I'm marrying a Canadian. I am a US citizen.

[cedjeb]

So, my girlfriend is a Canadian citizen and we are planning to get married next year around June. I know that I can stay there for six months upon entry (and I know it's probably best to have a return ticket, as I read they can probably deny me entry even onto the plane), but I am wondering about after I get there.

If I entered in early January (and started the six months) and we got married in early June, is there any way I can stay longer? I know to apply for the Spouse Sponsorship, but the CIC site said that can take up to a year, and maybe even longer. I don't really want to marry her in June and then have to spend our first year of marriage apart.

I haven't been able to find any clear answers on this matter yet, so I'd appreciate any help. Once the application for the sponsorship is admitted, am I allowed to stay in the country? Or is there some sort of visa that I have to submit for? Please help. Thank you!

 

[spousalsponsee]

You can apply to extend your visitor status online (for $100), or flagpole at the border (which contains the risk of being refused entry, and having to leave immediately).

 

[cedjeb]

You can apply to extend your visitor status online (for $100), or flagpole at the border (which contains the risk of being refused entry, and having to leave immediately).

How long would that allow me to stay?

 

[spousalsponsee]

Piece of string.

If you adjust your status online, you request a given length, provide evidence of your ability to support yourself, etc, and this is taken into consideration when they're deciding how long to give you. If you do it at the border, the typical tourist standard 6 months applies, modified as always by the CBSA officer at their discretion, depending on what you say, ask for, tell them about yourself, etc.

 

[cedjeb]

Piece of string.

If you adjust your status online, you request a given length, provide evidence of your ability to support yourself, etc, and this is taken into consideration when they're deciding how long to give you. If you do it at the border, the typical tourist standard 6 months applies, modified as always by the CBSA officer at their discretion, depending on what you say, ask for, tell them about yourself, etc.

So I could request online to stay for a whole year? Or would you recommend requesting another 6 months and then extending it again when that's up?

 

[spousalsponsee]

Personally, I'd ask for the full year. They're more likely to give less than that than they are to refuse it altogether (and if they do give less, you can apply again for extension later), and every time you do it you have to pay $100 and risk being told 'no', so you probably don't want to do it more times than you need to.

 

[cedjeb]

Personally, I'd ask for the full year. They're more likely to give less than that than they are to refuse it altogether (and if they do give less, you can apply again for extension later), and every time you do it you have to pay $100 and risk being told 'no', so you probably don't want to do it more times than you need to.

Thank you so much! You've been such a big help.

 

[mpsqra]

So, my girlfriend is a Canadian citizen and we are planning to get married next year around June. I know that I can stay there for six months upon entry (and I know it's probably best to have a return ticket, as I read they can probably deny me entry even onto the plane), but I am wondering about after I get there.

If I entered in early January (and started the six months) and we got married in early June, is there any way I can stay longer? I know to apply for the Spouse Sponsorship, but the CIC site said that can take up to a year, and maybe even longer. I don't really want to marry her in June and then have to spend our first year of marriage apart.

I haven't been able to find any clear answers on this matter yet, so I'd appreciate any help. Once the application for the sponsorship is admitted, am I allowed to stay in the country? Or is there some sort of visa that I have to submit for? Please help. Thank you!

the most important things are proof of the relationship, like economical support, e-mails exchanges, pictures, travels together, family sharing, etc