Can't find Marriage information anywhere!

[missmatalini]

Ok. So I've searched through millions of places trying to find information that I need on getting married to my Canadian boyfriend and I seriously cannot find reliable answers anywhere.

My soon to be husband and I are planning on "eloping" in Canada around December. I will have been in Canada for approx. 5 1/2 months by that time. We are going to start the sponsorship papers before we actually tie the knot and have them sent in hopefully shortly after we are married.

Problem is I have all of that part planned out but I have seriously no idea what to do or how to do it. I've read there is no marriage visa, it's just show up, have I.D's and get married. Is this true?

Second, since I will have almost been in Canada for 6 months, does getting married allow me to stay past the 6 months or do I have to go back home? (if I do have to return home, how long will it be before I can re-enter Canada?) I've read on the immigration site that you can apply for an extension but it doesn't say if that's just for visa's or if passports are included.

Once our papers have been sent in, how long is it usually before things are finalized that if I had to leave the country I could come back?

Thanks!

 

[amikety]

What province are you in?

I wouldn't count on being able to apply before your 6 months is up. The process usually takes 2-3 months to get the application ready. In my case, it took almost five. (FBI couldn't read the first set of fingerprints I submitted, had to re-do.) You should plan on extending your stay another way - such as flagpoling at the US border or applying for an extension online.

 

[IslandAnnie]

You can start by reading this first post here.. http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html (its the fist thread pinned at the top of this forum. Also, everything for forms and guides are here on the CIC website. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse.asp. Read through everything and then any bits you don't understand or need more info on, just post on these forums and there are lots of folks willing to help out.

Good luck with your application.

 

[missmatalini]

What province are you in?

I wouldn't count on being able to apply before your 6 months is up. The process usually takes 2-3 months to get the application ready. In my case, it took almost five. (FBI couldn't read the first set of fingerprints I submitted, had to re-do.) You should plan on extending your stay another way - such as flagpoling at the US border or applying for an extension online.

My boyfriend lives in British Columbia

I've "heard" of flagpoling but I'm not exactly sure how it works. Several people have told me you can only be in Canada for six months out of a year (So meaning since I get into Canada in the beginning of July I cannot return until that following July? Is that not true? Can I just cross the border into the U.S stay overnight in like Washington state and then re-enter Canada the next day?)
Can my visit be extended with a passport and not a visa? I've already looked into getting a visa but there are no options for me currently.

So it takes 2-3 months to get the application ready, how long are we looking at after the application has been sent?

 

[amikety]

My boyfriend lives in British Columbia

I've "heard" of flagpoling but I'm not exactly sure how it works. Several people have told me you can only be in Canada for six months out of a year (So meaning since I get into Canada in the beginning of July I cannot return until that following July? Is that not true? Can I just cross the border into the U.S stay overnight in like Washington state and then re-enter Canada the next day?)
Can my visit be extended with a passport and not a visa? I've already looked into getting a visa but there are no options for me currently.

So it takes 2-3 months to get the application ready, how long are we looking at after the application has been sent?

Those people are wrong. Your passport stamp is valid for six months (unless there's a date written in it). You are allowed to remain in Canada legally as long as you maintain status and don't do anything... foolish. I've been in Canada since July 2011 without leaving. I maintain my status by extending my visitor's status online. I get a Visitor's Record. It's kind of like a visitor's visa, but for people that don't need visas. VR cost $75. Flagpoling costs gas and other travel expenses.

You don't even need to technically leave Canada. All you have to do is tell the border patrol agent you want to flagpole.

Americans use the Ottawa VO. Their current published time is 13 months for 80% of applications based on a complete application. This means 80% of applications are processed in 13 months or less. The spreadsheet for Ottawa VO is in my signature - have a look. Some applications take the full 13 months. Some take 7-8. There is a guy from October with PPR already. It's a gamble - one we all hope we win at.

Here is information on getting married in BC. I apologize if you don't need it, but from your post, I got the impression you needed help finding it. http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/marriage/howto.html

 

[missmatalini]

I really did need that link, thank you for posting it. I'm getting so flustered and it's so hard to find reliable and helpful information. You're being a great help and putting me at ease.

 

[amikety]

Glad to help! I have reply notifications on, so anytime you (or anyone else) posts a reply in this thread, it will notify me. You can also post questions in the Ottawa thread - tons of Americans there to help you. After you get 10 posts, you'll be able to send private messages (and get an avatar) so you can PM anything private.

I currently have no life and spend a lot of time on the forum. I enjoy helping people, so it works.

I am also female. The Sir thing is a joke.

 

[parker24]

I am also female. The Sir thing is a joke.

Do not listen to he--hi--- it! It's a sir!

(I'm just kidding, she's a she )

 

[amikety]

Do not listen to he--hi--- it! It's a sir!

(I'm just kidding, she's a she )

Thanks Grandma!