Sponsor US spouse to come to Canada - one way ticket?

[AdeAhmed]

Hello,

Looking for the best way to approach our situation.

I am getting married in October. The religious/cultural ceremony will take place in Houston, Texas where she is from.

We will get married legally in Toronto.

In terms of bringing her here, can I do it on a one way ticket? As the intention is to move her to Toronto, she will obviously have quite a bit of luggage and such so it might not look like a temporary visit per se...

How do I explain at the border what is going on? If I explain the whole situation, will they understand and let us (her) through?

In terms of the 6 month stay, after 6 months is up what do we need to do? Something about implied status? Does she need to leave and re-enter?

Also - she is a pharmacist...if she wants to begin the process of licensing here as soon as possible, is outland the better way to go?

I recall reading inland can apply for the new work permit, but that it takes as long as outland anyways, and outland has less restrictions...

Thoughts/suggestions/advice?

 

[KelseyTVS]

The best choice for US/Canada couples is usually Outland, as long as your American partner is okay not working while the application processes (8-10 months).

As for the one way ticket, you'll need to convince the officer at the border that she is only visiting. A lot of luggage and no return ticket could be a red flag and they could deny her entry if they think she is moving there permanently. You could always buy a return ticket and refund it later.

When she enters the country, she'll have 6 months of visitor status. It's recommended that after 5 months she applies online for a visitor extension for another 6 months. She could also leave Canada and re-enter and be granted another 6 months upon entry.

 

[jamsham12]

Hello,

Looking for the best way to approach our situation.

I am getting married in October. The religious/cultural ceremony will take place in Houston, Texas where she is from.

We will get married legally in Toronto.

In terms of bringing her here, can I do it on a one way ticket? As the intention is to move her to Toronto, she will obviously have quite a bit of luggage and such so it might not look like a temporary visit per se...

How do I explain at the border what is going on? If I explain the whole situation, will they understand and let us (her) through?

In terms of the 6 month stay, after 6 months is up what do we need to do? Something about implied status? Does she need to leave and re-enter?

Also - she is a pharmacist...if she wants to begin the process of licensing here as soon as possible, is outland the better way to go?

I recall reading inland can apply for the new work permit, but that it takes as long as outland anyways, and outland has less restrictions...

Thoughts/suggestions/advice?

I have entered 20 times in the past year from U.S to Canada, i have been asked 1 time if i had a return ticket and have been there plenty of times without having a roundtrip ticket. IF you tell CBSA the truth that you are visiting, they will not pull you into secondary the moment they sense you are lying thats when it becomes the problem. If she wants to stay in Canada for the duration of the sponsorship, all she has to do is get an extension 30 days prior to the 6 months is up(which is what U.S passport holders get when entering Canada). On the CBSA customs form do not put 6 months for the duration of the stay put 21 days or 3 weeks as it shows she is only "visiting". Have her also bring proof of her ties to the U.S just in case you get an overly aggressive CBSA officer. Chances are she will have no issues.

 

[AdeAhmed]

The best choice for US/Canada couples is usually Outland, as long as your American partner is okay not working while the application processes (8-10 months).

As for the one way ticket, you'll need to convince the officer at the border that she is only visiting. A lot of luggage and no return ticket could be a red flag and they could deny her entry if they think she is moving there permanently. You could always buy a return ticket and refund it later.

When she enters the country, she'll have 6 months of visitor status. It's recommended that after 5 months she applies online for a visitor extension for another 6 months. She could also leave Canada and re-enter and be granted another 6 months upon entry.

thanks. may go the route of refundable ticket.

how many suitcases is too many do you think? 2 is reasonable i think, right?

 

[AdeAhmed]

I have entered 20 times in the past year from U.S to Canada, i have been asked 1 time if i had a return ticket and have been there plenty of times without having a roundtrip ticket. IF you tell CBSA the truth that you are visiting, they will not pull you into secondary the moment they sense you are lying thats when it becomes the problem. If she wants to stay in Canada for the duration of the sponsorship, all she has to do is get an extension 30 days prior to the 6 months is up(which is what U.S passport holders get when entering Canada). On the CBSA customs form do not put 6 months for the duration of the stay put 21 days or 3 weeks as it shows she is only "visiting". Have her also bring proof of her ties to the U.S just in case you get an overly aggressive CBSA officer. Chances are she will have no issues.

how do i tell the truth of visiting when thats not actually the intention? maybe buy a fully refundable ticket for a week or two after our reception date which is October 25?

does not having a marriage certificate at the border make it harder? legally we want to get married in Toronto, but we are only having a reception in Toronto.

Going on a honeymoon in December probably makes things even more complicated...maybe wait until at least PR application has been submitted?

also, what would you suggest as proof of US ties? she lives with her parents and doesnt have a US job..

 

[jamsham12]

how do i tell the truth of visiting when thats not actually the intention? maybe buy a fully refundable ticket for a week or two after our reception date which is October 25?

does not having a marriage certificate at the border make it harder? legally we want to get married in Toronto, but we are only having a reception in Toronto.

Going on a honeymoon in December probably makes things even more complicated...maybe wait until at least PR application has been submitted?

