Spousal Sponsorship - Nikah vs. Civil Marriage

[whatchamamacallit]

Hello

Some background:

1) I am a Canadian Citizen and my wife is of French nationality.
2) We got our Nikah done in December 2019. Due to COVID, our travel plans changed and we finally finished the rest of the wedding ceremonies (Ruksati etc) in September 2020 rather than delaying further.
3) I am now planning to use the Nikah Certificate (translated into English) for her to fly back to Canada with me to attain a 6-month visit visa for Canada (we already have her return flight booked under the 6-month stay period).

Questions:
1) When she is in Canada, we were planning to get a Civil Marriage done and use that for the application. Is that a smart move? I'd rather go that route than use our Nikah document and provide photos, chats, emails, etc. which can be private.
2) If yes to (1), should I also include the Nikah details as a separate document or pretend that it never happened?

Any other tips/recommendations for me?

Thanks!

 

[armoured]

Was it an arranged marriage?

 

[armoured]

At any rate - note, not an expert in wedding customs locally - the key is completing the full local traditions (as it sounds you have done, but again, do not know).

If your spouse has a French passport, does not need a visa to enter Canada but ETA.

Do NOT pretend the ceremonies were not held. Tell the truth about it.

You need to check with a lawyer - in principle, you cannot have another 'civil' marriage in Canada if already legally married in another country. The key is completing the full cycle and having the documents confirming that it was a binding, legal marriage. (IRCC will want documentation of the full cycle, not just the minimum legal requirements acc to local law). A key note: it is possible that this may be different than in France. Your spouse will need to document the marriage as spouse to be able to travel to Canada with you, regardless of nationality (covid rules).

Apart from these important details: it will be very important for you both to spend time together, residing together, as much as possible. Since (if all goes well) she can enter Canada on a six month visa waiver, residing together for the interim period and then applying for PR as spouse and visitor extension may be wise. That time living together will be given considerable weight. The downside is delay in getting work permit compared to applying earlier.

But again, please get input from others who know the relevant customs.