Fiancee to Canada issues...advice urgently requested!

JulianUSA says on Dec 30, 2007, 15:42:

Think twice about marrying to a Colombian woman after knowing her for less than a year... colombian women can be more harmful to your health than smoking cigarettes for your whole life

Julian Garcia

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guacharaca says on Dec 30, 2007, 15:43:

If your intended spouse is wealthy, has a good job, perhaps a house, and most importantly, has really well established ties to Colombia, then she is the two percent that will be approved for a temporary resident visa to Canada. That is, if and only if, you are able to keep your marital intentions a secret and be hidden from her life in the application process before the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

Since that is not likely the case, your best bet is to marry her in San Andreas (just to save time) where only a passport is required of the foreigner. You will still eventually need all those same documents from your home country and your country of residence for the Immigrant visa process. The Immigrant visa will take at least 8 months to process from the time you put the application in. The Alberta CIC helpline knows very little about the attitude of the personnel in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota towards Colombians hoping to visit Canada.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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tompower says on Dec 30, 2007, 16:12:

the guy above is right about going to san andres, I married my wife in the catholic church and didn't need to provide a birth certificate or search of marriage to marry her in the church I did need permision from my parish in canada and a batisim certificate. If your not a catholic u could convert in colombia over a couple of weekends then marry her without anything more than a passport and get a marriage certificate that in spite of everything she says is as valid as a mariage with a notary.

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Costa Rica Jones says on Dec 30, 2007, 16:45:

This sounds like internet rumor.

How do Colombian Jews get married in Colombia?

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ronDMC says on Dec 30, 2007, 17:04:

JulianUSA, thanks for sharing your opinion but I guess I will follow my heart on this one as it is not everyday that I feel this way about a person, and her being Colombian will not cloud my decision.

Thanks guacharaca and tompower. I guess the visitor visa is out of the question for me now, seeing that the embassy will definitely read between the lines. When you talk of San Andreas, you mean San Andrés the Island right? And tompower, are there only catholic churches on the island that you know of? Is there anything required to show that you are catholic? I grew up catholic but later took a different path so that may not be a problem.

Thanks a bunch guys...

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tompower says on Dec 30, 2007, 19:17:

i was refering to catholic marriage anywhere in colombia, she and you need to prove ur baptised in catholic church or convert.

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tompower says on Dec 30, 2007, 19:18:

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/canadians-how-to-sponsor-your-co...

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 30, 2007, 19:19:

I thought the 2% rule was for the US. Is it the same for Canada?

Costa Rica Jones - They get married in a synagogue. Or civily, like a lot of Colombians do.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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guacharaca says on Dec 30, 2007, 19:30:

2% is just a figure of speech. Canada is less than USA though because of people seeking asylum. Canada is known to be a big sucker for most of the fake asylum seekers.

Yes, San Andreas the island. Call the notary there. I think there is only one.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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eywed says on Dec 30, 2007, 19:48:

ronDMC- why not try the invitation letter first and see what happens. If they give you a no on that then move forward. If you dont ask they can't say yes or no. I know your post said urgent but nothing moves real fast when it comes to these matters.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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ronDMC says on Dec 30, 2007, 20:17:

eywed, I know where you are coming from but I just don't see how I can conceal the fact that she is my fiancee during the invitation process. In speaking with one of the CIC reps I was assured that as long as there is any suspicion of double intentions for her visiting Canada, the visa will almost certainly be denied. I said urgent in my request because up until yesterday I was planning to use the invitation option because I didn't know any better, and I leave for Colombia in a few days. But with this additional info that I've gotten, I don't think it is worth it just to test the waters and see if I'm any different than those who've failed before me. I do not mind having to wait the 8 months, as long as I know it is an assured process....

Thanks all.

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tompower says on Dec 31, 2007, 05:21:

RonDMC i just read your status,... are u a citizen or a permanent resident of canada? If you're not a citizen you can't sponsor anyone.

