Seeking advice on our cr1 visa journey

[Mholland93 1]

Hello everyone, new to the forum here and was looking to get some advice on our cr1 visa journey. 
 

im a US citizen living with my (common law) girlfriend in BC Canada and we’re looking to move to the states. We’ve been living here for 3 years now in an essentially married  (common law under Canada’s definition) relationship in the same house and sharing finances. Our relationship (started online) goes back to 2014 so plenty of time to prove we’re a legit couple. 
 

In august we are going to the states to visit (finally after more than a year cuz of COVID) and plan to obtain a marriage license while we are there. And after we return we plan to start the cr1 visa process. 
 

Just have a couple questions

 

1: would we have trouble proving our marriage is real since we aren’t going to have a wedding? we have joint accounts (in us and Canada) and have been living in the same house for over 3 years and our relationship goes back almost 7 years. Plus we have pics of our travels together and time spent with both of our families. 
2: am I going to have to move back and get a job and an apartment in order to meet the domicile requirements? 
 

thanks in advance for any advice. We’re very nervous to start our visa journey since the visa process for me to move to Canada was such a hassle. 

[arken 4,197]

Wedding is not a requirement. 

[SalishSea 17,836]

2 hours ago, Mholland93 said:

Hello everyone, new to the forum here and was looking to get some advice on our cr1 visa journey. 
 

im a US citizen living with my (common law) girlfriend in BC Canada and we’re looking to move to the states. We’ve been living here for 3 years now in an essentially married  (common law under Canada’s definition) relationship in the same house and sharing finances. Our relationship (started online) goes back to 2014 so plenty of time to prove we’re a legit couple. 
 

In august we are going to the states to visit (finally after more than a year cuz of COVID) and plan to obtain a marriage license while we are there. And after we return we plan to start the cr1 visa process. 
 

Just have a couple questions

 

1: would we have trouble proving our marriage is real since we aren’t going to have a wedding? we have joint accounts (in us and Canada) and have been living in the same house for over 3 years and our relationship goes back almost 7 years. Plus we have pics of our travels together and time spent with both of our families. 
2: am I going to have to move back and get a job and an apartment in order to meet the domicile requirements? 
 

thanks in advance for any advice. We’re very nervous to start our visa journey since the visa process for me to move to Canada was such a hassle. 

Hopefully you realize that it is not just a marriage 'license' you need, but a marriage certificate.  

 

And yes, you will need to address the domicile.  Montreal is very strict on this.

[PeachesMagee 62]

As long as you get legally married, it doesn't matter if you have a ceremony with guests, or not. The key is having the legal paper saying you are indeed, married.

While you're common-law in Canadian eyes, it doesn't mean legally married. All common-law status does is grant protections for personal property, money, family, etc., but does not convey any rights for immigration.

 

Good luck on your journey!