short marriage, inland process or travel and outbound

[kittyandpipit]

I went to Hawaii for a month in October 2012 stayed with a guy I briefly meet online, fell in love, came back to Canada. Tried to enter the US again in Feb 2013, was denied entry. My American came here for the weeks...we decided we wanted to get married, so we did.

We haven't started any process, we always assumed we'd go back to Hawaii, but it was a scary experience at us customs and we really don't want to be apart again.

So I guess what I'm asking is, which avenue would be best, we want to travel so we could get everything ready, and do it while we're both out of Canada and US.
Or do everything from Canada and wait to travel.
Or! If we travel and come back and apply in a year or so...but if we choose these, is it guaranteed he'll get back into the country with me.

We both sold our belongings and got rid of apartments to afford traveling. But we both also have inheritance money. Some now and some later.

Also he didn't get a visa to come into the country, should he get an extension?

Thanks for any input!!

 

[Sweden]

As a US citizen, he doesn't need a visa to be in Canada, but he needs to stay legally here. So if his passport has been stamped at the border without anything specific, he is good for 6 months. If he is still in Canada, 1 month before his visa expires, apply for the extension online.

About sponsorship: he can be in Canada and apply outland, and there are very few advantages for US citizen to apply inland. If you apply inland, you will not be able to leave the country for 14 months ( or the duration of the application, currently 14 months). If you apply outland, you can travel if you wish, or be in Canada, or anywhere else...

Get familiar with the application forms, they are quite extensive and you will need to prove that your relationship is genuine. Start filling out the forms, send your application, and go traveling if you want! explain your plan and how you intend to return to Canada when the PR is granted.

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[kittyandpipit]

Thank you

When you say few advantages to applying inland, you mean from the us?

So we can do all medicals, background checks, paperwork done in Canada, which I assume is going to take about three months for criminal check.

Is it ok for me, the sponsor to not be in Canada while all this happens.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[laura8388]

Applying 'inland' means you are applying from within CANADA.

And yes, if you are a Canadian citizen then you can be in the US while the application is being processed - but you will be applying 'outland' (OUT of canada)

...its a confusing process but people here are awesome help Good luck!

 

[kittyandpipit]

Lol yes I'm sorry I still don't get it!!! The bottom line is we don't want to be apart.

The second is that we want to start building a farm/homestead in Canada as soon as next year, may/June 2014.

So he's not planning on going back to the us.

We'll apply for an extension in October, how long do they usually give?

We'll stay in Canada the whole time if that's what we have to do, (but would like to go away for the winter

I cannot be in the us because of denied entry, so that's not a possibility.

So as to swedens response to we can apply outland and be in Canada, it's just a choice of which paperwork to do?

 

[steerpike]

I went to Hawaii for a month in October 2012 stayed with a guy I briefly meet online, fell in love, came back to Canada. Tried to enter the US again in Feb 2013, was denied entry. My American came here for the weeks...we decided we wanted to get married, so we did.

We haven't started any process, we always assumed we'd go back to Hawaii, but it was a scary experience at us customs and we really don't want to be apart again.

So I guess what I'm asking is, which avenue would be best, we want to travel so we could get everything ready, and do it while we're both out of Canada and US.
Or do everything from Canada and wait to travel.
Or! If we travel and come back and apply in a year or so...but if we choose these, is it guaranteed he'll get back into the country with me.

We both sold our belongings and got rid of apartments to afford traveling. But we both also have inheritance money. Some now and some later.

Also he didn't get a visa to come into the country, should he get an extension?

Thanks for any input!!

My advice is, apply from the place you both are willing to be trapped in for the longest amount of time (years) with no chance of leaving for even a visit. [im not saying it always takes years, or that its always impossible to travel, but it's a good way to think about where you want to be when you apply. As an american/canadian couple you can probably visit and travel freely for short visits. For people from non-visa exempt countruies they often can't or they run big risks when they do]

 

[amikety]

Hi there....... I'm American and I've been "visiting" Canada continously - without leaving - since July 2011. It can be done. It's difficult if you can't work, but it can be done.

He can enter Canada as a visitor. At about 5 months into his stay, he needs to apply for an extension of his status. He can do this by mail, online, or go to the nearest border crossing and "flagpole." To be successful, he needs to show proof of financial support - so paystubs from your job (I always showed 3 from my husband) and explain to CIC why he wants to remain in Canada. This will be simple if you have the PR application in process. You just mention the application, reference your file number (if you have one) or offer proof of the application, such as a copy of your fee receipt. If you haven't gotten the PR application in process yet - it should be okay. Make sure to include the financial support and have a nicely written application. If you're getting married in a few months, explain to the IO your plans and how you will apply for PR after the wedding. (You can offer to show receipts for the wedding hall or other "proof" - just tell them you can supply if needed if you do it online.)

