Questions about girlfriend immigrating from the US to Canada

[Zarilenth]

Thanks for the response! All she is bringing is her clothing. So is it okay for her to buy a 1 way ticket to Canada or does she have to buy a return ticket returning in 6 months? Wow 5 months thats all?? That would be great, I thought it took up to a year! Was that $1040 paid all at once?

She can buy a 1 way, but she should be prepared to be questioned. My hubby (boyfriend at the time) bought a 1 way ticket to visit me, the first time he ever came to Canada, and he was absolutely grilled by the inspection officer, but to be honest my husband had no idea what to do or expect. They asked why he only had a 1 way, and he said he didn't know when he was leaving (exact date) and wanted to stay for the maximum amount of time he could, which wasn't the best thing to say... Then they asked for proof of funds, which he didn't have, he had to go to an ATM to take out a slip to show them. Then they asked where he was staying, but he didn't know my address (LOL) or phone number so he couldn't call me, he just answered "Toronto". The inspection agent let him in (to be honest I am very surprised he did) after an hour, but told him he was never going to become a Canadian so don't even try.. well look at him now, haha.

All I'm saying is be prepared. Tell the immigration officer she knows the 6 month rule, but wants to stay with her boyfriend while they fill out the PR app, and she will not overstay. Say she's just visiting, and she's staying with you, will not work or go to school, etc. Be thorough and you should be fine. If you're worried, buy a refundable return ticket and cancel it once she's here

 

[dj19]

She can buy a 1 way, but she should be prepared to be questioned. My hubby (boyfriend at the time) bought a 1 way ticket to visit me, the first time he ever came to Canada, and he was absolutely grilled by the inspection officer, but to be honest my husband had no idea what to do or expect. They asked why he only had a 1 way, and he said he didn't know when he was leaving (exact date), which wasn't the best thing to say... Then they asked for proof of funds, which he didn't have, he had to go to an ATM to take out a slip to show them. Then they asked where he was staying, but he didn't know my address (LOL) or phone number so he couldn't call me. The inspection agent let him in (to be honest I am very surprised he did) after an hour, but told him he was never going to become a Canadian so don't even try.. well look at him now, haha.

All I'm saying is be prepared. Tell the immigration officer she knows the 6 month rule, but wants to stay with her boyfriend while they fill out the PR app, and she will not overstay. Say she's just visiting, and she's staying with you, will not work or go to school, etc. Be thorough and you should be fine. If you're worried, but a refundable return ticket and cancel it once she's here

Wow lol that's crazy! I will defiantly make sure my girlfriend is prepared when she comes here. We would be devastated if for some reason she was rejected so we will make sure to take all the right precautions.

So just to be clear, is it okay to tell the immigration officer that we are getting married and we are going to apply for her permanent residency?

Thanks so much for all the help!

 

[Zarilenth]

Wow lol that's crazy! I will defiantly make sure my girlfriend is prepared when she comes here. We would be devastated if for some reason she was rejected so we will make sure to take all the right precautions.

So just to be clear, is it okay to tell the immigration officer that we are getting married and we are going to apply for her permanent residency?

Thanks so much for all the help!

Hah yeah, I think the immigration officer realize my husband just had no idea what he was doing. He told my husband he could easily turn him back, but I guess felt bad for him in the end.

Yes, it is fine. My husband flew up for our wedding, but he did have a return ticket for a week later. He said "I'm coming in to get married!" and they just said "Congrats" and let him through. We didn't mention applying for PR but I assume that is a given.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I will make sure to get a return ticket. So do you think there is a high chance of her getting rejected at the airport since we are not married yet?

no, not if she is prepared, knows what the rules are and knows what to say. they *may* give her a visitor's record which will say the exact date she needs to leave by, and not allow her the full six months, or they may let her in no problem. there's no knowing for sure until you get up to the border.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Proof of relationship: most people write up a sort of "essay" describing the timeline of their relationship, when they met, when they first met each other's families, any trips they took together or other significant events, etc. Include photos (you don't need 200, think about showing you two over time, with friends and family where possible, on vacations together, etc.). Other documentation includes: any accounts you have together (lease/mortgage if you have it, cell phone plans, insurance plans, joint bank accounts, etc.), travel itineraries, chat logs (from skype or messenger or whatever you use to keep in touch while you're apart), phone bills to show calls back and forth while you're separated, etc.

