PR looking to marry Colombian gf and habe her live in Canada.

[iggypump]

Serious relationship. I have kids and she doesnt. I am 10 years older than her. Would it be best for me to marry her there or for her to come visit for a couole weeks and marry me here? I am worried she wont be approved for visitors visa if they know we are marrying in Canada on her first visit. I also have not yet been to Colombia. I want to make this experience as easy and affordable as possible. Has any9ne been in a similar situation? It feels very overwhelming.

 

[Rob_TO]

Serious relationship. I have kids and she doesnt. I am 10 years older than her. Would it be best for me to marry her there or for her to come visit for a couole weeks and marry me here? I am worried she wont be approved for visitors visa if they know we are marrying in Canada on her first visit. I also have not yet been to Colombia. I want to make this experience as easy and affordable as possible. Has any9ne been in a similar situation? It feels very overwhelming.

If she's never been to Canada and you've never been to Colombia, have you actually met each other in person?

Hopefully you have spent sufficient time together in person, before you are thinking about getting married.

 

[scylla]

Have you met in person yet? If not - don't get married on the first visit to meet each other in person. This is a red flag for CIC and will most likely extend the processing of your application significantly and create the risk of a refusal. Make sure you take a couple of visits just to see each other before you actually marry.

You can sponsor her regardless of where you get married. I would start by having her apply for a visitor visa. If the visitor visa is refused, then the only choice you'll have is to travel do Colombia to marry her there. If it's approved, you'll have several options.

 

[acfajardo]

Have you met personally? How long have you known each other and how long have you been together? As everyone already said, marrying on the first visit will really raise a red flag and I don't think that would help your case.

Also, have you introduced her to your kids? Your friends? Family? If not then that's another red flag.

You've already cited your age gap which CIC may raise as another red flag. The difference in nationality is also something they take into account. Many international couples' applications take much longer as they really scrutinize whether or not the relationship is genuine. Sad to say but they really doubt the intentions of people from less developed countries.

If you really want for the sponsorship to work out, take substantial time to visit her. Atleast twice or thrice. Cohabitate during that period and work out evidences that will prove that your relationship is real.

 

[canadianwoman]

I want to make this experience as easy and affordable as possible.

It might seem like the easiest, cheapest, and fastest option would be to get married as soon as possible and then apply. But in fact this option will end up being difficult, expensive, and slow.

It is better to meet her a few times, spending as much time as possible together, before getting married. At the very least, do not get married the first time you meet in person.

Your application will be processed much more quickly, and you are more likely to get an approval, if you first take the time to get to know each other in person. Appeals can take two years, and cost thousands of dollars. Do things now such that you have the highest chance of being accepted.

One tip: the visa officers expect the stepparent to know a lot about their stepchildren, and to have as good a relationship with them as is possible under the circumstances. Make sure your girlfriend knows a lot about your children, and that they get to know each other - even if it is just conversations over Skype or whatever.

 

[iggypump]

What if we can only visit for a couple week max back and forth once, and then get married on the third occasion here or there? We both work, i can't go live with her for an extended period, and vice versa.

We will probably be in contact online/skype for at least 2 years before we are able to meet, as we need to save money and she is finishing school

 

[canadianwoman]

The third visit might be OK. The real problem would be if you got married on the first visit. After that things get easier.
It depends on a lot of other factors as well. Gather as much proof as possible that your relationship is genuine; and keep all proof of any trips you make to go see her, or that the two of you take together.

 

[iggypump]

If I visit there once, and she comes here the second time, and then i bring her back for a third time..can she stay that third time after we get married during said third visit, and wait here during the sponsorship application?

 

[canadianwoman]

If you apply inland, she can stay while the application is being processed.
If you apply outland, she can stay for as long as her visitor visa allows. She can also apply to have the TRV extended while she waits.

If she cannot get a visa to enter Canada, you will have to apply outland and she will not be able to stay in Canada while waiting.