US to Canada, I'm new here and could really use some advice!

[SamanthaRL]

Hi everyone, I just have a couple questions and I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post!

My fiance and I have been together for almost 7 years now and we want to end the distance, he is talking about moving up here with me and I was just wondering if there were any guides we could use for the whole visa process as it is kind of intimidating. We are both 22 and I hope our age isn't too young, I am living with my sister and he will be staying with us as well so financially he will be fine.

From what I have been reading the most efficient way of applying would be for us to get married (which we want to do anyways) and then I apply to sponsor him, I understand there are outland and inland applications? I think we are leaning towards outland as our preferred route so he can still travel if need be, is he allowed to still work in the U.S while this processes?

Thank you for any advice, I'm so scared/nervous/excited!

 

[lleahdoll]

You are correct. Outland would probably be best if he plans on traveling fairly often. Because they could deny him entry and if you did inland they would trash his file.

Him still working in the US is actually ideal. Because he will then show ties to the US. Meaning he still has business in the US and won't just start moving illegally to Canada.

I am new to this process as well but have been researching for a year now!!

Good luck! And if you have any questions, feel free to bounce them off me! I can tell you what others have told me.

 

[kcorbin]

Hey SamanthaRL! Welcome to the forum! =)

Like lleahdoll, I'm also in the process of ironing things out and starting our application package. I know the process can really drive you crazy.. So let's be crazy and bounce off questions together!

I agree with what lleahdoll said, it is best if he would still be working in the US as it shows he has solid ties in the US.

I'm assuming he's an american citizen so it is recommended (by what others have said and what I have read) that you go guys for outland. That's what my fiance and I are going to do as well. It would definitely be a lot faster since the current ones I've encountered here were processed for an average of 8 months for US outland applicants. And he can easily cross back and forth as long as it doesnt seem like he is "living" in Canada and does not seem likely to overstay his visit.. But he will always be questioned every time he enters Canada...

If I may ask, where do you plan to get married?

 

[SamanthaRL]

You are correct. Outland would probably be best if he plans on traveling fairly often. Because they could deny him entry and if you did inland they would trash his file.

Him still working in the US is actually ideal. Because he will then show ties to the US. Meaning he still has business in the US and won't just start moving illegally to Canada.

I am new to this process as well but have been researching for a year now!!

Good luck! And if you have any questions, feel free to bounce them off me! I can tell you what others have told me.

Thank you so much! Yeah, this is pretty crazy but I am glad we have some options that don't seem /as/ intimidating.
Good luck on your application!

 

[SamanthaRL]

Hey SamanthaRL! Welcome to the forum! =)

Like lleahdoll, I'm also in the process of ironing things out and starting our application package. I know the process can really drive you crazy.. So let's be crazy and bounce off questions together!

I agree with what lleahdoll said, it is best if he would still be working in the US as it shows he has solid ties in the US.

I'm assuming he's an american citizen so it is recommended (by what others have said and what I have read) that you go guys for outland. That's what my fiance and I are going to do as well. It would definitely be a lot faster since the current ones I've encountered here were processed for an average of 8 months for US outland applicants. And he can easily cross back and forth as long as it doesnt seem like he is "living" in Canada and does not seem likely to overstay his visit.. But he will always be questioned every time he enters Canada...

If I may ask, where do you plan to get married?

Thank you! I guess outland is really what we will be applying for then. If we happen to need an interview, do you know where he will have to go? Do I have to go as well? He lives in Texas, when we apply outland I guess I apply at the Mississauga office? Is that where we will also have our interviews? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again

Oh, and we plan on getting married here in Canada I believe, It's not illegal right? Canada doesn't use a K1 Fiance visa so I imagine that him coming here with the intent on getting married isn't bending any rules?
We are going to probably go to a court house and get married, saving our ceremony for a later date, is this also alright?

 

[missmatalini]

Thank you! I guess outland is really what we will be applying for then. If we happen to need an interview, do you know where he will have to go? Do I have to go as well? He lives in Texas, when we apply outland I guess I apply at the Mississauga office? Is that where we will also have our interviews? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again

Oh, and we plan on getting married here in Canada I believe, It's not illegal right? Canada doesn't use a K1 Fiance visa so I imagine that him coming here with the intent on getting married isn't bending any rules?
We are going to probably go to a court house and get married, saving our ceremony for a later date, is this also alright?

Getting married in Canada won't be bending any rules I came from Virginia to British Columbia to get married to my husband. In BC they have marriage commissioners - not courthouses (I'm not sure if that's a nationwide thing or BC only) So we just set up an appointment, the commissioner met us at a relatives house and we tied the knot - We are having a "vow renewal" and huge reception back in my hometown this coming October.

 

[kcorbin]

Thank you! I guess outland is really what we will be applying for then. If we happen to need an interview, do you know where he will have to go? Do I have to go as well? He lives in Texas, when we apply outland I guess I apply at the Mississauga office? Is that where we will also have our interviews? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again

Oh, and we plan on getting married here in Canada I believe, It's not illegal right? Canada doesn't use a K1 Fiance visa so I imagine that him coming here with the intent on getting married isn't bending any rules?
We are going to probably go to a court house and get married, saving our ceremony for a later date, is this also alright?

