Wedding Plans

[carolineden11 2]

Hi everyone,

I have been tentative about setting a wedding date because I know it's hard to predict when your visa will be approved. However, we applied in September 2010 and I was hoping to get married in October 2011. Our date isn't set in stone but it's getting to the point where my family needs to start booking plane tickets soon if we want to get married in October. I sent pkt 3 in March and am waiting for pkt 4 from Montreal. The problem is, that Montreal hasn't been booking any interviews for 3 weeks so even when I do get pkt 4, I can't book an interview at this time. Last I saw, they were booking into the end of July and that was 3 weeks ago. I'm a little concerned that I won't get my visa by October. Anyway, I guess my question is, can I go to America and have my reception (without getting married) then return to Canada to finish the visa process? We could have a civil/legal ceremony when I actually get the visa at a later date. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

[Daniel and Laura 1]

Pretty positive Canadiens can visit the states for up to 6 months at a time. As long as your aren't working in the states, you can legally go in and out. A friend of mine dates a Canadien who had to leave the states bc his work visa expired. They are considering doing the fiance visa. So for the time being, she goes up there to visit and he comes down here for weeks at a time. you shouldn't have any problem having a celebration for your wedding in the states while you wait for your interview.

[decocker 7,198]

Hi everyone,

I have been tentative about setting a wedding date because I know it's hard to predict when your visa will be approved. However, we applied in September 2010 and I was hoping to get married in October 2011. Our date isn't set in stone but it's getting to the point where my family needs to start booking plane tickets soon if we want to get married in October. I sent pkt 3 in March and am waiting for pkt 4 from Montreal. The problem is, that Montreal hasn't been booking any interviews for 3 weeks so even when I do get pkt 4, I can't book an interview at this time. Last I saw, they were booking into the end of July and that was 3 weeks ago. I'm a little concerned that I won't get my visa by October. Anyway, I guess my question is, can I go to America and have my reception (without getting married) then return to Canada to finish the visa process? We could have a civil/legal ceremony when I actually get the visa at a later date. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

If you haven't yet had your interview at the time of your reception, then yes - technically you could however it would be entirely up to the Customs Officer when you cross. Personally, I would be worried that the CO would ask too many questions and you might have to divulge that you are crossing for your Reception - which could raise a red flag with the CO regarding your intent to return to Canada.

A considerable risk - especially if you were refused entry and all your family has flown to the states...

[SF2007 48]

Hi everyone,

I have been tentative about setting a wedding date because I know it's hard to predict when your visa will be approved. However, we applied in September 2010 and I was hoping to get married in October 2011. Our date isn't set in stone but it's getting to the point where my family needs to start booking plane tickets soon if we want to get married in October. I sent pkt 3 in March and am waiting for pkt 4 from Montreal. The problem is, that Montreal hasn't been booking any interviews for 3 weeks so even when I do get pkt 4, I can't book an interview at this time. Last I saw, they were booking into the end of July and that was 3 weeks ago. I'm a little concerned that I won't get my visa by October. Anyway, I guess my question is, can I go to America and have my reception (without getting married) then return to Canada to finish the visa process? We could have a civil/legal ceremony when I actually get the visa at a later date. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

I read on a post this morning that Montreal is booked all the way to August and they will clear the backlog before allowing any more appointments to be scheduled. I know you must be eager to be done with this process and it sucks they won't allow booking interviews for now

Keep in mind that travelling to the US on a pending K-1 visa is tricky. No law prevents it but you could be denied entry based on immigration intent reasons. If you are asked if you have a loved one in the US you will have to disclose that you are engaged. Keep in mind when making your decision that entry denial happens to a lot of engaged and married couples with a pending visa. If you do visit, be ready to show strong ties to Canada (pay stubs, letter from your employer saying they expect you back by this date, lodging and rental proofs, etc).

Should you be denied or are offered to withdraw your application for entry, stay calm and polite. It's sad but it won't hurt your visa application as long as you were truthful in your answers. It happened to me and the couple interviewing before us in Montreal last week and we were both approved

I would personally look into hosting your reception in Canada and have your fiance visit instead.

Good luck!

[Casprd 167]

It's always risky to plan ahead this way. Even if you go the route you suggest, there is always the chance that the CBP officer will deny your entry. I would think the fact that you have a pending interview at the consulate in canada, but just don't have the interview date would be a pretty strong tie that you have to return to your home country. One thing to think about and a worst possible scenerio is what if your interview gets scheduled within a day or so (or even on the same day) as the planned reception? Many people will have the civil marraige shortly after arrival and then plan the wedding reception for several months later when everything with the immigrations is finished. There are just too many variables in the process to confidently make any up front plans.

[carolineden11 2]

Thank you for all your advice. The problem with planning a later wedding is that my fiance is military and will be deployed later in the fall. He is only on the continent for about 2 months at a time which does not giving us many options for a wedding date. It's not hard to move around a civil ceremony but a big reception will travelling guests is tricky. I know it's risky but I do have a Nexus card which should help and I am planning on being honest and returning to Canada to finish up the process. I will have a return plane ticket as well as letters from my boss and rental agreements. We might try getting the process expedited for the military reason.

[SF2007 48]

Thank you for all your advice. The problem with planning a later wedding is that my fiance is military and will be deployed later in the fall. He is only on the continent for about 2 months at a time which does not giving us many options for a wedding date. It's not hard to move around a civil ceremony but a big reception will travelling guests is tricky. I know it's risky but I do have a Nexus card which should help and I am planning on being honest and returning to Canada to finish up the process. I will have a return plane ticket as well as letters from my boss and rental agreements. We might try getting the process expedited for the military reason.

In your situation, I would request an expedite.

Best of luck with your wedding planning!

[carolineden11 2]

Can you please tell me where you read the post about Montreal? Thanks!

In your situation, I would request an expedite.

Best of luck with your wedding planning!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

To the OP - yes - you could try this approach - but what if the interview date falls just before the proposed reception date? You may not have your passport because it's at the consulate. Then you're kind of screwed right?

I really suggest that you wait until you know an interview date.....it's a long time away from Oct right now and if you are allowed to book soon (not that the interview date itself will be soon), that leaves plenty of time for your invitees to book flights for Oct (or whenever). This is the reality of our scenario - your guests are going to have to be a little more accomodating and understand. You will also have to realize that not everyone may be able to come if something goes funky.

[SapphireDreams 71]

If you have deployment papers, you can likely get an expedite, I would email the consulate and get more information about that.

I would also hold off on booking something just yet. There's no reason for people to be booking flights this early. 3-4 months notice, which puts you in July/August timeframe is plenty of advance time to book a flight. You should at least know your interview date by then.

[Canadiandggal 49]

Someone just booked a interview for June 1st , She/he did spend most of the day refreshing her page but she did get one so It is possible to get one within the next few months.

[SF2007 48]

Can you please tell me where you read the post about Montreal? Thanks!

Here : http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/306672-anyone-got-an-interview-in-montreal-past-week/

[edsotherhalf 1]

We had our civil ceremony in June and planning a Renewal of Vows after all this process. I am not even picking a date until I at least have a letter in hand with an interview date for Montreal which should be coming any day now. Good luck. I have found with all this process that planning anything like a wedding or reception is almost impossible without final dates. it makes it very stressful.