This is what i tell CBSA. I am here to visit my partner, we currently have a sponsorship application in process. I also am working in the U.S currently as client analyst. Then all they ask is how long are you here for. I have never spent more than 5 minutes with a CBSA officer. If you paid the RPRF, you can show that to the officer of proof that the P.R app is submitted

 

[KelseyTVS]

Two suitcases is probably fine. It's when you start bringing furniture and stuff that it looks fishy. i have never been asked for details when crossing the border, it's usually something like:

"Purpose of your trip?"
"Visiting family/friends/partner"
"How long are you staying"
"Three weeks"

And done. You should be somewhat prepared in case you get a really picky officer though. As long as you say she's visiting and not moving there, you should be okay. They don't tend to scrutinize Americans too much.

 

[AdeAhmed]

in my case, we actually wont be married until after we get to toronto as that is where it will legally take place...so i dont think I can really say that the sponsorship application is in process...

if I tell them she is coming for a marriage ceremony and show a fully refundable ticket would that be ok...

or just skip marriage part and say she is visiting us? although that doesnt explain why we are flying back together...

 

[KelseyTVS]

In my opinion, saying she's coming for a wedding celebration and having a refundable ticket for proof just in case is the best choice. Some other members may have other opinions or advice though.

Some sort of proof of her family ties in the States could be good too. Like proof of her address where she lives with her parents.

 

[Mapleson]

although that doesnt explain why we are flying back together...

So is the Texas part after Toronto or before? Definitely say that she is coming for her wedding (any proof is good support, but almost never needed).

Is the intention to come to Toronto for the wedding and stay quasi-permanently? If not, just bring what she needs for 3-6 months, and say the whole story. (Come for wedding, stay for honeymoon, apply for PR, return to US if/when necessary.)

 

[Snowisland]

I too travel to Canada from the Houston area. For over three years and I always told the truth. Most times border agents tease me about not marrying a Texas man or say how nice it is I can travel and still get a paycheck cause I am retired with a pension. One woman didn't like that I had no luggage and I told her the truth..I shipped my winter clothes to Canada cause I don't need sweaters in hot hot Texas. It was cheaper to send a box of clothes than to pay for luggage fees and no stress waiting for luggage at carousel. I have been asked if I had return ticket but never asked to prove it. Never asked for marriage certificate. Usually go for five weeks. Next time I am going for five months and will tell the truth. If you ship clothes when filling out the shipping form list used clothing so there won't be any duty. Cost me 60.00 to send a huge box with sweaters, bathrobe, sweats, etc. I only take carry on now. Just be polite and remember they are doing their job.

 

[AdeAhmed]

So is the Texas part after Toronto or before? Definitely say that she is coming for her wedding (any proof is good support, but almost never needed).

Is the intention to come to Toronto for the wedding and stay quasi-permanently? If not, just bring what she needs for 3-6 months, and say the whole story. (Come for wedding, stay for honeymoon, apply for PR, return to US if/when necessary.)

the texas part is first where we will be religiously married. Legally we are getting married in Toronto, so at border crossing into Canada we will not actually be legally married at that time.

Yes the intention is to come to the wedding and then stay until the PR situation is settled enough that we dont have to worry about border crossings!

My concern on the whole story is that technically she isnt allowed to stay until she is a PR right? I assume they would believe me if I say we are applying for residency, but maybe prepaying and showing that receipt would be a good idea?

 

[AdeAhmed]

I too travel to Canada from the Houston area. For over three years and I always told the truth. Most times border agents tease me about not marrying a Texas man or say how nice it is I can travel and still get a paycheck cause I am retired with a pension. One woman didn't like that I had no luggage and I told her the truth..I shipped my winter clothes to Canada cause I don't need sweaters in hot hot Texas. It was cheaper to send a box of clothes than to pay for luggage fees and no stress waiting for luggage at carousel. I have been asked if I had return ticket but never asked to prove it. Never asked for marriage certificate. Usually go for five weeks. Next time I am going for five months and will tell the truth. If you ship clothes when filling out the shipping form list used clothing so there won't be any duty. Cost me 60.00 to send a huge box with sweaters, bathrobe, sweats, etc. I only take carry on now. Just be polite and remember they are doing their job.

thank you. I feel like after we are married border crossings wont be a big deal, its just this first time that worries me.

Who did you use for sending this big box?

 

[Snowisland]

I used the post office. They supply the box and the rate is per box size, not weight. I took my stuff in bags and filled the box. Then to fill in empty space I used the junk mail that people left behind when they get their mail from their po box.

 

[AdeAhmed]

our travel is on upcoming tuesday but I am very nervous (i am naturally very anxious)

im thinking I will book a fully refundable ticket but maybe for 3 months out

i feel the truth is the best way to go: so we will explain that we are going to be legally married in Toronto as well as start the immigration process and I will pay the two processing fees as proof that we will be submitting PR application. the ticket will show that she will be going back.


Do you guys think that will be sufficient to get her through?

also i had some questions, in terms of health coverage what is the appropriate thing to do? get blue cross from the US and use that to the extent required? i guess until she is a PR she cannot get OHIP. I hadnt considered this before, but if she happens to get pregnant before gettiing her PR, that is a very costly thing to endure I assume?