Help!! Need to know how to go about Spousal Sponsorship in the right way...

[sunnynoon]

Hello All,

My boyfriend and I are thinking about getting married...we can't stand the distance and would like to be able to live together while going through the PR process.

I am from the Michigan, US; he is in SK.

So please correct me if I am wrong...but my understanding from what I am reading is that I can go up there to visit for up to 6 months. (If I were to drive, there would be no stamp on my passport - therefore absolutely no documentation of when I got there, etc.) So if I were to go up to visit, and we decided to get married while I was up there, could we then apply for PR (inland) - while I stay in Canada (knowing that I won't be able to work and shouldn't leave Canada while I am awaiting PR decision)?

Also - I know that I can't keep my car in Canada without having border patrol check it over for safety standards, but I am scared that if I drive through border patrol telling them I am going up to get married, that they will not let me through...especially without anything set up for that and no other documentation with me besides my passport.

What is the right way to go about this and still be able to be with my "husband" when we decide to do this. We are thinking about getting married in 2 months.

Thanks.

 

[amikety]

1) Your standard visit is six months without a date written on your passport stamp. You can extend your stay in Canada by filing an application. It's a straightforward, easy process and costs $75. Or you can cross the border to the USA and come back - whichever works better for you. I file extensions online (cheaper than gas for us) and I've been in Canada as a legal visitor since July 2011. If you drive across the border, it's possible for your bf/husband to ask for a Visitor's Record, which might be longer than six months. You shouldn't have too much trouble crossing back and forth as long as you maintain you're only visiting (not moving or living there) and your man is with you Either way, lots of Americans do the crossing alone and usually do just fine.

You won't be able to work or study without extra permits/legwork.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

2) You can apply Inland or Outland. There are pros and cons to both - it's entirely your decision. You can read Leon's post pinned to the top of Family Class for a really good discussion of these.

3) Yeah... don't tell them you're getting married........ I'm not sure about the car sorry

If you have proof of your application, coming into Canada might be easier. You or your husband can pay the fee, then you carry a copy of the receipt with you. If you have proof you're in a serious relationship, they seem to go lighter on Americans at the border.

Even though you're two months out, I would recommend starting on the application now. Get your FBI clearance underway - you can have it mailed C/O your husband in Canada. Start collecting proof and documents. If he rents, see if you can be added to the lease or sign a roommate agreement.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp

But wait until you're in Canada for the medical. It's sooooo much cheaper here! ($45 for a chest x-ray!) That's one of the last things you should do because it expires 1 year after the examination.

Lastly........ Michigan sucks. The Buckeyes rule.

 

[parker24]

re: the car.

They won't ask a darn thing. They will ask if it's owned by you, if so, welcome to Canada!

Once you're a PR, you will have to Import it yes. My husband and I are in the midst of this. It's annoying, time and money consuming, but it's nothing you can't do if you can get through the confusion of CIC!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hello, and welcome sunnymoon

You won't be importing the car until after you become a PR so it too will be visiting. That means your fiance/husband can't drive it (Canadians generally may not drive foreign plated cars withing Canada) but also means you don't need an inspection up front. You can start prepping for the import process by looking at http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-outland-buffalo-applicants/-t106068.0.html;msg1489429#msg1489429

As you think about visiting, etc.somesome of the links on the first page at http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-outland-buffalo-applicants/-t106068.0.html;msg1489429#msg1489429 may be helpful also. Good lucck!

 

[sunnynoon]

So you all are saying that for right now...I can come to visit...stay for a bit...extend my visit if needed...no worry about the car until after PR.

So if I come up to visit...and stay for let's say 9 months and then we decide to get married - won't matter as long as I extend my stay and am ok with not working.

So we can take our time planning the wedding and don't necessarily have to rush just to get me up there to "visit"?

 

[amikety]

So you all are saying that for right now...I can come to visit...stay for a bit...extend my visit if needed...no worry about the car until after PR.

So if I come up to visit...and stay for let's say 9 months and then we decide to get married - won't matter as long as I extend my stay and am ok with not working.

So we can take our time planning the wedding and don't necessarily have to rush just to get me up there to "visit"?

Exactly

The only 'downside' is however long you wait, the application gets pushed back. But if you guys can deal with that, that's all that matters.

 

[sunnynoon]

Well thanks everyone...this has been crazy helpful!

But I think you are slightly mistaken amikety - MI is by far superior to OHIO... ;D

 

[amikety]

The only part "superior" of Michigan is the lake!!!

Har har geography jokes