US Citizen coming to Canada to marry Canadian

[phel 3]

Hi there,

My bf/fiancé is planning on coming to Canada in early June; we plan on marrying then.

My question is: what exactly do we say - or how should we divulge - when he lands and is interrogated by customs/border patrol? We don't want to lie, but we wouldn't for any reason want him to be turned away just because we want to get married and subsequently file a petition for a visa for me to move to the US as his spouse.

I, of course, would not move to the US until the visa was processed and approved and he would return to the US shortly afterward... just being overly cautious, I guess.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

[Inky 1,111]

Not sure why you posted in k3! K3s are pretty much dead now, no one uses them. You should look at CR1. Also there is a canadian section that would help you a lot more than the k3 section!

Anyways at POE tell the truth, answer the questions they ask. Don't give out extra info if its not asked for.

Marriage certificates take a while to get in canada, to file you would have to wait to get the marriage certificate and he would need to petition from the USA for you.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hi there,

My bf/fiancé is planning on coming to Canada in early June; we plan on marrying then.

My question is: what exactly do we say - or how should we divulge - when he lands and is interrogated by customs/border patrol? We don't want to lie, but we wouldn't for any reason want him to be turned away just because we want to get married and subsequently file a petition for a visa for me to move to the US as his spouse.

I, of course, would not move to the US until the visa was processed and approved and he would return to the US shortly afterward... just being overly cautious, I guess.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Definitely look at the CR-1 visa as the K-3 is virtually dead and soon to be discontinued. Regardless, it shouldn't make much difference to your plans.

When your fiance arrives at the border he should answer the questions. If he is asked the purpose of his visit, he can say to visit his fiancee and that he will be returning to the US on such and such a date. He should bring with him proof of his residential ties to the US - a letter from his employer showing he is expected to be at work on such and such a date; a copy of a lease or a mortgage or similar ongoing residential commitments, if he flying then a return ticket, things like that. If he is asked about your future plans he can say you are going to be getting married and then will be starting the immigration paperwork for you to move to the US.

They want to make sure that he isn't planning on staying in Canada without the proper authority but as long as he is prepared with the proper identification and proof of ties to the US he should be fine. He should answer the questions they ask and not try to 'hide' your plans, but not necessarily reveal them unless it is obviously part of the answer. Be sure that he volunteers the information about when he will be returning to the US as this often helps as well.

Good luck

Edited April 2, 2010 by Kathryn41

[canadian_wife 1,829]

When my husband crossed to marry me he was asked what the purpose of his visit was to Canada. He replied "to marry my girlfriend". The agent looked at him and said "congratulations, you planning on returning to the United States"? He replied 'yes' and showed his return ticket. They stamped his passport and it took approx. 5 minutes. There were no issues. It is perfectly legal to enter Canada and get married and then go back to the US. What they dont' like is lying or sneaking around or attempting to move around immigration laws.

Good luck.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Moving to the Canadian sub-forum from K3 case filing and progress reports as there are likely to be some further first-hand experiences available there, and this is not a case filing update for a K3 visa.

[neiks 19]

When my husband crossed to marry me he was asked what the purpose of his visit was to Canada. He replied "to marry my girlfriend". The agent looked at him and said "congratulations, you planning on returning to the United States"? He replied 'yes' and showed his return ticket. They stamped his passport and it took approx. 5 minutes. There were no issues. It is perfectly legal to enter Canada and get married and then go back to the US. What they dont' like is lying or sneaking around or attempting to move around immigration laws.

Very good advice!

When the Canadian officer asks the purpose of your trip, I recommend you tell them exactly what you are doing, when you are planning on returning to the US and that your intentions are for your new spouse to immigrate to the US. Be prepared as in any visit to show your ties to the US, ie, job and residence in the US that you are returning to. Travel with only the necessary personal belongs for your length of stay and have adequate money or available funds to support your intended length of stay in Canada.

Congratulations to you and good luck.