Hi everyone. I'm marrying my Canadian fiance (this weekend!). I plan on applying for PR outland as soon as the FBI papers come in (hopefully by May!), staying in the US until late June when my job is over and staying in Canada to wait out my PR. I was told that I probably won't have too much trouble as long as I show ties to the US (I will be getting paid from my US job through September) and don't act like I'm 'moving' for good. My guy will be with me when I cross, as he is coming to the US then to attend our belated wedding reception. I was also told that I should get a visitor's pass so I can come and go by myself without much trouble in the future, and I can apply for an extention if I need to stay longer. However, my guy seems to think this can be a risk as I could be denied once they start asking more questions. I think we will be in a decent position (he's working full time, I'll be getting paid for several months after, and we both have savings) but what is your opinion on this? Has anyone had experience with this? Thanks :)
Also- crossing over tomorrow night for the wedding. I stuffed my simple wedding dress at the bottom of my suitcase and plan on just saying it's a weeklong visit (which is true). My parents are going up earlier that day and are saying they are going on a vacation. (This isn't contrived, I just have to wait until after work :) ) Is that the right course of action? :)
To be honest, your fiancé has a point - if you're just coming for the weekend, and have a job you're going back to for Monday, you might be inviting more attention than is necessary asking for a visitor record.
If you do decide to ask for the VR, be sure to have all the evidence on hand - including fees receipt for the PR application - to show you're serious about applying for PR, and proof of your job in the US. Get him to explain to the IO, that because he's going to be sponsoring you, you were told it might be good for her to have a visitor record for her *visits* to Canada. Make it abundantly clear that she's planning to carry on working in the US until approved for PR, and you should be good.
In theory that's all OK, but I'd be concerned about you getting the "IO from hell" we all dread and ending up not allowed in the weekend of your own wedding. I might suggest getting the VR the next time you come in, after you're married, since the entry this time is somewhat more important than usual.
Thanks for the reply! Sorry, I was just referring to getting a visitor's record for the extended stay I will have from June on to..whenver I get my PR. For the weekend visits before then I don't plan on asking for one. Thank you :)
That makes sense. Just remember that, although a VR does prove your status in Canada so you can extend it if need be, it doesn't automatically let you back in if you leave Canada (although the fact that it was issued goes some way to show that you've already demonstrated a legitimate temporary reason for being in Canada, in the opinion of the IO that issued it, so may make it easier.)
Thanks for the info! Should I inform them that I will not have a job to go back to in the states or should I stretch that truth a bit? I'm a teacher so being there for the summer months is no stretch, but asking for 6 months at the end of June could cause trouble. I will have a US address and bills.
Don't ask for a specific period of time. The IO will determine how long s/he wants to admit you for. How long is really not an issue because the VR gives you the ability to
apply from within Canada to extend your status. So even if you only get a month, or the three months of your holidays from school, you'll be okay to apply to stay longer as long as you get the extension request to CIC BEFORE your status expires. Track the mailing, get delivery confirmation: that's your proof that you have "implied status" to remain in Canada until they make a decision on the extension (about 100 days).
When you enter Canada, your new husband needs to be with you, and he needs to do
all the talking. All he's going to tell them is that you are married, he is sponsoring you for PR, and he wants you to be able to wait with him until the application is finalized. You shouldn't have to prove that you have a job, or even that you have a residence in the States if he is able to prove that you are legally married, that he can support you and that he has applied (or will soon apply) to sponsor you. Those types of questions (home, job, etc.) won't come up as long as the rest of your ducks are in a row. Just remember - you don't tell them anything unless it's in answer to a
specific question that's directed at you. You should even go so far as to have your husband hold your passport and all other documentation - rather than you handing anything over to them yourself.
Thanks for the advice! :) It's good to know that my situation is pretty standard.. I'm just such a worrier!
Getting a Visitor Record this way seemed risky to me too before we crossed the border, and things got a little dicey at the first round of questioning, but once we went inside and talked to the immigration people everything went very smoothly. I got the impression that this is routine and happens all the time, at least at the larger crossings.