A couple of things:

If he's American and has a professional degree, chances are, he can get work with NAFTA. NAFTA makes getting a work permit so much easier! This could give him the option to be in Canada, work, and you two can live together for a while before getting married. Why do I say this? CIC hates short courtships and marriages. It won't be a huge issue for you (because he's American) but it can be a bother and give you a headache with worry.

When he crosses the border, he shouldn't mention he's getting married. Just visiting. Marriage = overstay risk. It doesn't matter that you want to apply for PR properly. A woman was denied crossing the border (by car) a while back because she had copies of the PR forms with her........ CIC takes the overstay part pretty seriously.

Also, Canadian's border agents have always been better than the Americans. I've only had 1 ever smile at me and it was the Canadian side....... so grumpy!

Let me know what else you need!

 

[laura8388]

If you are going to both be in Canada while the application is process, yes, you have the option of applying Inland or Outland. HOWEVER if you apply outland, you MAY require to go back to the states for the immigration interview (not always the cae, only if they doubt your relationship).

Just make sure if you are applying from within in Canada, he is here legally- with a visitor visa/extension after the first 6 months.

I believe the visitor visa extension is for 6 months at a time - not positive.

Can he apply for a 'working holiday visa' for while the PR is being processed? It is usually granted to people under 30 years old, so at least he can work

 

[amikety]

If you are going to both be in Canada while the application is process, yes, you have the option of applying Inland or Outland. HOWEVER if you apply outland, you MAY require to go back to the states for the immigration interview (not always the cae, only if they doubt your relationship).

Just make sure if you are applying from within in Canada, he is here legally- with a visitor visa/extension after the first 6 months.

I believe the visitor visa extension is for 6 months at a time - not positive.

Can he apply for a 'working holiday visa' for while the PR is being processed? It is usually granted to people under 30 years old, so at least he can work

No working holiday options for Americans.

Visitor's Records (the visitor extension for visa exempt) can be longer than 6 months. Mine currently one was valid for 14 months at the time I got it.

Americans almost never have interviews.

 

[kittyandpipit]

Awesome!! Thank you so much!

if we apply outland and get an extension on his time in Canada, can we travel in and out of Canada then?

Seems like applying outland is better if there is good evidence to support our relationship?

 

[amikety]

You can travel in and out. There is no guarantee he'll be allowed to re-enter Canada, but if you're with him and have proof of the PR application, the chances are good.

You'll need evidence of relationship either way you apply. Outland is generally the preferable method for Americans as it's faster than Inland most of the time.

 

[quebec23]

I met my partner online, then I came here to Canada, we started our relationship.
We had the choice to apply "inland", but usually it takes a while. But the good thing is that after 6 months, you'll receive your permission to work.

Even though being here in Canada, we applied "outland" in a hope that it's going to be shorter. We still don't know.

TWO DAYS before my visa expire, I applied for an extension as a tourist to be able to be with my partner. After 30 days, I got a positive answer and I can stay for 8 months.

IF by the end of this 8 months, I don't get any answer, I'll ask again for an extension.

It sucks cause I can't work neither have access to the health system, however I'm with the one I love. But nothing stops your husband to get a work visa and be fine here.

 

[kittyandpipit]

Another question...

Can he get his medical done in Canada cuz he is already here. Does this mean we have to apply inland?

Also I'm confused on background checks. Do I just go to the police station and they have the proper forms?

Are these both mandatory?

Thanks again!!!

 

[amikety]

Another question...

Can he get his medical done in Canada cuz he is already here. Does this mean we have to apply inland?

Also I'm confused on background checks. Do I just go to the police station and they have the proper forms?

Are these both mandatory?

Thanks again!!!

Yes, he can do his medical in Canada. Just let the receptionist know it's for an "Outland" application and which office you want it to go to.

No, you can only submit the FBI clearance as required by CIC. The RCMP may provide fingerprinting services, but that's about it. (I had to get mine done at a pardon center, police here don't offer fingerprinting unless you're also arrested..... No thanks!)

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp

 

[kittyandpipit]

Can I use fb msgs as a form of proving our relationship?

It was our main form of communication due to time difference/working schedules.