Marrying Canadian GF in Canada on a Tourist Visa

[sevenseconds]

Hi There,

I have following this forum for quite some time and it has been very helpoful. I have couple of questions regarding marrying my Canadian GF could you please help.

My GF is a Canadian and I am an asian. I hold a multiple entry Tourist visa to canada for the next 1 year. I plan to get married in Canada shortly.

With that said...here are my questions

1. What are the documents I need to carry along with me before I enter Canada ( Docs like unmarried certs or no objection ...etc)

2. When I enter Canada, if the IO at the port of entry asks me if I plan to get married in Canada. What should I say YES or NO ??

3. If the IO at the port of entry asks me if I know anyone in Canada ... What should I say YES or NO.

4. What are the docs my Canadian GF has to get for the marriage in canada and where to get them.

5. My parents will not be present for the marriage....is that OK ?

6. Once our marriage is complete what are the docs that we need to apply for spousal sponsor for me.

7. Please advise if we need to take more pics of our marriage or something to prove that we are genuinely married.

8. I am presently staying in the UK... Would any of you recommend me getting married in UK or will Canada be the best.

I am thankful to you for your time and great help

Allen

[RobsLuv]

The most important thing for us to consider in advising you is whether you are from a visa-exempt or non-visa-exempt country.  If you are from a non-visa-exempt country, you'll need a TRV to board transport to Canada, and it will be impossible to get one if you mention a fiance in Canada or plans to marry because, more than anything, you need to prove your intent to return to your country of residency when your authorization to visit Canada ends.  You won't be able to do that if you're getting married here.

So, there are not simple answers to your questions.  Basically - NEVER admit that you're coming to Canada to marry, even if you're visa-exempt.  Any time you attempt to enter Canada you need to be able to demonstrate that you intend to leave at the end of your authorized stay - so you should be able to show ties to your country of residency and return itinerary, at the very least.  Understand that marrying does not mean you're authorized to stay - you must be sponsored after your marriage for permanent residence.  How you go about that depends on many factors.  There is an application that the two of you need to file - fees to pay, a medical exam you have to undergo, criminal clearances you have to obtain and submit, etc.  Your marriage will be scrutinized to be sure that it is a genuine marriage and not one entered into just to facilitate your entry to Canada - so you will need to submit evidence of your developing relationship, proof that you correspond regularily when apart, pictures of you on visits to one another, (yes, definitely) pictures of your wedding, etc.  It's always important that parents support your marriage and attend your wedding - this is not always possible, but if that's the case, you need to have a good explanation. 

As far as getting married in Canada v the UK - just depends on your situation . . . how easily you can get into Canada, etc.  Marrying in Canada is not an advantage as far as "proving" your marriage to be legal or genuine.  Don't know what docs your gf would need to get for a marriage in Canada - I'm sure either of you could do a google search on marrying in (Province) and find a website that will give you the info you need.     

[med]

excellent robsluv i do agree with you

[dickcyn2003]

Dear All,

I need your suggestion to get married to my canadian girl i loved so much.
I am from Ghana West Africa and 25 years. I work with an event organisation for the past 3 years.
I met this girl for like 2 years on a social netwowork and we have come to loved each other.

She currently is a student and working and has 1 child. I intend to get a tourist visa this November to travel to canada in December.
I have read so much about difficulties in getting a canadian citizenship even after marriage.
I really want to be close to my girl friends as much as possibleand she feels bad to marry her and then come back to Ghana.
My girl friend parents are so much in support in our marriage and want to help.

Could you please advice me, how long i can stay in Canada to get my marriage done. I really would want to come back to Ghana and re apply but my girl friend disapprove of it as she will feel lonely again for 6months to 1year as i got documents from here.

Advice me on the best approach

[dickcyn2003]

Hi Robsluv, can you help ? I need your advice friends on this page.

[Kedeisha]

Dear All,

I need your suggestion to get married to my canadian girl i loved so much.
I am from Ghana West Africa and 25 years. I work with an event organisation for the past 3 years.
I met this girl for like 2 years on a social netwowork and we have come to loved each other.

She currently is a student and working and has 1 child. I intend to get a tourist visa this November to travel to canada in December.
I have read so much about difficulties in getting a canadian citizenship even after marriage.
I really want to be close to my girl friends as much as possibleand she feels bad to marry her and then come back to Ghana.
My girl friend parents are so much in support in our marriage and want to help.

Could you please advice me, how long i can stay in Canada to get my marriage done. I really would want to come back to Ghana and re apply but my girl friend disapprove of it as she will feel lonely again for 6months to 1year as i got documents from here.

Advice me on the best approach

Although I am no RobsLuv here is my answer

To get a TRV is very hard especially when u dont have much ties to your homeland and being that you are coming from what is considered a 3rd world country like my country its even harder as some people not all on TRV have the tendency to overstay then file refugee claims etc so your main concer should be first to get a TRV and if you are successful then when you do arrive you can potentially stay here while your gf soon to be wife files an outlan application and she can extend your visit visa how successful that would be it depends

So first you should work on showing the embassy when you go that you have significant ties to your homeland and funds in the bank to cover your stay in Canada

You can stay up to 6 mths on a visit visa depends on te length of validity of the 1 you may get but once you are near the expiry of the visit visa your wife can apply for a renewal and hope its approved so you can stay

Also please work on getting a lot of proof for your application photos, emails, phonecalls, ant visit if your GF, also bond with her child that shows good intentions on your part and it shows you coming together as a family, naming each other as beneficiary on wills or insurance basically start now gathering proof, letters from her parents would also be very good so more proof the better

[popdee]

Thanks Kedeisha,

You right, to get TRV is very difficult to get here in Ghana.
Am have notice most people are turrned down when they have invite from Ghana from host family.
The reason been that, they might not come again.
Do you think if i make my gf book a hotel for me and dont state her at all in my application it will help?
she book a hotel for 2 weeks stay in Canada, stay there for 1 day and check out to her family place.
Am looking at a $50.00 accommodation, either hostel or guesthouse.

My problem is that, my girl do not have enough money and i dont think i will get TRV she she supports me.
Do you think CAD 2,500 will be enough to indicate on my form as my expenses for the trip.

If i over spend two weeks in Canada, will it be problem?

Cheers

[scylla]

You may also have issues proving your relationship is genuine. Have you met in person before or just spoken online / by telephone? Will this visit to Canada (when you plan to get married) be the first time you are seeing each other in person?

[Kedeisha]

Thanks Kedeisha,

You right, to get TRV is very difficult to get here in Ghana.
Am have notice most people are turrned down when they have invite from Ghana from host family.
The reason been that, they might not come again.
Do you think if i make my gf book a hotel for me and dont state her at all in my application it will help?
she book a hotel for 2 weeks stay in Canada, stay there for 1 day and check out to her family place.
Am looking at a $50.00 accommodation, either hostel or guesthouse.

My problem is that, my girl do not have enough money and i dont think i will get TRV she she supports me.
Do you think CAD 2,500 will be enough to indicate on my form as my expenses for the trip.

If i over spend two weeks in Canada, will it be problem?

Cheers

Its not necessary about the funds alone you need to prove you will go back are you working maybe you can get your employer to write a letter stating you are on vacay and when you are expected back that sort of thing, its also good if you have an invitation letter coming from a GF not so good again that might indicate your willingness to overstay.