What I know.. (senior members correct me if I'm wrong) we send in our applications to the Mississauga office for outland for initial review. For straightforward cases they will be sent to CPP - Ottawa to be processed. If the case is complicated or they're not convinced that the relationship is not genuine, the case will be sent to the NY or LA visa offices. Applicants will only be called in for an interview for complicated cases. If you check this link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf, there's a page for your preferred interview location.

Im NOT sure if the sponsor (you) needs to accompany the principal applicant.. Let's wait for the more senior members to answer this one. =)

It's definitely not illegal to get married in Canada! My fiance and I will also get married in Canada. =P I just asked because other applicants (including me!!) choose to wait in Canada as a visitor while the process is ongoing even for an outland application.

Missmatalini is right about getting married in BC. We'll be going through the same thing in a month! Not sure though about the wedding procedures for other provinces.

 

[SamanthaRL]

Getting married in Canada won't be bending any rules I came from Virginia to British Columbia to get married to my husband. In BC they have marriage commissioners - not courthouses (I'm not sure if that's a nationwide thing or BC only) So we just set up an appointment, the commissioner met us at a relatives house and we tied the knot - We are having a "vow renewal" and huge reception back in my hometown this coming October.

Ahh perfect! It's almost as if I can feel the starts aligning!

My fiance wants to complete a welding course in Texas while the visa processes, if the visa ends up processing before he finishes his 10 month program, would he have to quit and come to Canada right away once it processes?

Thanks so much!

 

[SamanthaRL]

What I know.. (senior members correct me if I'm wrong) we send in our applications to the Mississauga office for outland for initial review. For straightforward cases they will be sent to CPP - Ottawa to be processed. If the case is complicated or they're not convinced that the relationship is not genuine, the case will be sent to the NY or LA visa offices. Applicants will only be called in for an interview for complicated cases.

Im NOT sure if the sponsor (you) needs to accompany the principal applicant.. Let's wait for the more senior members to answer this one. =)

It's definitely not illegal to get married in Canada! My fiance and I will also get married in Canada. =P I just asked because other applicants (including me!!) choose to wait in Canada as a visitor while the process is ongoing even for an outland application.

Missmatalini is right about getting married in BC. We'll be going through the same thing in a month! Not sure though about the wedding procedures for other provinces.

Aahhh, I see! Well hopefully we can prove it. We have seen each other so much over the past 7 years, so many letters and photos, we're going to make the reviewers sick!

Thank you

 

[kcorbin]

Aahhh, I see! Well hopefully we can prove it. We have seen each other so much over the past 7 years, so many letters and photos, we're going to make the reviewers sick!

Thank you

I've read somewhere about how a couple had their application reach 800 pages!! Don't let that intimidate you though. Others submitted just a couple of photos and they got approved. So it's basically about the quality of the proof that you'll be sending in. But personally, I'd rather flood them with photos and emails and chatlogs to put my mind at ease. I have yet to see how thick our application package will get. =))

Oh, I suggest that you dont throw away your boarding passes when you guys travel to see each other. =)

 

[SamanthaRL]

I've read somewhere about how a couple had their application reach 800 pages!! Don't let that intimidate you though. Others submitted just a couple of photos and they got approved. So it's basically about the quality of the proof that you'll be sending in. But personally, I'd rather flood them with photos and emails and chatlogs to put my mind at ease. I have yet to see how thick our application package will get. =))

Oh, I suggest that you dont throw away your boarding passes when you guys travel to see each other. =)

I have always saved all of our boarding passes and I have our luggage tickets wrapped around my bed post to keep me company when we're apart, haha.

Definitely getting more and more excited!

 

[missmatalini]

Ahh perfect! It's almost as if I can feel the starts aligning!

My fiance wants to complete a welding course in Texas while the visa processes, if the visa ends up processing before he finishes his 10 month program, would he have to quit and come to Canada right away once it processes?

Thanks so much!

Depends on the time you are given to land. You're required to land before a certain date - so it'll depend on that (Someone please correct me of I'm wrong)

Which province are you in/ where will you be living after PR is granted?

 

[lleahdoll]

I agree with everything everyone has said thus far! ;D

I also got married in Canada, in Quebec. It's definitely not illegal. No worries there!!

If anyone else wants to join this thread: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/anyone-want-to-join-a-thread-for-people-applying-in-the-near-future-t192720.0.html;msg3010127#msg3010127

Kcorbin already has! ^_^

 

[SamanthaRL]

Depends on the time you are given to land. You're required to land before a certain date - so it'll depend on that (Someone please correct me of I'm wrong)

Which province are you in/ where will you be living after PR is granted?

I will be living here in Calgary most likely, or potentially moving to Saskatchewan, depends on where our jobs take us!

 

[alibutt123]

bless you