If I marry my Canadian girlfriend....?

Question

I'm a US citizen. If I marry my Canadian girlfriend in the USA am I allowed to stay in Canada while the paper work is going through for our Spousal visa? If so am I able to work and how soon? Any idea how long that paper work takes in Newfoundland?

Answer 1

Since I am doing this with my American husband right now here is what you have to do. There are two ways of applying, you can either stay in the US and apply that way. (Which means you would travel back and forth to visit your wife) or you can apply from with in Canada. Two different set of paper work, make sure you have the right one.

What they call first stage approval takes 7-8 months, and all that says is that your paper work is good to go and you are in the final steps. Everything that the document checklist asks for you better have, or it will slow the process. Don't forget your State Police certificate or your FBI certificate(put a deadline date on it or it will take forever) Then you have a medical, pictures and the ability to prove that your relationship is genuine. The marriage certificate won't be enough, the long form (registration) is better.

As far as working, you have 3 ways of doing it. 1) A job offer before you get here, 2)finding a job here and going through a Labour Assessment and getting a confirmation number, 3) sending in with your application an Open Work Visa which gives you implied status to stay and you do not have to renew anything. This one takes the full 7-8months, but you can work anywhere after you get this. As for a SIN # if you have a job offer you have to apply for one after you start your job. If you find a job, the same thing. If you find a job in Canada then get the confirmation number you have to apply for a visa outside of Canada (ie buffalo) and you get the work visa in about a month.

If she is sponsoring you she has to be able to support your basic needs(food/clothing/shelter/medical) once you gain permanent residence for anywhere between 3-10years depending on the situation. It is a long drawn out process and the more you contact them about your paperwork the more it seems to take.
Application fees will probably run about 1100 after you figure out everything. Which is not including prints, pictures, medicals and all the copies of important paperwork. The State and FBI Certificates have to be originals or they will send them back.

Processing times take the same anywhere, you are looking at a good year, so be prepared for it. there is a number that you can call in Canada, so do your homework before hand and ask questions before you submit everything.

Now you know everything that I do.... www.cic.gc.ca is the website for all the forms and guides you need. Make sure you read EVERYTHING and don't forget anything.


Good Luck

Answer 2

I know someone that was in the same place as you, I don't know the details but all i know is that the person from canada wasn't allowed in canada for like 16 months i think it was during or soon after the paper work, something about proving something. Sorry i can't be any more clear. I just thought i'd give you an idea of how long paper work can take.

Answer 3

Check with Canadian Immigration. Immigration is a federal matter, not a provincial one, so it doesn't matter that you will be in Newfoundland. The regulation was that you could stay in Canada for six months, but could not work without a work visa, which is a whole separate bunch of paperwork. Things have been changing so rapidly because of terrorist tensions that it's hard to say what is happening right now. So your best bet would be to ask Canadian immigration.
Good luck to you both!

Answer 4

yes you're allowed to stay in canada while the paper work is going through for the spousal visa. and I don't think you're able to work, unless you get a work visa. as for how long the paper work takes I can't honestly tell you. My husband's english and I'm canadian, me and my husband have just gotten married in june of this year, he's too lazy to send off the spousal paper work, but he's planning staying in canada with me next year for a few months. but he's not able to work unless he gets a work visa.

Answer 5

It is like when an American gets married to a Brit. The Brit is still British and the American is still an American. The same way with you. If you want to live in Canada, you must at least find yourself a job.
Or, vice versa if she wants to live in the states. But, she will have to realize that the laws of the states are much different then in Canada.

Answer 6

If you get married in the US, then you got to stay there until the paper work is done. which can take up to 6 weeks, wink wink
no matter what office you use in Canada.
If you get married In Canada you can stay and start to work right away.
As a Canadian let me say Congratulations on your up coming wedding and Welcome to Canada.

Answer 7

no u ae not allowed to work during that time. u have to wait for the visa to be approved prior to u being able to swork. Then you have to apply for a social insurance card which takes 6-8 weeks... So after the whole process it takes a minimum of 6-8 months

Answer 8

In canada, cant you just get married despite where you live. Or do you have to become a canadian citizen? If you need to become a canadian citizen, or she needs to become an american citizen, id suggest YOU become the Canadian, because it is easier.

Answer 9

Canada doesn't care what you are, your gf will become American, You should have a job before you get married, just like america because you married a canadian you become Canadian American.