Q&A

Can you get married in Canada as a US citizen?

Can you get married in Canada as a US citizen?

American couples, different-sex or same-sex, may go to Canada to marry. Canada, like the United States, has no residency requirement for marriage (though it does have a one-year residency requirement for divorce).

Can a US citizen live in Canada if married to a Canadian citizen?

(This is a different matter from moving out of Canada to the US, however). If you are already living in Canada legally on a visa such as a work permit or study permit and have married a Canadian citizen, you can remain in Canada while the application for spousal sponsorship is being processed. This is referred to as inland spousal sponsorship.

How do you get a green card in Canada if you marry an American?

If you are outside of the United States, you would apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate in Montreal. In order for a Canadian to qualify for a green card by marrying a U.S. citizen, they must be able to demonstrate that the marriage is legitimate and bona fide.

Can a Canadian citizen get spousal sponsorship in the US?

There are two main ways of applying for spousal sponsorship for Canada if you are married to a Canadian citizen. (This is a different matter from moving out of Canada to the US, however).

Can a spouse apply for permanent residence in Canada?

The sponsor must for first be approved and then the spouse can apply for permanent residence. Over the years, a few cases of immigration marriage fraud have led the Canadian government to impose stricter rules on all spousal sponsorship cases, even if they are legitimate marriages.

Do I become a Canadian citizen when I marry a Canadian?

The answer is no. Citizenship is not automatic when you marry a Canadian. You would have to apply for it. The requirements and process for citizenship will be the same as for everyone else.

What is the process of marrying an US citizen?

The U.S. citizen spouse must start the process for you, by submitting a visa petition on Form I-130 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The form must be accompanied by evidence of the marriage being legally valid, namely a marriage certificate, as well as proof that the marriage is bona fide, not merely a sham to get you a green card. How the rest of the application process will be handled is more complicated.

How do you marry a Canadian?

Marriage to a Canadian Citizen does not mean that you are automatically Canadian. You must first apply for Permanent Resident status through the sponsorship program. You must then apply for Canadian citizenship and meet the same requirements as any other person seeking Canadian Citizenship.

Can a DACA person marry?

However, some DACA recipients can obtain a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, if they meet the following specific criteria: Have a valid and good faith based marriage to a U.S. Citizen; and Be admitted into the U.S. lawfully (Re-entered the U.S. with Advance Parole ).