How can I bring my Ukrainian fiance to Canada? We have been denied twice

[Regina]

Can we be married at the Embassy in Kiev?

No, you cannot. Embassies never register marriages. Go just to usual ZAGS in Kiev.

Why does the permanent residence application take so long for the gov't to complete?

I guess the reason is a shortage of staff at the Embassy and a huge stream of wives.

[jackomojones]

I am in a bit of a simmilar situation, and wonder if anyone can offer some advice.

My girlfriend is in Ukraine, I am in Canada. We would like to get married, though we are not officially engaged yet (this will change soon).

We think we would like to live in Canada.
Right now, we're about to apply for a tourist visa for her, so that she can meet my family, and see Canada.
Can anyone provide advice on


a) Should we apply for a tourist visa now, get engaged and then apply for one? or forget it entirely, get married and then apply for a spousal visa?

b) If I can get her to Canada, should we get married here, or is it better to get married in Ukraine?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks, and best of luck to you all in your own situations.

-Jackomojones

[Leon]

The problem is that immigration will not give her a tourist visa if they think she is planning to stay.  If you are engaged, they will assume that you are going to get married and she will stay and you will apply to sponsor her.  Even if you are not engaged, they may still assume that she will stay and refuse her a tourist visa.

If she can't get a tourist visa, obviously you can't get married in Canada.  If she does, you will have a choice.  You could then marry in Canada and have her stay with you while you apply for sponsorship but she may not be legal to work for 6-9 months.  Or she could stay in Ukraine and wait for the PR to come through.  Should take about a year.  Which is what you would have to do if she can't get a tourist visa.

[jackomojones]

Thanks Leon. We are not yet engaged (and based on what I have been reading, may actually delay that until we see if she can get a tourist Visa.). What are the odds that they will deny her a tourist visa because we are "in a relationship"?

We would not likely be married while she is on her first trip here, as there is simply not time to make the kind of arrangements she would like....so we are applying for a multiple entry visa in the hopes that she can come here, check the place out, return home, and then we can decide if we should be married in Canada or Ukraine.

If we have the choice, is there an advantage to being married in Canada vs. Ukraine? (other than being together during the app/approval process)? I have the distinct blessing of probably being able to work in the ukraine if we cannot be together in Canada during the process).

Thanks for the help,
Jackomojones

[PMM]

Hi

Thanks Hero. We are not yet engaged (and based on what I have been reading, may actually delay that until we see if she can get a tourist Visa.). What are the odds that they will deny her a tourist visa because we are "in a relationship"?

We would not likely be married while she is on her first trip here, as there is simply not time to make the kind of arrangements she would like....so we are applying for a multiple entry visa in the hopes that she can come here, check the place out, return home, and then we can decide if we should be married in Canada or Ukraine.

If we have the choice, is there an advantage to being married in Canada vs. Ukraine? (other than being together during the app/approval process)? I have the distinct blessing of probably being able to work in the ukraine if we cannot be together in Canada during the process).


Thanks for the help,
Jackomojones

1.  Pretty close to 100% that she will be refused unless she can really demonstrate ties to the Ukraine that would cause her to return home.
2.  There is no advantage to where you marry, other that if it is in Canada, you will be together if it is processed as an "in Canada" spousal application.  But if it is refused there is no appeal rights for "in-Canada", whereas if it is refused overseas, you maintain Appeal rights.

PMM

[jackomojones]

So how does anyone get tourist visas to come to Canada from Ukraine? Unfortunately, she owns no porperty, works for a family member (which I'm sure would be viewed with suspicion) and has no children.

Ughh......

[Leon]

I think they must have some kind of red flag list.  When people are coming on holidays, they are more likely to travel together and do not necessarily know anyone in that country.  If somebody from the Ukraine wanted to vacation in Canada, they brought some company along for their vacation, they don't know anybody in Canada or have any relatives here, they have a job and a house or apartment in the Ukraine to return to and close family members, I think they would be way more likely to get a tourist visa than if they are coming alone, to visit someone they know here and can't show strong ties that they would have to return.  Visiting a fiancee is even worse because then immigration can be pretty sure that they are planning to immigrate here.

[frolic]

My wife from Russia, before we were married (or even engaged) tried to get a temp visa to visit...and was denied.  And she has a child who was going to be staying home with grandparents to continue school.  So even a son waiting at home seems not enough proof of close ties to her country for a visitor visa.  I think the bar is set pretty high for them to be convinced.