my boyfriend is american, and i'm a canadian. we're considering marriage after he's finished with the marines. i have a few questions about him and i getting married..
would he have to become a canadian citizen, or would i have to become an american citizen?
if he moves up here, applies for permanent residency but not actual citizenship, what are his rights?
anything else you can think of would be greatly appreciated. :)
Basically, if you're going to get married, you have to decide where you want to settle. If you're going to settle in Canada, once you're married you can apply to sponsor him for permanent residency. This is not the same thing as citizenship - a person has to be a permanent resident and live in Canada for three years before they are eligible to apply for citizenship - but it gives him the ability to live and work in Canada as a "permanent" resident. He cannot "move" to Canada until after he is approved for permanent resident status - but he can come to Canada to stay with you after your marriage, while waiting for the application to be finalized. It takes about 5-10 months total.
Read through the
US2Canada website for more information that's specific to US citizen spousal applicants, and if you're considering getting status in the States (as opposed to him coming to Canada) you can visit a good forum at visajourney.com for more info.
As a permanent resident, you and your dependants have the right:
- To receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage
- To live, work or study anywhere in Canada
- To apply for Canadian citizenship. For more information on becoming a Canadian citizen, see Apply for Citizenship on the left-hand side of this page
- To protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
As a permanent resident, you and your dependants cannot:
- Vote or run for political office
- Hold certain jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement
- Remain in Canada if you are convicted of a serious criminal offence and have been told to leave the country.
In choosing whether you should emigrate to the States or your boyfriend should emigrate to Canada, my advice is for you to sponsor him for permanent residence in Canada. From my experience and from couples I know that have chosen to settle in the States, Canadian Immigration is cheaper,simpler and faster.
Like RobsLuv said permanent residency is not citizenship, and he wouldn't
have to become a citizen of Canada or vice versa, but it is an option for him later down the road if he fulfills the residency requirements.
I am so glad I found this forum! It is such a relief to have others in the same situation as myself. I am Canadian and my fiance is American. I have only one question if anyone can answer:
if I want to sponsor him up to Canada from the USA do we have to marry in Canada? Or does it not matter where the marriage takes place? I just dont want to mess up anything before the application is even started!!
I would appreciate any responses thank you so much!
No, it doesn't matter if you get married in Canada, US or if you have a destination wedding somewhere else. As long as you get a valid marriage licences.
Oh, one thing I didn't mention earlier about citizenship - US citizens and Canadian citizens are allowed "dual citizenship" . . . so either of you could take citizenship in the others' country and not lose your birth citizenship.