Keep in mind that a total stranger will be looking at ONLY what you send them, trying to determine if your relationship is "real and ongoing." Try to paint a picture with your proof that leaves them no doubt that you're really together.

 

[dj19]

Hah yeah, I think the immigration officer realize my husband just had no idea what he was doing. He told my husband he could easily turn him back, but I guess felt bad for him in the end.

Yes, it is fine. My husband flew up for our wedding, but he did have a return ticket for a week later. He said "I'm coming in to get married!" and they just said "Congrats" and let him through. We didn't mention applying for PR but I assume that is a given.

Haha thanks for telling me, ill make sure my girlfriend doesn't make the same mistake!

 

[dj19]

no, not if she is prepared, knows what the rules are and knows what to say. they *may* give her a visitor's record which will say the exact date she needs to leave by, and not allow her the full six months, or they may let her in no problem. there's no knowing for sure until you get up to the border.

Oh wow this is making me kind of nervous. We were planning for her to stay here the whole time the application is processing. Hopefully shes allowed to stay the 6 months. And just to clarify, after the 6 months how long can she extend her stay?

 

[dj19]

Proof of relationship: most people write up a sort of "essay" describing the timeline of their relationship, when they met, when they first met each other's families, any trips they took together or other significant events, etc. Include photos (you don't need 200, think about showing you two over time, with friends and family where possible, on vacations together, etc.). Other documentation includes: any accounts you have together (lease/mortgage if you have it, cell phone plans, insurance plans, joint bank accounts, etc.), travel itineraries, chat logs (from skype or messenger or whatever you use to keep in touch while you're apart), phone bills to show calls back and forth while you're separated, etc.

Keep in mind that a total stranger will be looking at ONLY what you send them, trying to determine if your relationship is "real and ongoing." Try to paint a picture with your proof that leaves them no doubt that you're really together.

Okay thank you!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Oh wow this is making me kind of nervous. We were planning for her to stay here the whole time the application is processing. Hopefully shes allowed to stay the 6 months. And just to clarify, after the 6 months how long can she extend her stay?

i would stay away from mentioning intending to apply for an enxtension. they can see that as intending to overstay. so she can ask to stay for the 6 months, it's just in the border agent's hands as to how long she actually gets. 1 month before the end of her current visit, she can apply online to extend her stay. many people request 12 months, and get it. there is a low chance of denial of extensions when it comes to spouses applying for pr.

 

[dj19]

i would stay away from mentioning intending to apply for an enxtension. they can see that as intending to overstay. so she can ask to stay for the 6 months, it's just in the border agent's hands as to how long she actually gets. 1 month before the end of her current visit, she can apply online to extend her stay. many people request 12 months, and get it. there is a low chance of denial of extensions when it comes to spouses applying for pr.

Okay will do. Also when buying a return ticket, can we make the return flight 6 months down the road?

 

[QuebecOkie]

Oh wow this is making me kind of nervous. We were planning for her to stay here the whole time the application is processing. Hopefully shes allowed to stay the 6 months. And just to clarify, after the 6 months how long can she extend her stay?

It's up to CIC. After submitting my app (we stupidly applied inland, hadn't found this great forum yet!), we requested and were granted a one-year extension to allow me to stay here throughout the process. You can ask for whatever you want, but it's up to CIC. You'll have to show that she has adequate funds to support her during her stay. For us, we just sent a copy of my husband's pay stub with year-to-date info on it (it was Dec, so it showed most of a year), as he was supporting me. H*ll, he still is, haha! (though I am finally bilingual and start my first job here Monday, woohoo! I know, not relevant at all, but I can't quit crowing about it, I'm so proud)

 

[rhcohen2014]

Okay will do. Also when buying a return ticket, can we make the return flight 6 months down the road?

sure.