Getting married in USA and then applying to sponsor my spouse? Help!

[Camip]

So this will be kinda long, I have a few questions... I've been doing some research but I'm not entirely sure of the process and if what I plan to do is even possible.

I'm planning to visit my fiance in Florida at the end of next month. What we want to do is get married there and then I apply to sponsor him for PR, and I stay there for say 3 months while he continues working. Is it possible to do it this way? Marrying outside of Canada and residing in the USA as a visitor? Obviously I will have to quit my job before going there so how do I prove I have income to support him? My mother is willing to co sponsor and allow us to stay at her house once we both arrive back in Canada and I start looking for a job again. We want to stay in the USA for 3 months or so and then both come back to Canada and wait out the duration of the application. My fiance has visited me in Canada on 3 separate occasions. This will be my first time visiting him in the USA. On his second visit to Canada he was pulled aside and grilled by border patrol then denied because he didn't have "sufficient evidence proving his ties to the USA", he tried to re enter two days after and was successful but now every time he tries to cross he will be pulled aside and questioned, they also require solid proof and proof that he has 50-100 dollars to spend per day of his visit.

To sum up all the questions I have:
1. Can I travel to the USA and marry my spouse then sponsor him for PR? If possible what is the process?
2. How do I prove income if I am not working? My mother is willing to co sponsor and let me and my fiance stay in her home once I return to Canada, would this help and is a cosponsor possible?
3. What do I tell border patrol when I cross and wish to stay 3 months? Do I tell them my plans or would I get denied because my intention is to marry? Though I do intended on coming back to Canada with my fiance when the trip is over
4. What does my fiance tell the border patrol when he comes back to Canada with me? Considering it is now more difficult for him to cross there is no way he would be able to stay for months, even though the max time for a visitor is 6?

Any help, advice, personal experience is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Sweden]

Hey Camip,

welcome to the forum! I can try to answer some of your questions...

1.About getting married in the US - I don't know the procedure and what you need to have etc ( but there are plenty of US/can couples on the forum that will give you a hand on that one).
But yes - once married, you can apply. If you are a Canadian citizen, you don't need to stay in Canada for the process, you can apply "outland".

What you need to do - read the guidelines, print them out, start gathering proofs of your application. Read the first post in this forum, and the CIC guidelines http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp
2. if you are sponsoring your spouse, you don't have to have a minimum income. CIC wants to know that you have the means to support your spouse, and that you will not go on welfare, but there is no minimum income. Your mother can not co-sponsor with you, but she can write a letter stating that you can stay with her and she will support you as a couple until you find a job etc. Include your previous employment, and what you plan to do to find a new job once you move back to Canada, and how you plan to support yourself.
As you are applying and not being in canada, you also need to convince CIC that you will move back to Canada - include when approximately you intend to move, what is your plan, where you will live etc - as many details as possible.

3. when crossing into the US - not sure. I think telling them the truth and showing that you have something waiting for you in 3 months and what is your plan is a good idea, but other members will tell you more about that.

4.tell the truth - he is coming to visit ( do not mention he comes to "live with you", but visit). Make clear to the border officer that your husband will leave when his visa is up. Bring proofs that you have applied for PR for your husband ( the receipt for fees paid, copy of your application if you have it already etc). He should bring proofs of his ties to the US as well. It's up to the border officer to decide to give you a 3, or 6 months visitor visa, but you can also apply for an extension online once you are in Canada. make sure you do it before the former visa runs out.

So - it's feasible, and you will get plenty of advices from seniors members. You can also join the US thread, where everybody is in a similar position as you, and they can answer most of your practical questions. Here it is: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.690.html

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Zouk Princesse]

Getting married in the US is not an issue. As a heads up, it takes about a month after you're married to get your Florida marriage certificate, so factor that into your submission times. We thought we'd get ours right away, and were not expecting to wait a whole month at all!