Proposing to my girlfriend on holiday THEN getting back into Canada.

[StevenSmith3427]

Hi all,

I've been in Canada since Sept 2014. I went to visit family in England in Jan 2015 with my girlfriend, and now I'm going on holiday to the Dominican Republic in May 2015 for 2 weeks with her.

I plan on asking my wife to marry me whilst we are on holiday, but I'm really worried I will not be let back into Canada when I go through customs.

My 6 month travelers visa was renewed in January 2015.

Should I be worried about not getting back into Canada?

Last time I was at customs, the officer gave my girlfriend and I a rough time. I said we live together and are applying for common-law after a year. He said what am I going to do for 6 months, you can't just do nothing for 6 months. It is not realistic.

Can anyone give me some advice on things to say and not say when I go through customs?

Many thanks,

Ste

 

[Awesomeg]

Hi all,

I've been in Canada since Sept 2014. I went to visit family in England in Jan 2015 with my girlfriend, and now I'm going on holiday to the Dominican Republic in May 2015 for 2 weeks with her.

I plan on asking my wife to marry me whilst we are on holiday, but I'm really worried I will not be let back into Canada when I go through customs.

My 6 month travelers visa was renewed in January 2015.

Should I be worried about not getting back into Canada?

Last time I was at customs, the officer gave my girlfriend and I a rough time. I said we live together and are applying for common-law after a year. He said what am I going to do for 6 months, you can't just do nothing for 6 months. It is not realistic.

Can anyone give me some advice on things to say and not say when I go through customs?

Many thanks,

Ste

Customs is a big problem....
At this stage I would prefer not to go anywhere outside Canada
just because of the uncertainly of what will happen upon return.
You have to answer all questions honestly, that is the best policy,
but, at the end of the day,
they are the ones that will rule.... and anything can happen.

 

[taffy7]

Not much you can do except try. My husband came from the U.k, got married here then we went to the DR for our honeymoon and didn't have any trouble getting back into the country . You have not moved here, that is a key word, you are visiting with your girlfriend not living with her . CBSA and CIC use words differently. Chose wisely.

 

[StevenSmith3427]

Ah it's so stressful.

When I get to customs, is honesty really the best option? If so, I'd say something a long the lines of:

I've been in Canada since September 2014, got my travelers visa renewed Jan 2015. In this time I have lived with my girlfriend, we have joint Canadian bank accounts, I've paid rent throughout the duration of my stay. I've not worked, I don't plan on working and I know I can't. I'm planning on getting married in May. My girlfriends next to me if you need to confirm this. Once I'm married I will apply for permanent residency.

Is this the best option?

Thanks for the responses!

 

[rhcohen2014]

you do not want to lie to customs. if you lie, and they find out or CIC finds out, then you will have more trouble, even be given a ban to enter canada or having a pr app denied. always say the truth. speaking the truth does not necessarily mean elaborating. answer only what is asked, and don't offer up more than necessary.

there is nothing wrong with leaving canada and proposing to your girlfriend while on vacation and coming back with a valid visa (if one is required). that alone is not going to be a reason for being denied entry. being denied entry happens when immigration believes you are lying, not telling them the whole story, plan to work in canada illegally or plan to stay beyond the time they give you (without going through the proper proceedure).

whenever you cross, you want to be able to prove ties to your home country and use the right language. you are not "living" or "moving" to canada, you are only "visiting". just because the last immigration officer gave you a hard time, doesn't mean the next will. there are many people who successfully enter canada to become commonlaw or stay during pr processing. your experience will depend on what information they have in the system about you, what they ask, what your answers are, and unfortunately the mood of the officer you meet. really, the only way to know what happens is to be prepared and seek entry.