Proxy Marriage

[YSL1989]

Hello,

I want to sponsor my spouse and my marriage must be through proxy because I can't enter my home country Syria (for security reason) and my spouse can't get visa to almost any country because she is Syrian national.
Moreover, IRCC may revoke my permanent residence status if I entered Syria because I entered Canada as a refugee.
I believe that there is contradiction in the two requirements (one prevents me from entering my home country with the risk of losing my PR and another makes it compulsory to do so to be present in the wedding ceremony!)
What alternatives do I have?
Can I have an exception from IRCC? who should I contact?

Thanks

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hello,

I want to sponsor my spouse and my marriage must be through proxy because I can't enter my home country Syria (for security reason) and my spouse can't get visa to almost any country because she is Syrian national.
Moreover, IRCC may revoke my permanent residence status if I entered Syria because I entered Canada as a refugee.
I believe that there is contradiction in the two requirements (one prevents me from entering my home country with the risk of losing my PR and another makes it compulsory to do so to be present in the wedding ceremony!)
What alternatives do I have?
Can I have an exception from IRCC? who should I contact?

Thanks

1. As a refugee from Syria, you are going to have to find a way to marry outside Syria.
2. No, there are no exceptions from proxy marriages, unless you are in the Canadian military

 

[scylla]

Hello,

I want to sponsor my spouse and my marriage must be through proxy because I can't enter my home country Syria (for security reason) and my spouse can't get visa to almost any country because she is Syrian national.
Moreover, IRCC may revoke my permanent residence status if I entered Syria because I entered Canada as a refugee.
I believe that there is contradiction in the two requirements (one prevents me from entering my home country with the risk of losing my PR and another makes it compulsory to do so to be present in the wedding ceremony!)
What alternatives do I have?
Can I have an exception from IRCC? who should I contact?

Thanks

Proxy marriages aren't accepted by IRCC. I don't believe exceptions are granted.

I would look into traveling to a country such as Malaysia where your wife can go visa-free and getting married there in person.

 

[YSL1989]

Hi



1. As a refugee from Syria, you are going to have to find a way to marry outside Syria.
2. No, there are no exceptions from proxy marriages, unless you are in the Canadian military

I tried to marry from Egypt but I also did not get a visa!
I don't think that is fair judgement.

 

[canuck78]

I tried to marry from Egypt but I also did not get a visa!
I don't think that is fair judgement.

As a protected person in Canada you were aware of your limitations. I can delay marriage until you receive citizenship

 

[YSL1989]

As a protected person in Canada you were aware of your limitations. I can delay marriage until you receive citizenship

As a protected person, I didn't sign any document saying I should not marry from your home country.
Getting the citizenship will not change the situation. I face a real risk if I enter my home country.

 

[YSL1989]

Proxy marriages aren't accepted by IRCC. I don't believe exceptions are granted.

I would look into traveling to a country such as Malaysia where your wife can go visa-free and getting married there in person.

This is an option but it is very costly. Another concern is that I can't guarantee that Malaysian officials will accept our passports as IDs for marriage purpose since I will not be holding any residence card there for such a short trip.

 

[canuck78]

As a protected person, I didn't sign any document saying I should not marry from your home country.
Getting the citizenship will not change the situation. I face a real risk if I enter my home country.

Part of the Canadian laws involve not recognizing proxy marriages. That was easy to google before seeking or agreeing to be a Canadian protected person. So was the fact that you would lose your protected status if you used your Syrian passport or returned to Syria.

 

[Addus]

No details about the existing relationship were given but I am wondering if conjugal might be an option here?
If it’s really true you have made every effort and it’s literally impossible for you to marry but you are in a genuine relationship then isn’t that the exact case conjugal is meant to cover?

Maybe someone who is more familiar with conjugal could comment if you provided more info about your relationships and what steps you have taken or plan to take to try marrying.

It has a very high bar to prove though and you may not be eligible based on your situation, as such you should exhaust every other option.

