I am trying to relocate to Canada from the United States because I am going to marry a girl from Canada. I am applying for jobs and once I have a valid job offer, I will apply for a temporary work visa. Once we are married, I will apply for either a permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship. However, she heard from several people that I might not be able to legally work in Canada for up to a year after we are married. That doesn't make sense to me...would I then have to quit my job and just sit at home for a year? Would I be eligible for unemployment? Health care, etc? If anyone knows if this is true or not, please write and with information or resources that prove or disprove it. And if it is true, are there ways around it? And how does marriage affect citizenship eligibility for both the US and Canada? Thanks in advance for your help. God bless.
Vancouver - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
you should not
2 :
First of all, congrats on the upcoming marriage! I also married a Canadian, and had no trouble at all. Before we got married I had a temporary resident visa. The marriage shouldn't affect your ability to work-- that doesn't make sense. You would still be bound by whatever restrictions your temp visa stipulates (permission to work, etc). Once you are married you can apply for permanent residence, provided that your spouse agrees to sponsor you, and as long as you pay all application/residence fees. You can then apply for citizenship once you've been in the country for 3 out of the past 4 years (time spent in the country with a temporary visa counts as half time). As for citizenship, Canada does allow dual citizenship with other countries. The US has different rules, but if you are a US citizen by birth then you will have no trouble. A US citizen can acquire foreign citizenship and will NOT lose their US citizenship (contrary to the popular belief that the US does not permit dual citizenship. That is only in the case of naturalization-- when a new immigrant becomes a US citizen they must renounce their previous citizenship. But a born citizen never loses theirs). Good luck!
3 :
Your ability to work in Canada has absolutely nothing to do with getting married. So long as you obtain a job with a company that is willing to sponsor you on a work visa, you will be able to work. A work visa (TN visa) is for a period of 12 months and must be reapplied for every 12 months or every time you change jobs (whichever comes first). Once you are married, you will qualify for permanent residency or be able to apply for citizenship (you can actually maintain your US Citizenship and apply for "dual citizenship". I am a US citizen (who is a stay at home mom) that has recently moved to Canada (my husband is Canadian). I am working with a company in Calgary (that is where we moved) that is helping us apply for my permanent residency. Possibly they can help you? Canadian Immigration Solutions- (403) 246-2692
4 :
If you are applying for a temporary work visa through a company DO NOT TELL them you are planning on getting married. My friend married an American fellow this summer. The immigration lawyer said that it is better not to mention that you are planning to get married while applying for visa's. The other issue is that the Conservative Federal Government is trying to make changes to the immigration laws which could make the process even slower. I do know that my friends that have married non-Canadian citizens have had to wait a year before getting an official work permit. As for having your temporary work permit I am unsure if renewing it once expired will be more difficult once you are married. This website is a good place to start. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html By the way make sure to have your relationship documented such as having pictures of the two of you with friends and family of your fiance. You may need to have friends write up a letter of recognition in support of your relationship. Good luck and congratulations.
5 :
you mean your right to work! not ability
6 :
Getting married shouldn't affect anything - if you have a work visa, that covers your work but doesn't limit what you do with your private life. But if you're concerned, don't go by the guesses you'll get online. Check with Canadian immigration, through the nearest consulate, and find out for sure. You certainly don't want to jeopardize either your job or your marriage. Good luck to you, and your fiancee.
