Pre-IR1 filing questions: marriage, visiting

[jelky 14]

Hi there, I'm just looking for a little advice and verification in this big confusing process! I am Canadian, my boyfriend is American.

We are planning to get married in October 2015 (no big wedding or anything like that) in Toronto, and then file for IR-1 in a few months. My questions:

1) When we get married, is it as simple as getting a marriage license, getting married, and applying for a marriage certificate? Do we need any special permissions since he is not Canadian? I've read that there are no citizenship requirements, but I want to be sure.

2) Does my boyfriend need to declare that he is getting married when coming into Canada? Will this (getting married) prevent him from being able to enter Canada to visit in the future? Will he need to declare that he got married when he returns to the US?

3) Once we are married, will this make it difficult for me to enter America to visit? Will I need a tourist visa? I would probably only be able to visit him every few months for 2 weeks at a time.

4) How soon after we are married should/can we apply for IR-1?

Just to clarify, my goal here is to move to the US to live with my boyfriend and work legally. We are under the impression that the IR-1 route is the way to go, as the K1 process is a little intimidating in regards to the time constraints, AoS, and AP. I honestly don't really understand the purpose of the K1 anyways. Is there something I'm totally missing here?

Thank you in advance!

Edited September 15, 2015 by jelky

[Ryan H 3,795]

Answers:

1. Canada specific answer needed
2. Canada specific answer needed
3. You will not require a tourist visa. However, be prepared to show strong ties to Canada in the event they are asked for by CBP.
4. The petition can be filed by the US Citizen anytime once the marriage certificate is in-hand a photocopy of it is made. You applying for the visa itself will only come after the petition has been approved.

[sexyafrican36 42]

Point to note what you applying for isn't for Ir1 it's will be a CR1 since you are not married and marriage may just be a few months when you apply...IR1 are for marriages over two years

[jelky 14]

Answers:

1. Canada specific answer needed
2. Canada specific answer needed
3. You will not require a tourist visa. However, be prepared to show strong ties to Canada in the event they are asked for by CBP.
4. The petition can be filed by the US Citizen anytime once the marriage certificate is in-hand a photocopy of it is made. You applying for the visa itself will only come after the petition has been approved.

Ok thanks!

Point to note what you applying for isn't for Ir1 it's will be a CR1 since you are not married and marriage may just be a few months when you apply...IR1 are for marriages over two years

Thanks for pointing that out! I understand the difference, just mistook one for the other.

Anyone who can answer the marriage/declaration questions?

[sexyafrican36 42]

I don't not believe that your boyfriend would be affected in anyway either when visiting or returning to the states with the intention of marrying but also do find out if canada requires special license when getting married to a foreigner because most countries do....for more information view this link for regional discussion regarding any questions you might have and post your questions directly there to get more accurate response

http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Canada

Edited September 15, 2015 by Sexyafrican36