Good Morning - Canadian to wed American

[CreativeCanuck 0]

Good morning VJ'ers!

Over the course of the past year and a half, nearly two years really, I have hopped on VJ and leisurely read posts here and there.

Now, seeing as we are getting married this coming March, I thought it's time to get serious and start the planning for what I must do once we are married.

I started talking to my husband to be January 2012.

We met March 2012.

Engaged April 2013.

Now to be married March 2014. (In Canada)

I the Canadian will be moving south.

Excited and terrified at the same time lol.

It's my understanding we cannot do anything until we are married to begin the visa process?

As well, some other questions;

Once visa is received, is there a time limit between receiving it and POE?

Has anyone had issues visiting one another while the process is on going? What do you tell the border?

I'm also hesitant to tell my work places (I have two jobs) because I don't want to jeopardize anything in the meantime as I know this will be a long process. But will once I have received my visa.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated:)

Thanks,

CreativeCanuck

[canadian_wife 1,802]

I had issues traveling during the process but I also took it for granted. Travel with ties to Canada during the process and you shouldn't have issues.

no, you cannot move without an immigrant visa and since you are marrying in Canada, you will have to wait until you have your official marriage certificate (which comes, if in Ontario 6-8 weeks after the marriage)

Once you get your visa, it is typically 6 months in validity.

I wouldn't tell your work just yet. If you are on good terms, you can have your job list you as 'relocated to be with spouse' which then can help you get EI once in the US.

Good luck, hop on over to the canada forum for more regional answers.

[twin810s 23]

Regarding the crossing back and forth, neither of us usually have problems. But I (the U.S Citizen) get grilled a little more now that we are married when I come back to the states. My husband doesn't really get that many issues coming over to see me. They usually just ask the same questions to me once I say I was visiting my husband: Why are you married to a Canadian and/or why is he Canadian and you an American? (I know, weird questions) Where/how did you two meet? How long have you been together? When did you get married? Who's moving where? Did you file the paperwork yet? If so, when?...as long as you can answer those pretty straight on, you'll be good.

We did however get pulled in and questioned for an hour when we crossed back into the U.S together. But that was just mostly verifying our story and who we were (this was when we were just engaged). We both typically go through the Windsor/Detroit Tunnel. The one time when I crossed the Ambassador Bridge, I said I was visiting my fiance. The guy asked when we got engaged and said "Let me see!"...showed him my hand and he said Congrats! So it basically just depends who you get and what type of powertrip they are on.

Good luck and congrats!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[gwenstar 66]

Congrats on your upcoming marriage!!! Like it is mentioned above - the process can not be started until after you are married and have the official documentation. Since you have some time before the wedding, it will be great to be able to get everything together so that you can file as soon as possible.

This process does not go by a certain time frame, so I wouldn't bring it up with work until your visa is approved. Until that visa is in your hand, there is always something that could come up to delay the process.

My husband and I have not had any issues travelling across the border, everyone has been really mellow. Obviously, always answer questions truthfully - but also know you do not need to volunteer information. It is always good to bring proof of ties to Canada with you anytime you plan on travelling to the states.

Best wishes to you!

[bigdog 376]

Welcome welcome.