UK citizen marrying a Canadian citizen

[dj322]

Hi all,

I am a UK citizen who is going to be marrying my Canadian fiancee shortly and wanted some advice:

1) We have known eachother since April this year and met in person in June. We are planning on getting married in Canada and I wanted to know what is advisable in terms of the purpose of my visit for when I visit to get married. I have heard that mentioning I am visiting to marry my fiancee is not a good idea. But I'd rather tell the truth rather than risk messing things up...any suggestions?

2) Do I need to apply for some kind of marriage visa?

3) I plan to come back to the UK and make an outland application. Would I be allowed to visit my then wife and live with her as a visitor for a short period of time as I understand as a UK citizen I can stay for 6 months but am not allowed to work, would need sufficient funds in my bank and need a return ticket. We want to be together as soon as possible as we are very much in love and are finding it hard to be without eachother.

Thanks in advance.

 

[canadianwoman]

1) ... I have heard that mentioning I am visiting to marry my fiancee is not a good idea. But I'd rather tell the truth rather than risk messing things up...any suggestions?

UK citizens can visit Canada without a visa, and are not usually grilled by the border agents. You could just say you are coming for a vacation, which is true after all. I would not say you are coming to get married, though people have done so and gotten in.

2) Do I need to apply for some kind of marriage visa?

No. You can come in without a visa as a visitor. After you are married you can apply for PR as a sponsored spouse.

3) I plan to come back to the UK and make an outland application. Would I be allowed to visit my then wife and live with her as a visitor for a short period of time as I understand as a UK citizen I can stay for 6 months but am not allowed to work, would need sufficient funds in my bank and need a return ticket.

Basically, when the border agent talks to you, he/she wants to know that you are just visiting. So having a plan to go back to the UK is good: a return ticket with a date, money in the bank, proof of other ties to the UK (apartment lease, job proof, etc.) This other evidence is rarely asked for, but if you have some, bring it just in case.
You can apply 'outland' when you are in the UK, or when you are in Canada. If you are in Canada and apply outland, you are in Canada as a visitor.