Hindu Muslim Marriage (Spouse Sponsorhip India)

[syrust]

Hello Everybody

I need help.

I am a Hindu guy Living in Canada from Last four years and am on study visa. I came here on study visa and got work permit and then again got extension through study visa but didn't go to school from last two years.

When I came to canada I met a girl and she is Muslim. We started liking each other and we started dating. Now we are in relation from last 3 and half years. She is Canadian Citizen and Now we are planning to get married without telling our parents.

We are not planning for religious wedding we are planning for civil wedding so that we both don't have any problem.

My question:
1:   Should I send my file as (IN CANADA) stay in canada and wait for one and half year for P.R OR should i send file (OUTSIDE CANADA) go to India (how long is the process from India for spouse visa)?

2: We are together from 2008 January and we have Phone bills, pictures since then, I added her on my credit card as second card holder in September 2008 (Will this help)?

3: We are not doing any party or anything because we don't have alot of money as I am not doing a good job. Will it Effect our file processing?

4: Will there be any problem in front of officer that we are from different religions (Its a love marriage and relation is almost more then 3 years)?

Please help with any possible advice I will really appreciate.


Thanks

[brin]

Hi syrust,

1. You could apply for In-Canada process. This takes abt 18 mnths to get ur PR. I'm not sure if your student visa allows you to work. If not you may have to wait for abt 8-10 mnths to get a work permit after you send ur PR application.
You could choose to send it to New Delhi(processing time 4-6 mnths). However looking at your circumstances(parents would not know/ no big wedding) I would think it's better to apply in-Canada as ND typically wants to see a big wedding with families, which is the norm.

2. Yes. When prooving your marriage is genuine all these will come in handy.

3. Well, if you are applying inland, this should not be a big probelm, provided you have enough evidance to show you both are a couple.
If you apply to New Delhi,  this might be an issue.
4. No one would question abt why a Hindu and a Muslim are getting married in Canada If you opt for a civil marriage, there won't be any problem.

[fprince]

Brin is right on, absolutely no issues when you apply for Inland...anyone can marry anyone here.
I do not see any big issues in India as well but you are safe to apply here rather than outland ND...
Just make sure you have legal status in Canada when you apply inland..
all the best.

[syrust]

Hi Guys

Thanks for advice. I forgot to mention one thing that my visa is expiring in 31 july 2011.
and i don't thing immigration will give me tourist visa. and also I have already a job offer in software company its a contract which is going to start in November 2011 which i really don't want to miss.

Even if needed I am ready to do a party with no more then 15-25 people.

Whats your suggestion guys. I don't have enough time to stay in canada so should i apply here or from India.

Thanks

[fprince]

I would really say here...Yes, do a small party..it wont hurt that much..just to show them that you are not hiding the relationship from everyone.
But having said that make sure that you will be APPROVED as if you apply inbound as i don't think there is a chance of an appeal if declined.
It is a tough decision to say Inbound or Outbound ...
Say for example you would apply outbound from India, when do you plan to do that? and where will you be when that happens?

[coldgirl]

Hi Syrust,

We applied inland and we didnt have a big wedding. We just went to the city hall with two of our witnesses, thats it. Since you guys have been together for so long (and have proof) , I wouldnt worry about having a big or even a small wedding. But make sure you are in status when you do apply, even though you are able to apply even if you are out of status, you just have to do a adjustment of status.

Regarding apply inland or outland, India is pretty fast at completing application but the only thing is that if they ask you to go for an interview, you would have to fly there. So its really up to you. As of right now,  inland takes about ten months for first stage approval, most people land within a year. Hope this helps.

[canadianwoman]

Have a small party for your wedding. Even in Canada, the visa officer will expect to see something by way of a celebration.

Potential problems: 1. Your parents don't know. Do any of your other relatives know about the relationship? If so, get a letter of support from one of them stating they believe your relationship is genuine. You will also have to explain in the application why your parents don't know and why relatives weren't at the ceremony. The visa officer will most likely accept your explanation - religious differences, etc. - but you should definitely provide one.
2. Religious differences. Also explain in the application how the two of you deal with your religious differences.
3. Getting married right before your visa expires. This can look to the visa officer like you just want to stay in Canada. So add even more evidence that your relationship is genuine and has been going on for 3 years.

If you apply inland, you probably won't get permission to work before your job starts. If you apply outland, you could well have your PR in time, but the New Delhi visa officers are used to traditional marriages - arranged, huge wedding parties, relatives heavily involved. You would have to really increase the amount of proof you send that your relationship is genuine to compensate.

Could you get some other kind of visa before November? Canadian Experience class, or a work visa sponsored by the company?