Civil Unions? "Fiancé Visa?"

[Loverbunnyx]

I know that Canada accepts both marriage and Civil Unions for family class sponsorships.
My question is: Does either option affect the time it takes for the application to be processed? (EX: Marriage is accepted faster than a Civil Union)
Also, if the transition from a Civil Union to a Marriage easy? We would like to get married, but would like to save up money first and be able to be together in the mean time.

Also, I've read something about a "Fiancé Visa".
Can anyone tell me more about this?
For what I have read (Whether it is valid or not), is that you may live with your partner if you're getting in married within 3 months. Okay, if so, how would that work after you were married? Seeing as you would have to be married to put in an application to be able to reside in Canada.
Like I said, I don't know much about this so-called "Fiancé Visa", so correct me if I'm very wrong.

Any information helps! Thank you

 

[Rob_TO]

There is no fiancee visa in Canada... that is only for USA.

Civil union is called common-law for Canada. Basically you need to live with someone continuous for 12-months and then you are common-law status. There is no difference in processing speed for marriage vs common-law class.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hello and welcome

I know that Canada accepts both marriage and Civil Unions for family class sponsorships.

You can apply for spousal sponsorship as a married couple, common-law, or conjugal partners. Take a look at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/index.asp for the details or the first post on this thread.

My question is: Does either option affect the time it takes for the application to be processed? (EX: Marriage is accepted faster than a Civil Union)

As long as you meet the requirements of the visa you are applying for and submit a complete application your timing should be the same.

Also, if the transition from a Civil Union to a Marriage easy? We would like to get married, but would like to save up money first and be able to be together in the mean time.

Have you lived together in a 'marriage-like' relationship for at least 12 months? If so, you can apply as a common-law couple without needing to 'transition.'

Also, I've read something about a "Fiancé Visa".
Can anyone tell me more about this?
For what I have read (Whether it is valid or not), is that you may live with your partner if you're getting in married within 3 months. Okay, if so, how would that work after you were married? Seeing as you would have to be married to put in an application to be able to reside in Canada.
Like I said, I don't know much about this so-called "Fiancé Visa", so correct me if I'm very wrong.

Any information helps! Thank you

[/quote]

Canada does not have fiancé(e) visas. If your fiance has a visitor visa or is exempt, s/he can visit Canada as a visitor.

 

[Loverbunnyx]

Thank you Rob_TO and OhCanadiana for your replies.

We are not living together, we're in a long distance relationship.
The problem is that neither of us have work or student visa's in either of each others countries, so we can't meet the requirements for the common-law partnership. So I guess that route is out of the question!
We are new to this all, so there are still things we're learning/don't know yet.

We just really don't want to get married and not be able to live with each other for another year or so.

I'm hoping to move up north to be closer to the border, so that visiting each other will be much easier!

*sigh* Thanks again you two!

 

[Loverbunnyx]

Another question/idea that just came into my mind..
And just to clarify, I am the American and he is the Canadian.
Would I be able to get a Visitor Visa so that after we got married, I would be able to live with him until my application was accepted?
How long do Visitor Visa's normally last and are there any specific requirements for them?

 

[Sweden]

If you're american, you can come and visit in Canada and stay with your partner and wait out the PR process. You won't be able to work ( unless you qualify on your own for a work permit, you should look up Nafta on this forum), and have access to healthcare in most provinces, but you can stay. You shouldn't "move" (with all your stuff etc) but as long as you keep it to the minimum it should be fine.
Most people are given 6 months at the border, and once you are in Canada you can either go out and re-enter ( the 6 months re-start everytime you leave Canada), or ask for an extension without leaving Canada. Quite a few US/Can couples are doing that without major issues, if you can afford not working for a while.

Like this, you could get married, and then apply and stay with your then-husband and wait until the PR is granted.

If you don't want to get married, you could do that to reach the 12 months common-law, then apply. Then wait again! but it would mean almost 2 years without working...

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Loverbunnyx]

If you're american, you can come and visit in Canada and stay with your partner and wait out the PR process. You won't be able to work ( unless you qualify on your own for a work permit, you should look up Nafta on this forum), and have access to healthcare in most provinces, but you can stay. You shouldn't "move" (with all your stuff etc) but as long as you keep it to the minimum it should be fine.
Most people are given 6 months at the border, and once you are in Canada you can either go out and re-enter ( the 6 months re-start everytime you leave Canada), or ask for an extension without leaving Canada. Quite a few US/Can couples are doing that without major issues, if you can afford not working for a while.

Like this, you could get married, and then apply and stay with your then-husband and wait until the PR is granted.

If you don't want to get married, you could do that to reach the 12 months common-law, then apply. Then wait again! but it would mean almost 2 years without working...

Good luck,
Sweden

This is exactly the answer I was hoping/looking for.
I was under the impression that I could only visit Canada for 6 months out of a 12 month period.
How long would I have to return to America for before returning to Canada for another 6 months, if I didn't apply to extend my stay for whatever reason.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Sweden]

This is exactly the answer I was hoping/looking for.
I was under the impression that I could only visit Canada for 6 months out of a 12 month period.
How long would I have to return to America for before returning to Canada for another 6 months, if I didn't apply to extend my stay for whatever reason.

Thanks a bunch!

there is no such rule for Canada ( it's for other countries).
So you could be in Canada for 6 months, then exit one day, and re-enter for 6 months. You would have to prepare for that to know what to say at the border etc, but if you choose this option, come back and ask here - there are lots of US citizen on the forum currently staying in Canada with their partners, so you'll get advice on what to do - and not do!

