We need help!

[chrecand]

I've posted a couple times on here already about visiting for 6 months. I just want to confirm that our plan isn't breaking any rules and that it'll have a good chance of being successful.

My fiance has gathered everything he needs for his PR app, the only thing missing is our marriage certificate. Now in order to have that we need to get him here to get married. He's from the US and I'm from Canada. I heard that it'll take approx 12 weeks to obtain our marriage certificate, so with that being said would having him tell the border officials that he's visiting for 3 months reasonable and then extending it as long as we need to gather the final papers for our apps? Or are we risking to give off red flags? He doesn't intend on telling them that he's coming here to get married, he's visiting only as far as they know.

He is unemployed, but has a lot of money saved up to stay here. He has a bank account he's keeping in the states and car insurance he will keep paying till he's approved for PR. He can't prove that he pays for bills because he lives with his parents and pays them in cash. Would this be enough ties to the states?

One last thing...he's bringing along a desktop to keep himself entertained during times I'm at work, would they say anything about it?

Sorry if I'm scattered all over the place...we've been planning this for half a year already and I just want a smooth entry for him so we can get things started. Thank you!

 

[Ponga]

Unless he has been previously denied entry into Canada, or has anything that would make him inadmissible (such as a DUI, or other criminality) he should be fine.

If he can show ties to the U.S. (job, home, bank account, etc.) and perhaps a return ticket (fully refundable), it will only help his chances. It's possible that CBSA could phone his parents to verify that he's living there, I suppose.


He need not voluntarily disclose that he's `planning' to get married, unless the Border Officer presses the issue (in which case he should NOT lie), but...people have been know to come to Canada to visit their significant other...and end up getting married.

He also needs to be aware that CBSA can inspect his laptop, cell phone and anything/everything else that he has with him, so he needs to be aware of what those electronic devices contain.

Lastly, when you're ready to apply to sponsor him, you should really consider the Outland application (which you can do while he is IN Canada), because it is substantially faster than an Inland application for most Americans (~8 months versus 2 years +/-).

Good luck!

 

[chrecand]

He's driving down, would that be an issue? As for the computer I had him "clean" up anything that would cause a red flag. We'll definitively be applying outland Thanks for the reply!

 

[Morganhannah]

My husband is American and we drive across the border to visit each other! He told border security that he was getting married over the weekend and they congratulated him. It also took us only exactly 1 month to get our marriage certificate. We got married November 8th and received it the first week of December! I bring a laptop every time I cross into the U.S. And have never had any problems with searching or looking through it. The longest I have stayed is only 5 weeks at one time though! But they mainly from my experience have only asked on my way back into the country how long I was out of the country for!

I'm sure people have had plenty of other experiences, just sharing with you ours!

Hope it helps

 

[Ponga]

I suspect that he is in the majority, of how Americans (and perhaps others that are visa-exempt) are treated, but I just wanted the OP to be aware of the possibilities...just in case.

(so excited for them) ;D

 

[chrecand]

I'm hoping we are as lucky as you are :s but thank you for sharing, it does help

 

[Morganhannah]

I suspect that he is in the majority, of how Americans (and perhaps others that are visa-exempt) are treated, but I just wanted the OP to be aware of the possibilities...just in case.

(so excited for them) ;D

Of course! It's always best to know all different sides of different situations. It really helps!

 

[chrecand]

His mom recently talked to him and told him that he should tell them he's visiting for a month. I've got some concerns with this...would he be able to apply to extend his visit for much longer 2 weeks before the month is over? Would he be penalized if he overstayed without extending?

He's currently on his way...his mom picked a really great time to change his mind ???

 

[truesmile]

He'll likely be granted 6 months anyway. Even if he only said two weeks.

 

[chrecand]

6 months in his extension or for his stay?

 

[truesmile]

For his first stay.

 

[Celandrius]

You normally can get 6 months for your first stay, then extend a month in advance (unless you do it online, then you can do it the day before) and he can stay until you hear back. If he has to go back, then he has to go back, but normally they would give him the time if you provide proof you've started the application. Normally the receipt is good enough, and they have the means to check anyway. I've heard of people getting 2 year on their first extension. I myself got another 6 months, but that was all I asked for!
I hope this helps!