Entering canada on TRV, then marrying, applying for a PR+ open work permit

[OwenJoyce]

Hi there

Will the immigration officers at the border send you back if you explain to them that you're planning to enter on a visitors visa, get married and then apply for a PR on the inland class and a open work permit?

This seems to be the only legal way to get into Canada, get work, and live with your spouse. However the are so many post of immigration officers denying you if you tell the truth. Almost like you have to be sneaky and tell them that you plan to return
.
Is this true? What is the correct procedure to do this?

 

[canadianwoman]

If you have a visitor's visa, I would just enter as a visitor. Bring proof of ties to your home country, and a return ticket. Your plans once in Canada may change, after all. If the border agent asks you a direct question about marriage, don't lie, but I would not volunteer information that is not necessary.

People can have dual intent - to visit, and to apply for a PR. However, from hearing reports of people who have done so, it seems to be useless to argue about dual intent with the border agents. Just be clear that you are just visiting.

If the applicant comes from a country where the citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada, and the PR application has already been sent, then being upfront and showing proof of the PR app, as well as being clear that you are just visiting, is fine. Many people on the forum have done this with no problem. When you need a visa to enter Canada, though, and you have not yet gotten married or sent in the PR application, I would just enter as a visitor.

 

[cheng9999]

Hi there

Will the immigration officers at the border send you back if you explain to them that you're planning to enter on a visitors visa, get married and then apply for a PR on the inland class and a open work permit?

This seems to be the only legal way to get into Canada, get work, and live with your spouse. However the are so many post of immigration officers denying you if you tell the truth. Almost like you have to be sneaky and tell them that you plan to return
.
Is this true? What is the correct procedure to do this?

I'll not comment on success/failure of entering...I see another issue which you should consider very carefully.

While technically satisfying the requirements, the sponsorship and PR application also looks at the nature of relationship.

The biggest red flag here would be getting married right after arriving, and then applying for PR right away, which would raise the question as a marriage of convenience. Were you 2 living together as common law outside Canada already? If yes, then that would make getting married less suspicious...in fact, having successfully shown common law relationship would render the actual marriage not necessary...you would in fact be considered in a "spousal relationship already".

If you 2 were not living as common law already, just as boyfriend/girlfriend, then my only suggestion is to read through these forums and learn as much as possible from other peoples who were in similar situation as you were, and hopefully allow you to prepare while you have a chance to do so. You don't want to scramble to prove your relationship when you are in Canada. Also if you apply inland, you are basically stuck and cannot leave while the application is being processed.

In our case, we had a long marriage with kids...when I looked at our case notes in what the case officers stated, the comments on eligibility were quite explicit in considering whether the marriage was one of convenience (i.e. getting married to get PR):
* background of the 2 people (age, culture, language, religion)
* progression of relationship (whether it makes sense in terms of time line)

 

[floomy]

if they did not live together, but has been in relationship for a long time (more than a year or so ) , it would not be problem.
telling from my case: not live together before got married , been in relationship for years.

However if they met online and have not met before , then that would be some problem.

Hi there

Will the immigration officers at the border send you back if you explain to them that you're planning to enter on a visitors visa, get married and then apply for a PR on the inland class and a open work permit?

This seems to be the only legal way to get into Canada, get work, and live with your spouse. However the are so many post of immigration officers denying you if you tell the truth. Almost like you have to be sneaky and tell them that you plan to return
.
Is this true? What is the correct procedure to do this?

do not know anything about your relationship, but if you think , there is some red flag issue on your application, you should wait some time or prepare good proof for PR app.