deported unless you committed a serious crime. Visitors from the US rarely have significant problems entering Canada UNLESS CBSA (our border officers) believe you have an intent to stay and settle here without proper status. You have to be able to prove you will leave at the end of your visit. This can be accomplished by showing a return ticket, ties to your home country like a job, property, etc. The border officers may not ask you if you have an immigration application in process. Be honest with them. "What is the purpose of your trip to Canada?" "I am attending a wedding." Etc. Lieing to CBSA is NOT a good idea but you don't have to tell them your life story unless you are asked.

3. I know what you mean about that. I'm sure you have photographs over the years. Letters from friends and associates who have knowledge of your relationship for the past 8 years would help. Joint bank accounts, insurance policies, etc. will also help.

4. Visa officers are well aware of the lack of stamping between Canada and the US. There are a couple of places on the questionnaire where you can write in detail about your relationship and can describe your trips back and forth. Again, if you have vacation photos from your years together, label them with dates, places and people in the photos to provide evidence of trips.

Be aware from now on about what they are looking for and save stuff as evidence going forward in case they ask for it. And from your first question, don't believe everything you hear.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[Boncuk]

Questions to whomever can answer.

1. Will she have any problems visiting me now and going back and forth to Canada? We have read documented cases of Canadians being denied entry into thier own country because of their spouse not having a canadian PR yet while still living in the States? Will this also be exacerbated by us having a family application pending when she travels?

That is really a hard thing to predict. Some couples have no problems going back and forth.. Canadians won't be denied entry into Canada that seems odd.. it's the US citizen that gets denied entry into Canada as they fear the person won't return to their home country especially with a Sponsorship in process.. Whichever way you are travelling I guess you will have to prove ties that you will go back.. that's the best I can offer.. there are couples in this forum between the US and Canada in similar situations perhaps they can offer advice as well

2. Our Daughter is planning to be married in August. Will an attempt by me to visit Canada at that time, while a family application is pending, jeopardize the application and have me deported and banned?
Again see above, just make sure you have something to show if asked about your return.. pay stub from your job, home ownership, bank statements showing where you spend your money etc I would hope they would let you get through to see your daughter.

3. In regards to the form asking for so much anal details about my relationship with my wife - Much of what they are asking for we really do not have because we were not aware that we needed to keep every petty little item to prove our worthyness to each other. They ask for tickets, photos, all sort of proof that we have thrown away years ago. The only items we really have are recent tickets, passport stamps, photos, and records from the phone company of our daily phone calls and airline proof of our flights. Will this make it more difficult for the application being that the immigration officers are, supposedly, really anal and dysfunctional in their reasoning to have all that documentaion.

Look, you are an established couple married for years.. I was in the same boat a little less than you, I supplied them with recent tickets, passport copies of all pages.. pictures, greeting cards from him and family, and a letter from my family (me being the sponsor) that when we arrive they will offer us support till we get settled. I was approved as a sponsor and so far its going well.. I think the main point is to proove an ongoing genuine relationship.. when a marriage has lasted long as yours has I doubt it will raise any eyebrows.. so don't worry just supply them with what you have.. I also noticed you said our daughter.. meaning your step daughter or you adopted her? These kind of things also strengthen your ties


4. Lastly, about the passports...both my wife and I did not get passports until way after our relationship started in 2001. Even with that, both sides border agents don't stamp every time we go through. Is that a possible hinderance?

In wont be a hinderance as the officers dealing with your case would be aware of this. It's different when they are dealing with overseas offices than for sure they will be stamped.. so take everything you read with a grain of salt and apply it to your own situation.. I wish you and your wife the best of luck and if you have any more questions this forum and its people are very knowledgable.. take care

 

[Eric Parker]

Thanks all..

Boncuk - I just married her on May 16th. This is after a long distance courtship of almost 8 years. The daughter is actually a step-daughter. My wife runs her own business and may decide to add me on as a partner if immigration will let her. My step-son was my best man since a lot of my friends felt it was too much of a distance to attend a wedding.

For all to ponder...one last question...I applied for a PR under the FSW stream previously, but had the application sent back because of the change in NOC code procedures in 2008. Will immigration officials make this a 'bed mark' on my behalf when applying in the Famly Stream? Does getting married after the send back of the FSW appliacation (even though I was courting her, long distance, for 8 years) make it look bad?

Thanks all and hope to hear from all of you more!