Greensburg, PA asked in Immigration Law for North Carolina

Q: My girlfriend lives in Canada if I was to go visit and get married can I file something and end up staying in Canada?

We have been for years but trying to figure out the quickest way to go about it

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James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: If you marry a Canadian citizen and want to stay in Canada, you can apply for spousal sponsorship under the Family Class category. Your spouse would need to sponsor you for permanent residence. This process involves proving your relationship is genuine and meeting certain income requirements.

Once married, you should submit the sponsorship application along with the necessary documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The process can take some time, so it's advised to review all requirements and prepare your application carefully. During this period, you might be able to stay in Canada by extending your visitor status, but this doesn't guarantee that you can remain in the country until your application is approved.

It's highly recommended to check the latest information and guidelines on the official IRCC website or consult with a legal expert in Canadian immigration law. Planning and preparation are key, as well as understanding that immigration processes can vary in duration and complexity based on individual circumstances.

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