Questions about Inland/ Outland applications and border.

[melissaelaine]

So my fiancé and I are planning on getting married in June, and then me come back to Canada with him right after. I'm an American citizen. I want to stay with him the entire time our sponsorship application is processing and I have some questions.
1. From what I've researched, outland seems the best way to go. But I want to absolutely sure that I can stay with him while its being processed. (I don't really have any places to stay here. Also, we obviously don't want to be separated.) So, how can I make it guaranteed that I can stay with him during the processing times? And if it will be difficult, does an Inland application automatically mean I can stay in Canada without any hassle (besides filing for an extension to stay)? I would rather do outland, but I want to be with him no matter what. Which brings me to:
2. I'm really confused as to what I do at the border. Do I tell them we are applying for the sponsorship? Also, we are very young and don't have much money so proving I can provide for myself has always been a hassle at the border. So would they still care about money? If so, how much? It'll be hard to us to get a lot. So if I do get approved to stay for 6 months, will it be likely that they approve me to extend it since we are applying and he is my spouse? I guess I'm just wondering how the border will go down. And any advice on how to make it easier to get over would be helpful. I'd like to take my car.
I think that's all the questions for now We've both been so confused on everything. Any help would mean a lot.

 

[agarand8]

Unfortunately I don't think there is anything to guarantee that you will be able to stay in Canada with him for the entire time if you are applying outland.

Applying inland has longer processing times, but you can work and stay in Canada. I read on a different thread here that if you are denied through inland you cannot make an appeal so you should consider how long you have been together and whether you have enough proof of a relationship before you apply inland.

I hope someone else who has experience can answer your border crossing questions. I think if they see you are married and you say you are planning to apply for residency they might not let you in because you are a risk to overstay your Visa, especially if you don't have family or any place to go back to in the US. If you don't tell that you're married and just say you are travelling or something, you are right you will have to prove you have enough money. Maybe if your husband has some money he can put it in your bank or something so that you can get across.

You should also consider that for your application you will need criminal record checks from wherever you are from and maybe even an FBI clearance, you should get these documents and any others that you would need before you come to Canada so that you don't have to leave again.

I have a friend who married an American and he was in Canada for a while but they made him leave eventually and he actually lived in a hotel close to the border until his sponsorship application was approved. It was an outland application as well. His wife travelled every weekend to visit him. It's true that it's horrible to be apart, most of us on this forum have experienced that. I am right now away from my husband again, but you just do what you have to do. If you have to be apart it will only be temporary and he can visit you at least. My husband is in Costa Rica, flights alone would cost me $800 to visit, at least you are American and can live much closer.

 

[Ponga]

Good advice from agarand8.

I'll just add that you can order your FBI PCC from within Canada. You simply take the fingerprint card (that you download from the FBI website) to any local agency, like the Commissionaires, in Canada to have your fingerprints taken. You have to do the old fashioned `ink and roll', as digital (or Live Scan) prints cannot be sent electronically across the border into the US. It takes ~6-8 weeks for you to receive the letter from the FBI (your police report) that you then forward to CIC. If you apply Outland, you need to send this with your application. If you file an Inland application you can wait until you have AIP (the stage where your sponsor has been approved, and your relationship has basically been approved) to send it in. It is only valid for 3 months, so make sure that if you submit an Outland application, get it in the mail ASAP after you get the letter.

The real issue at the border is convincing the border officer that you will leave Canada if your application is not approved. Since you say that you will be married when you enter Canada, it would be best if you had your application already submitted (and paid all the fees, if possible ($1040) just in case you need proof that you have applied.

Good luck!

 

[melissaelaine]

Thanks for all of your information! So we talked about it and have brain stormed an idea. So what if we go up together in my car after he visited here for a week (to tell my parents) and we did not get married in America. So we go up to the border as a boyfriend/girlfriend couple, and inform the officers that I am planning on staying there for 2 months. Then while I'm there, we get married, file the sponsorship application, and then apply to extend my visa. Would this work? We're just afraid of getting denied at the border for any reason since I do want to bring my car and won't have a return ticket. Thanks!