My Fiancee and I are going to get married some time next summer, but I hear the paper work takes 4 - 6 months to process. I'm A citizen of the United states and my fiancee is Canadian. Planning to go to canada. :) So my question is.. Can I file my paper work early before were married? Also, when should he apply to sponsor me? Not sure where to start, but would be nice to stay in canada after were married. I know its a long process, but would like to jump ahead get it started now if i'm able to.. Thanks for your help..
~`Katie
Unfortunately he's not eligible to sponsor you until he has that marriage certificate in his hands.
You can however stay with him as a visitor, but you won't be able to work or receive healthcare or be able to move all your stuff up until you are a permanent resident.
What you can do now is start filling out the paper work, do some research ahead of time and get everything planned such as where you will go to get your fingerprints done, what DMP you will go to for your medical exam (designated medical practitioner - you can only get your exam done there - and by the way it's cheaper to do it in Canada), start putting together your proof of relationship documents and add to it as you get new things (pictures, receipts, emails, phone bills, credit card bills etc.). You will also need to account for every place you have lived (full addresses) since the age of 18, and account for what you've done every month since the age of 18 (work, travel, studies, etc.). If either of you have been married previously you must have your official divorce certificate available.
Before we got married I got as much paperwork done as I could. So that all I had left to wait for was the FBI clearance and marriage certificate. Timing the FBI thing is important as it takes a while, it took 10 weeks to get mine. The website says something like 13 weeks I believe. So plan for the latter, if you get it early woot, if not.. not a biggy.
If you plan it right you could get your FBI report around the time you get married, and all you will be waiting for is your marriage certificate. In BC it takes 2 weeks to get the marriage certificate. In Ontario I heard it takes much longer. So you will want to look up the government website that it responsible for the area you are getting married in and find out how long it takes to receive the certificate so you can plan properly.
The medical exam is good for 1 year, my husband got his done one month before the wedding.
I was able to send out our application 3 weeks after we got married, because I did everything ahead of time.
If you want to start the paperwork earlier and be able to have both people working the quickest, look into the USA's fiancee visa.
My Boyfriend is Canadian and I am a American we have been togther for 3yrs. We were wondering if you get married how long does it take to get your passport changed in the US??? Don't you need it for the process?? Also has anyone used a lawyer if so any ideas on a good one in the Ottawa area? We are new to all of this and trying to figure out how to get started!!
uh i thought u can work if u have a work permit and are a us citizen?
(08-22-2010 10:39 PM)USCA Wrote: [ -> ]My Boyfriend is Canadian and I am a American we have been togther for 3yrs. We were wondering if you get married how long does it take to get your passport changed in the US??? Don't you need it for the process?? Also has anyone used a lawyer if so any ideas on a good one in the Ottawa area? We are new to all of this and trying to figure out how to get started!!
It takes a few weeks to
get your new passport with your name change - but you have to send them an original, certified copy of your marriage licence, which can take awhile to get. You can start the PR process using your old passport - with your maiden name. You need to fill out all the application forms using that name, but you can update the processing office with a copy of your new passport as soon as you get it.
Usually no reason to hire a lawyer to help with the process - it's pretty straight-forward once you figure out the paperwork. The hard part is figuring out which is the best way to apply and what is needed (and allowed) when you want to stay in Canada with your partner while waiting to be finalized. Check out the
US2Canada website, and then come back here with any specific questions. Most of us have successfully applied without having to pay a lawyer.
(08-10-2010 06:40 PM)morphia Wrote: [ -> ]Unfortunately he's not eligible to sponsor you until he has that marriage certificate in his hands.
You can however stay with him as a visitor, but you won't be able to work or receive healthcare or be able to move all your stuff up until you are a permanent resident.
What you can do now is start filling out the paper work, do some research ahead of time and get everything planned such as where you will go to get your fingerprints done, what DMP you will go to for your medical exam (designated medical practitioner - you can only get your exam done there - and by the way it's cheaper to do it in Canada), start putting together your proof of relationship documents and add to it as you get new things (pictures, receipts, emails, phone bills, credit card bills etc.). You will also need to account for every place you have lived (full addresses) since the age of 18, and account for what you've done every month since the age of 18 (work, travel, studies, etc.). If either of you have been married previously you must have your official divorce certificate available.
Before we got married I got as much paperwork done as I could. So that all I had left to wait for was the FBI clearance and marriage certificate. Timing the FBI thing is important as it takes a while, it took 10 weeks to get mine. The website says something like 13 weeks I believe. So plan for the latter, if you get it early woot, if not.. not a biggy.
If you plan it right you could get your FBI report around the time you get married, and all you will be waiting for is your marriage certificate. In BC it takes 2 weeks to get the marriage certificate. In Ontario I heard it takes much longer. So you will want to look up the government website that it responsible for the area you are getting married in and find out how long it takes to receive the certificate so you can plan properly.
The medical exam is good for 1 year, my husband got his done one month before the wedding.
I was able to send out our application 3 weeks after we got married, because I did everything ahead of time.
Good advice about doing paperwork, advance research, etc.
