Sponsoring spouse

[monkeytowninavillage]

Planning to do an inland application in January when my girlfriend visits, couple of questions and just to note: she's an American citizen

1.) At port of entry, I know she's able to stay up to 6 months w/ just her tourist visa, assuming we have the wedding as soon as she lands, what would be a good length of time to tell the CBSA? As we'd need the marriage certificate (which can supposedly take up to a month), and we would immediately start the PR process as soon as we get the marriage certificate, but I'm worried about the turnaround between getting the marriage certificate and applying for PR to get her an OWP so that she has implied status to remain in the country and doesn't overstay her tourist visa

I know the option for a visitor record is also there, but figured OWP was the easier of the two to apply for once you get the AOR

2.) She will be living with me (obviously), would it be advantageous to wait and gather documents showing that she's living at my address? Cellular, internet, utilities, banking, etc.
Or, would it just be easier to apply and say we aren't currently living at the same address (officially) and just submit the corresponding documents that our relationship is genuine? (photos together, chat conversations, etc)

 

[Ponga]

Planning to do an inland application in January when my girlfriend visits, couple of questions and just to note: she's an American citizen

1.) At port of entry, I know she's able to stay up to 6 months w/ just her tourist visa, assuming we have the wedding as soon as she lands, what would be a good length of time to tell the CBSA? As we'd need the marriage certificate (which can supposedly take up to a month), and we would immediately start the PR process as soon as we get the marriage certificate, but I'm worried about the turnaround between getting the marriage certificate and applying for PR to get her an OWP so that she has implied status to remain in the country and doesn't overstay her tourist visa

I know the option for a visitor record is also there, but figured OWP was the easier of the two to apply for once you get the AOR

2.) She will be living with me (obviously), would it be advantageous to wait and gather documents showing that she's living at my address? Cellular, internet, utilities, banking, etc.
Or, would it just be easier to apply and say we aren't currently living at the same address (officially) and just submit the corresponding documents that our relationship is genuine? (photos together, chat conversations, etc)

U.S. citizens do not need/get a visitor visa.

She can always apply to extend her stay as a visitor, BUT...you should not assume that she automatically will be given 6 months initially. It is true that most U.S. citizens will get `the maximum', but it also depends on how questions, if asked from the CBSA officer are answered.

In terms of what to do/say about her `staying' with you:
Until she has been approved for PR status, she will remain a visitor to Canada. She should not volunteer information to CBSA that she will be `living' in Canada while applying for spousal sponsorship, but if asked directly...she has no choice but to answer truthfully.

Have a look at something called Dual Intent:
https://www.canadavisa.com/immigration-canada-dual-intent.html

The caveat, for her, is that she is not ready to apply for spousal sponsorship, so the above may or may not be relevant in her case.

If she submits an Outland application (which can be done if a Foreign National is actually IN Canada), there is no requirement to be living together, thus no burden of proof to show.

She may need to provide evidence of [still] having strong ties to the U.S. (e.g., job, home, bank account{s), etc.) if CBSA asks.

 

[monkeytowninavillage]

U.S. citizens do not need/get a visitor visa.

She can always apply to extend her stay as a visitor, BUT...you should not assume that she automatically will be given 6 months initially. It is true that most U.S. citizens will get `the maximum', but it also depends on how questions, if asked from the CBSA officer are answered.

In terms of what to do/say about her `staying' with you:
Until she has been approved for PR status, she will remain a visitor to Canada. She should not volunteer information to CBSA that she will be `living' in Canada while applying for spousal sponsorship, but if asked directly...she has no choice but to answer truthfully.

Have a look at something called Dual Intent:
https://www.canadavisa.com/immigration-canada-dual-intent.html

The caveat, for her, is that she is not ready to apply for spousal sponsorship, so the above may or may not be relevant in her case.

If she submits an Outland application (which can be done if a Foreign National is actually IN Canada), there is no requirement to be living together, thus no burden of proof to show.

She may need to provide evidence of [still] having strong ties to the U.S. (e.g., job, home, bank account{s), etc.) if CBSA asks.

This was very helpful, thank you.

From what it seems like, inland applications seem to have increased processing times, so maybe outland is the way to go. I know it's important to maintain status during the application process, assuming we were to go the outland method - is the pathway for an OWP using an AOR still possible? Or would my best bet to apply for a visitor record?