Difference in getting married in Canada or us

[tbrisner 0]

Hi guys.

I'm American fiance is canadian. We don't have any visas. We want to get married but we don't know if there's a difference if we do it in the US or Canada. She's heard stories of people not being allowed in canada for a year if they got married in the US. Any links or advice would help. Thanks

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Marry in the USA, you apply for her spousal visa and she's there for a year or so in canada.

Marry in Canada, same spousal visa is needed.

[ChristinaG 91]

Hubby and I got married in Ann Arbor Michigan last year.... I crossed the day of, told the guard I was getting married and I was returning to Canada in a few days.... checked the trunk and wished me well..... easy peesie!!

One of the big things is whoever is crossing the border - carry proof of ties to your home country (lease agreement, letter of employment, etc)... don't give the guard any reason to think you're coming in to get married and you're going to stay......

For us, the marriage license was a lot cheaper in Michigan than it was in Ontario - that was the deciding factor

[redbeard 22]

I can tell you this based on my personal experience (I am US Citizen husband with Canadian wife...married in Canada). The CBSA are far more easy going than the US CBP. Granted I hold a Nexus card, but the Canadian border officers could, and have always cared less what my intentions or duration of stays were in Canada. On the day of our wedding I literally told the Canadian officer that I was coming up to get married. She never asked for proof of ties or whether I was ever intending to even go home after the wedding! All I got was a "Congrats" and "Have a nice day!" In more than probably 150 entries I have never been asked for proof of ties or ever sent to Secondary. My wife gets sent to Secondary every time she comes south to provide proof of ties.

I can almost guarantee you will have more stringent questioning from the US officers. If you are honest with them about coming over to get married there is a good chance you will be denied entry. They are far more paranoid and militant than their Canadian counterparts (Most are ex military with big egos I suspect). Be smart when interacting with them. Never lie, but NEVER volunteer information that they do not SPECIFICALLY ask for. It does not pay to be upfront about EVERYTHING.

Honestly you are much better off getting married in Canada IMO.

[ChristinaG 91]

.....I can almost guarantee you will have more stringent questioning from the US officers. If you are honest with them about coming over to get married there is a good chance you will be denied entry. They are far more paranoid and militant than their Canadian counterparts (Most are ex military with big egos I suspect)......

I would say that is not entirely true....... it is specific to each case. In the previous year I've crossed into the US more than hubby has come here (at least 3 or all 4 weekends each month!) and only ONCE did I run have to actually get asked for any paperwork..... Nexus makes it very easy to cross! And I've never been hauled into secondary.

The day I crossed to get married, I got a younger girl who seemed rather new.... she did not actually ask for any paperwork either......

Going into the US is just as easy as coming into Canada, IMO.....

I find the easiest way to cross is answer exactly what they ask. The wedding day was something like:

Guard - where are you going (me) Ann Arbor

(G) - what are you doing there (me) getting married

(g) double take

(g) have you started the paperwork yet (me) nope

(g) how long are you staying (me) returning Monday morning

(g) I'm going to look in the trunk (me) ok

(g) looks at the two suitcases I have (one for me, 1 for kids) but not actually in them...

(g) speaking to daughter - is that your blue dress (daughter) *nods*

(g) that will look lovely on you. Have a nice day and oh congratulations.....

I had to teach hubby how to get across the border - he's a talker! LOL Never Lie! But keep your answers short, sweet, and to the point....

[carocaro 22]

I can tell you this based on my personal experience (I am US Citizen husband with Canadian wife...married in Canada). The CBSA are far more easy going than the US CBP. Granted I hold a Nexus card, but the Canadian border officers could, and have always cared less what my intentions or duration of stays were in Canada. On the day of our wedding I literally told the Canadian officer that I was coming up to get married. She never asked for proof of ties or whether I was ever intending to even go home after the wedding! All I got was a "Congrats" and "Have a nice day!" In more than probably 150 entries I have never been asked for proof of ties or ever sent to Secondary. My wife gets sent to Secondary every time she comes south to provide proof of ties.

I can almost guarantee you will have more stringent questioning from the US officers. If you are honest with them about coming over to get married there is a good chance you will be denied entry. They are far more paranoid and militant than their Canadian counterparts (Most are ex military with big egos I suspect). Be smart when interacting with them. Never lie, but NEVER volunteer information that they do not SPECIFICALLY ask for. It does not pay to be upfront about EVERYTHING.

Honestly you are much better off getting married in Canada IMO.

"CBSA far more easy going" ?? Not in our experience. We are also Nexus holders. My then boyfriend (now husband) had more trouble at Canadian Customs Calgary airport after arriving to visit me one time, than I ever had coming to visit here in the US many times. He was in his late 40's, significant ties to US including own business and home, etc. and in secondary questioning Canada wasn't very friendly, and lasted extended time!

I think sometimes just luck of the draw!

Caro

[NikLR 13,220]

~~moved to off topic from IR1/5 process and procedures~~

Both my husband and I feel that CBSA is easier to deal with than the CBP. They're generally friendlier but it depends on the person obviously.