I agree with the above posters that this isn’t “unfair” though. I sympathize with your situation but there are very good reasons proxy marriage and returning to a country you are seeking protection from are disallowed. Besides, nothing says the immigration rules have to be “fair”, just that they apply to everyone equally and are in the best interests of Canada.

 

[canuck78]

No details about the existing relationship were given but I am wondering if conjugal might be an option here?
If it’s really true you have made every effort and it’s literally impossible for you to marry but you are in a genuine relationship then isn’t that the exact case conjugal is meant to cover?

Maybe someone who is more familiar with conjugal could comment if you provided more info about your relationships and what steps you have taken or plan to take to try marrying.

It has a very high bar to prove though and you may not be eligible based on your situation, as such you should exhaust every other option.

I agree with the above posters that this isn’t “unfair” though. I sympathize with your situation but there are very good reasons proxy marriage and returning to a country you are seeking protection from are disallowed. Besides, nothing says the immigration rules have to be “fair”, just that they apply to everyone equally and are in the best interests of Canada.

Think there is likely to be an option to marry in a country in south east Asia. For conjugal to be an option OP would need to show that he and his fiancee had tried to meet in various countries and couldn't find one that would accept his RTD and would grant his wife a visa. She would likely have to return to Syria until spousal sponsorship is approved. Don't know if OP already has their PR or how long he has been in Canada.

 

[shalenabennie]

Miss scylla just have you a perfectly good option. Malaysia. I personally don't think it's FAIR that I am stuck in Saudi with my 2 Canadian children while my husband is forced to wait a year to do a background check because the CBSA is backlogged with refugee checks, but it is what it is. You knew what you were giving up when you came to Canada, and in my opinion, it was a very small price to pay for what you've gained. If you love your wife, find a way to make it work instead of complaining about our rules and regulations that are in place to keep us safe, just because thet are not convenient for you.

I tried to marry from Egypt but I also did not get a visa!
I don't think that is fair judgement.

 

[canuck78]

Miss scylla just have you a perfectly good option. Malaysia. I personally don't think it's FAIR that I am stuck in Saudi with my 2 Canadian children while my husband is forced to wait a year to do a background check because the CBSA is backlogged with refugee checks, but it is what it is. You knew what you were giving up when you came to Canada, and in my opinion, it was a very small price to pay for what you've gained. If you love your wife, find a way to make it work instead of complaining about our rules and regulations that are in place to keep us safe, just because thet are not convenient for you.

The system isn't backlogged because of refugee cases. 1 year processing time for spousal sponsorship is much faster than most countries. Canada processes way more economic immigration and family reunification cases than refugees so you can blame those applicants more than the refugees.

 

[canuck78]

I'm not talking about the standard 1 year processing. Im taking about the background only

So am I. The 300,000 immigrants a year, international students, family reunification are not being delayed by refugee background checks. Refugees probably account for 5-10% of background checks.

 

[shalenabennie]

So am I. The 300,000 immigrants a year, international students, family reunification are not being delayed by refugee background checks. Refugees probably account for 5-10% of background checks.

So am I. The 300,000 immigrants a year, international students, family reunification are not being delayed by refugee background checks. Refugees probably account for 5-10% of background checks.

16%.... But sure I see your point

 

[YSL1989]

Miss scylla just have you a perfectly good option. Malaysia. I personally don't think it's FAIR that I am stuck in Saudi with my 2 Canadian children while my husband is forced to wait a year to do a background check because the CBSA is backlogged with refugee checks, but it is what it is. You knew what you were giving up when you came to Canada, and in my opinion, it was a very small price to pay for what you've gained. If you love your wife, find a way to make it work instead of complaining about our rules and regulations that are in place to keep us safe, just because thet are not convenient for you.

I totally agree that the law is eventually in the interest of Canada (not myseft or certain people) but on the other hand, there must be legal path for every situation. I am not committing any mistake or something against the law if I want to sponsor my spouse from my home country!
Canada is built by migration (which refugee is one of this kind) so there must be legal way and most importantly practical.
What I mentioned is not specific for my case but for every refugee. I hope you understand the situation.