Marrying a Canadian and moving to Canada sounds exciting, right? But before you pack your bags, there are a few steps you need to follow. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from getting married to settling down in the Great White North. Whether you’re in love with a Canadian citizen or want us to get you a permanent resident, this guide will help you understand the process.
Why Marry a Canadian to Move to Canada?
If your partner is Canadian, getting married opens the door to permanent residency. Through Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program, a Canadian spouse can sponsor you to live and work in Canada permanently. However, it’s important to remember that marrying a Canadian doesn’t give you automatic moving rights. You have to follow a proper legal process.
So, let’s start this guide on how to marry a Canadian and relocate to Canada, step by step.
Step 1: Decide Where to Get Married
Before moving to Canada, the first question is where will you get married?
There are two options:
- In your home country (e.g., Nigeria)
- In Canada
Each option has steps, but both can lead to a successful sponsorship application.
Option 1: Getting Married in Your Home Country
Let’s say you decide to get married in Nigeria, for example. Here’s how:
- Get a Marriage License: You must obtain a marriage license from the local registry or government. A marriage license usually involves filling out some forms and submitting identification documents.
- Civil or Religious Ceremony: You can choose a civil ceremony at a marriage registry or a religious wedding, like in a church. Ensure it’s legally recognized.
- Marriage Certificate: After your wedding, make sure you get your official marriage certificate from the government. This document is essential for your Canadian immigration process.
Option 2: Getting Married in Canada
If you’d prefer to get married in Canada, follow these steps:
- Visitor Visa: First, you’ll need a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) to travel to Canada. Apply online or through a Canadian embassy in your country.
- Marriage License: Once in Canada, you must apply for a marriage license. This can be done at a local city hall or municipal office. Bring your passport and ID.
- Marriage Ceremony: After you get the license, you can have a civil or religious ceremony. Make sure the officiant is legally allowed to marry you.
- Marriage Certificate: The province or territory will issue an official marriage certificate after the ceremony. This document is important for your sponsorship application.
Step 2: Start the Spousal Sponsorship Application
Once you’re married, the next big step is the Spousal Sponsorship Program. This is the official way for your Canadian spouse to sponsor you to come to Canada as a permanent resident. Here’s how it works:
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, make sure you and your spouse meet the requirements:
- Canadian Spouse: Your spouse must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 years or older, and can financially support you.
- Foreign Spouse (You): You must be legally married to your Canadian spouse or have lived together for at least 12 months (common-law).
Documents You Need
You’ll need several documents to complete the sponsorship application. These include:
- Marriage Certificate: This proves your marriage is legally recognized.
- Proof of Identity: A valid passport and birth certificate.
- Police Clearance: A police clearance certificate from your home country (and any other country you’ve lived in for over six months).
- Medical Exam: You’ll need to undergo a medical exam by an approved doctor.
- Proof of Genuine Relationship: This includes photos together, messages, emails, letters, and any documents proving your relationship is real.
Filing the Sponsorship Application
- Gather All Documents: Both you and your spouse must fill out forms and gather documents.
- Submit the Application: Your Canadian spouse submits the sponsorship application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can apply for permanent residence at the same time.
- Pay the Fees: There are processing fees which your partner will cover. Your spouse must also commit to financially supporting you for at least three years after you arrive.
- Processing Time: It can take between 12 to 18 months for your application to be processed, depending on where you’re applying from. The Canadian government will assess your relationship and check all your documents during this time.
Step 3: Proving Your Marriage is Genuine
Canada takes immigration fraud seriously, so you’ll need to show that your marriage is genuine. Here are some ways to prove this:
- Photos Together: Include photos of you both at different times and locations (wedding photos, holidays, events with family, etc.).
- Communication Records: Provide screenshots of chats, emails, or phone records showing regular contact.
- Joint Finances: If you have a joint bank account, shared bills, or other joint assets, include these in your application.
- Statements from Friends and Family: Letters from close friends or family who know about your relationship can help prove it’s real.
Remember, the more evidence you provide, the more your application will strengthen.
Step 4: Choose Between Inland or Outland Sponsorship
Two spousal sponsorship processes exist: inland and outland.
Inland Sponsorship
- You’re Already in Canada: If you’re already in Canada (e.g., on a visitor visa), you can apply for inland sponsorship.
- Open Work Permit: If you apply inland, you can also apply for an Open Work Permit, allowing you to work in Canada while your permanent residency application is processed.
- Stay in Canada: You must stay in Canada during the application process, as leaving could delay or cancel your application.
Outland Sponsorship
- You’re Outside Canada: If you’re applying from your home country (like Nigeria), you’ll use the outland sponsorship process.
- Processing Time: Outland applications can be faster sometimes, and you can stay in your home country while waiting.
- Visit Canada: You may still apply for a visitor visa if you want to visit Canada while waiting, but entry isn’t guaranteed.
Step 5: Passing Medical and Background Checks
Once your application is in process, you’ll need to pass a few additional checks:
- Medical Exam: You’ll need to visit a doctor approved by the Canadian government to undergo a medical examination. This is to ensure that you don’t have any serious health issues that could prevent you from moving to Canada.
- Criminal Background Check: Canada requires you to have a clean criminal record. If you’ve lived in other countries besides Nigeria, you’ll need police certificates from those countries, too.
Step 6: Temporary Residency While Waiting
If you’re applying from inside Canada, you might be eligible for an Open Work Permit while you wait for permanent residency. This allows you to work legally in Canada. You’ll need to apply for this permit when submitting your sponsorship application.
If you’re applying from outside Canada (outland sponsorship), you must wait in your home country until the process is completed.
Step 7: Approval and Moving to Canada
Once your spousal sponsorship application is approved, you’ll receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa.
If You’re Outside Canada (Outland Sponsorship)
- You’ll need to enter Canada using your permanent resident visa. This allows you to land as a permanent resident officially.
- At the border, you’ll show your visa and COPR to immigration officials, who will finalize your permanent residency status.
If You’re Already in Canada (Inland Sponsorship)
- You’ll be contacted to schedule an appointment with an IRCC officer to finalize your permanent resident status.
Step 8: Life in Canada as a Permanent Resident
Congratulations! Once you’ve moved to Canada, you’ll be a permanent resident. Here’s what that means:
- Work and Live Anywhere: As a permanent resident, you can live and work anywhere in Canada.
- Access to Healthcare: You’ll have access to Canada’s public healthcare system.
- Path to Citizenship: After living in Canada for three years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.
Conclusion
Marrying a Canadian and moving to Canada can be a life-changing experience, but it requires careful planning and patience. From choosing where to get married to submitting your sponsorship application, this step-by-step guide has covered all the key details.
Following these steps and providing strong evidence of your genuine relationship, you can successfully navigate the process and start your new life in Canada. Good luck!