Easiest way is to apply for an extension when you are in Canada, but if it's not possible, you can always leave and enter again.
One more thing - even if you are staying in Canada with your partner, you can apply "outland" - read the first thread by Leon called "spousal sponsorship" - not the whole thread, just the first page, it will give you a good idea.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[amikety]

This is exactly the answer I was hoping/looking for.
I was under the impression that I could only visit Canada for 6 months out of a 12 month period.
How long would I have to return to America for before returning to Canada for another 6 months, if I didn't apply to extend my stay for whatever reason.

Thanks a bunch!

Just random information - Canada used to have a Fiance Visa, so you may have heard about it. (Yes, I like random info.)

I am American and I've been in Canada for 18 months without leaving, by extending my stage as a Visitor. I haven't been able to work - but not for lack of trying. I can't find anyone wanting to hire me (Not for lack of experience either, boo hoo.) I have my PR application in process and a visitor's record (kind of like a visa) valid until Feb 2014. If you're squeakly clean and keep in line with the rules CIC sets forth, I think you'll be fine.

There are other options for working, but they require a lot of work and/or luck on your part. Nafta was mentioned - that's a good one. Remotely working is a possibility too. You could also look for a job in Canada and I wish you luck because that process is infuriating!

 

[Sweden]

You could also look for a job in Canada and I wish you luck because that process is infuriating!

I agree!!! even with a PR in hand, and a lot of previous experience, it's a hard process, as I lack the "canadian experience"... of course! I just got here... oh well...
Amikety - good luck!
Sweden

 

[Loverbunnyx]

there is no such rule for Canada ( it's for other countries).
So you could be in Canada for 6 months, then exit one day, and re-enter for 6 months. You would have to prepare for that to know what to say at the border etc, but if you choose this option, come back and ask here - there are lots of US citizen on the forum currently staying in Canada with their partners, so you'll get advice on what to do - and not do!

Easiest way is to apply for an extension when you are in Canada, but if it's not possible, you can always leave and enter again.
One more thing - even if you are staying in Canada with your partner, you can apply "outland" - read the first thread by Leon called "spousal sponsorship" - not the whole thread, just the first page, it will give you a good idea.
Good luck,
Sweden

Great information! How long is your visit extended for if they approve it? Is there a limited amount of times you can extend your visit in one trip?
Thanks again so much for the information

 

[Loverbunnyx]

Just random information - Canada used to have a Fiance Visa, so you may have heard about it. (Yes, I like random info.)

Awesome, I'm not crazy .

I am American and I've been in Canada for 18 months without leaving, by extending my stage as a Visitor.

Were you guys married before you started your visit? Would it help to be married if I was wanting to extend my stay? I'm glad you told me this! It gives me hope ^_^

 

[amikety]

Awesome, I'm not crazy .
Were you guys married before you started your visit? Would it help to be married if I was wanting to extend my stay? I'm glad you told me this! It gives me hope ^_^

Nope and nope. I entered Canada for the final time July 14, 2011. We got married Sept 22, 2012 - over a year later. (We got confused by CIC's website. I didn't learn what a flub up we made until after I got active here.) There's a couple people that post here who are in similar situations. In fact, there's a poster who has been in Canada about a month longer than me. Of course, I don't remember their usernames...

Depending on where you live, you can file the online extension or flagpole at the border to reset your status. If you're close enough to the border, then it's entirely up to you how you handle it. I prefer the Visitor's Record and I've needed it to open my own bank account (no husband) and get my healthcare (Alberta). However, lots of people get by with passport stamps alone and make sure to visit the border at least once every 6 months.

Maybe I have been lucky, but I've had no problems maintaining a visitor status.

 

[parker24]

Awesome, I'm not crazy .
Were you guys married before you started your visit? Would it help to be married if I was wanting to extend my stay? I'm glad you told me this! It gives me hope ^_^

There's no limit to how many. And it's very easy as long as you include a letter from the sponsor (your husband in this case) saying I work here for this much and I will continue to support my wife. My husband came here in May 2011, we got married Sept 2011 and applied March 2012 and he landed Jan 2013! And he's American

 

[Loverbunnyx]

Nope and nope. I entered Canada for the final time July 14, 2011. We got married Sept 22, 2012 - over a year later. (We got confused by CIC's website. I didn't learn what a flub up we made until after I got active here.) There's a couple people that post here who are in similar situations. In fact, there's a poster who has been in Canada about a month longer than me. Of course, I don't remember their usernames...

Depending on where you live, you can file the online extension or flagpole at the border to reset your status. If you're close enough to the border, then it's entirely up to you how you handle it. I prefer the Visitor's Record and I've needed it to open my own bank account (no husband) and get my healthcare (Alberta). However, lots of people get by with passport stamps alone and make sure to visit the border at least once every 6 months.

Maybe I have been lucky, but I've had no problems maintaining a visitor status.

Wow that's great . So when you say "(We got confused by CIC's website. I didn't learn what a flub up we made until after I got active here.)", do you mean that you could have gotten in trouble for being there so long? I'm sorry about so many questions! I'm so confused about all of this, but all of you are helping a lot . I just want everything to be legal and "easy". He's the most amazing person I've ever met and it's a horrible feeling to have him leave after a visit. I'm so ready for that feeling to be over