Canadian marrying USC to reside in Canada

[durbug 0]

Hello, I am a Canadaian citizen engaged to a USC. We would like to be married in the US but then reside in Canada following that for at least a year. It doesn't seem like any of the visas really apply to the situation and that I should be able to go down as a visitor, be married and return to Canada with my wife. Am I missing something? I would hate to find out that I wasn't allowed into the US for our wedding.

Are there implications then as well for visiting the US after being married? If, at some point, we decide to live in the US can I just apply for an IR1-CR1 at that time or do I have to start that right away? Do you recommend stopping and talking with border officials at the crossing normally used?

Thank you for your time and comments.

[Heather&Matt 0]

Hello, I am a Canadaian citizen engaged to a USC. We would like to be married in the US but then reside in Canada following that for at least a year. It doesn't seem like any of the visas really apply to the situation and that I should be able to go down as a visitor, be married and return to Canada with my wife. Am I missing something? I would hate to find out that I wasn't allowed into the US for our wedding.

Are there implications then as well for visiting the US after being married? If, at some point, we decide to live in the US can I just apply for an IR1-CR1 at that time or do I have to start that right away? Do you recommend stopping and talking with border officials at the crossing normally used?

Thank you for your time and comments.

You are free to marry wherever...we got married in New York State and I still live in Canada (pending visa approval to move to the US). You are free to go and visit her in the US, make sure you carry ties to Canada with you (rent receipts, bank statements, pay stubs, utilities bills ets..) so they know you plan to return to Canada.

Unless you have a Visa, you cannot just move to the United States.

You can start the CR-1 process whenever you want, we started 3 months after getting married. But it does take about a year before everything is completed and you need to reside in Canada during that time.

You can talk to border guards if you would like to get some more information. We plan on doing to talk about my POE.

Finally, I am not sure about the Canadian Immigration process at all...so I can't give advice on her moving to Canada.

Edited January 13, 2011 by Heather&Matt

[Canadiandggal 49]

Hello, I am a Canadaian citizen engaged to a USC. We would like to be married in the US but then reside in Canada following that for at least a year. It doesn't seem like any of the visas really apply to the situation and that I should be able to go down as a visitor, be married and return to Canada with my wife. Am I missing something? I would hate to find out that I wasn't allowed into the US for our wedding.

Are there implications then as well for visiting the US after being married? If, at some point, we decide to live in the US can I just apply for an IR1-CR1 at that time or do I have to start that right away? Do you recommend stopping and talking with border officials at the crossing normally used?

Thank you for your time and comments.

Welcome to the forums,

You Can go to the States and get married with the intent on returning home ... It is not illegal to go to the states and marry.

You may be sent to secondary however If they suspect you are intending to immigrate which in most cases they will, Are you two having a large wedding or just court house?. Just make sure to bring any and all ties to Canada So they likely will let you through. Always tell the truth but there is no need to tell them your life story.

In Most cases you will have no problem visiting after you get married but there are some that will give you a hard time. Once you are married they may look at it as you are "immigrating" so always bring ties to Canada with you on all trips and be prepared to be deny entry.

You can start your visa journey whenever you like, the choice is up to you two. A cr-1 visa is taking about a year to complete so If you would want to move just after a year I would say fill in a few months when you are sure what you two want to do. There are tons of couples that have married and Not immigrated for years or who have started the process asap. The choice is yours

You can stop and talk to someone at the border you regular cross at but I am not sure it will matter. You are doing nothing wrong and in some cases the less they know the better...

AGAIN I am not saying lie just no need to tell them anything not asked for. I am also not advising anyone to go to the states with the intent to marry and AOS.

Good luck

[Heather&Matt 0]

You can stop and talk to someone at the border you regular cross at but I am not sure it will matter. You are doing nothing wrong and in some cases the less they know the better...

AGAIN I am not saying lie just no need to tell them anything not asked for.

I like these 2 points

[Flames9_RN 358]

KISS!!! keep it simple stupid!! See my advice in my signature!!

http://www.roadtocanada.com/forums/index.php good immigration site for going to canada

If and when u want to return to the USA, one would probably want to go the DCF route. Check out that forum here on VJ

[durbug 0]

thank you for the replies. Our planned wedding would be fair sized- a church wedding with families etc. Does this make any difference? When crossing the border do you have any suggestions for the best way to tell them that I am getting married on that trip? Do I let them ask questions to find out or volunteer it to begin with so they don't think I am hiding it? Sorry for what may seem to be basic and simple questions. Thanks

[Flames9_RN 358]

KISS!!!!!!!!! only tell them what they ask!!! And yes its legally ok to get married in the USA and all of that, but in the eyes of an POE officer, they may think that you may stay in the USA!! There is a chance you could be denied entry, that goes for anyone that is visiting the USA, more so of a chance if ur visiting an USA boyfriend!! I got married in the USA, never told the POE dude, but he never asked. Ensure u have concrete ties to canada proving u are returning. Its just another part of the immigration process---the wondering if ur going to be hassled/denied entry when one goes to visit! I traveled monthly to DC and never had 1 problem, but others have been hassled/denied. No 1 on here can say what will happen----it pretty much comes down to the POE officer you get. If it were me--I would not be carrying any wedding dress or wedding stuff in my lugguge (well I'm a guy,lol)mail it down prior and only answer the questions they ask, and follow my advice in the signature, but thats just me!! You start yapping 1000 mph, get nervous, POE officer is going to think something is up! KISS keep it simple stupid,lol

[Udella&Wiz 325]

KISS!!!!!!!!! only tell them what they ask!!! And yes its legally ok to get married in the USA and all of that, but in the eyes of an POE officer, they may think that you may stay in the USA!! There is a chance you could be denied entry, that goes for anyone that is visiting the USA, more so of a chance if ur visiting an USA boyfriend!! I got married in the USA, never told the POE dude, but he never asked. Ensure u have concrete ties to canada proving u are returning. Its just another part of the immigration process---the wondering if ur going to be hassled/denied entry when one goes to visit! I traveled monthly to DC and never had 1 problem, but others have been hassled/denied. No 1 on here can say what will happen----it pretty much comes down to the POE officer you get. If it were me--I would not be carrying any wedding dress or wedding stuff in my lugguge (well I'm a guy,lol)mail it down prior and only answer the questions they ask, and follow my advice in the signature, but thats just me!! You start yapping 1000 mph, get nervous, POE officer is going to think something is up! KISS keep it simple stupid,lol

Agree with Flames 1000% ( Flames - no fancy wedding gown for you? )

P*$$ + cornflakes = Border guard in bad mood - you just cannot predict whether you'll get the 3rd degree or not. I personally never had a problem either and travelled often - still haven't(maybe I look innocent?? ) You should ensure you bring evidence of ties back to Canada - a letter from your place of work indicating when they expect you back to work after your vacation, etc.... Remember - plenty of people go to Vegas to get married, so getting married in another country isn't rare

[Heather&Matt 0]

I never told them I was getting married, even though our wedding site was literally 2 minutes from the border. If they don't ask, then there is no reason to divulge that information. I crossed into the US "visiting my boyfriend" and the next time I crossed (like 3 days later) I was "visiting my husband." No issues.