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ronDMC says on Dec 31, 2007, 06:13:

tompower, I am permanent resident and I confirmed that I can sponsor anyone just as well. I travel to Barranquilla in a few days and I am going to do more research on San Andres. How much advance notice do you require for a marriage there, do you know?

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bill230 says on Dec 31, 2007, 06:21:

Panama could also be an option. Colombians can go there without problem and it is easy to get married there.

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manINred says on Dec 31, 2007, 08:55:

It is hard to get a tourist visa, very hard for a Colombian. I phoned immigration Canada and they left me with an optimistic taste in my mouth, saying that she should get the visa, but I think there is a disconnect between the embassy in Bogota and Canada immigration's optimism! I hope you find a way. From my experience, I just didn't bother trying to get a tourist visa, it seemed a waste of time. It is a huge shame that a country (Canada) that prides itself on immigration has such closed borders in certain respects.

"I will follow my heart on this one as it is not everyday that I feel this way about a person, and her being Colombian will not cloud my decision"

I am glad you take this viewpoint, I do too. People often forget this when making disingenuous stereotypes about Colombian women.

Best of luck!

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ronDMC says on Dec 31, 2007, 11:09:

Thanks manINred. I hear you very well on that false optimism standpoint, as that is how I felt a few days ago. I guess I will have to do it the hard way then...

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jinksmiester says on Dec 31, 2007, 12:20:

Im happily married to lovley colombian lady here in canuck land and life has never been better.Its unfortunate that some relationships don,t work out but i would,nt let that rain on your parade if you love this lady.....no such thing as a fiacee visa for canada....a visiters (difficult to obtain) or you marry the lady first...or live common law with her or(congugual relationship)meaning she is like your wife but for reasons beyond yours or her control you can,t be together.All three are the same as appling as if she were your wife and all three require you to sponsor her. Getting hitched in san andres is your best bet and applying for her to come as your wife...took lots of paper and 8 months to get my wife her pr visa and into canada and thats the very best time frame you could hope for.......all the best..good luck

A man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams

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ronDMC says on Dec 31, 2007, 13:02:

Thanks jinkmiester. I am comforted to know that others have been there and done that before me. I really love this girl and that is all I care about, not where she is from or how long I have known her!

I take it you were married from San Andres too? I doing some research on the place and I am sure I will find out more when I am down there next week. Can I fly there direct or I have to take local flights from Barranquilla?

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tompower says on Dec 31, 2007, 13:03:

My apologies Ron ilooked into it and ur right a permaent resident can sponsor a spouse just like a canadian citizen,.... what are u waiting for?

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ronDMC says on Dec 31, 2007, 15:01:

I am waiting to say the "I do"s first so I can start the process. Before yesterday my plan for next week's trip was to help my fiancee apply for a Visitor's visa, but now that has all changed to planning a wedding in San Andres. By they way, will I have some translation during the ceremony or everything is done in Spanish? (I keep getting my Spanish mixed up with French...but I am getting there slowly...)

So if I understand you correctly, all I need to get married in San Andres either religiously or not is my passport, correct?

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guacharaca says on Dec 31, 2007, 15:45:

Yes, only your passport. However, she will need the normal documents. Call the notary in San Andreas for details. And now for some really good advise: Without the CIC knowledge, spend your eight months waiting period in Colombia guarding your treasure. Many Canadians have brought home their fruit of passion and found a few bite marks that were not there when they got married. Eight months is way too long for most Colombian women. Keep an eye on your emotional investment.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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hongo_joe says on Dec 31, 2007, 15:47:

And have a good time.

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casachucky says on Mar 9, 2008, 08:10:

Hey I married my wife in colombia recently and now trying to get her here on a visitor visa, and apply later for the permanent visa.(Im trying my luck to be accepted) In case you need information on the structure of a Invitation Letter. I used the one on this site www.invitationletter.net

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vicshere says on Mar 9, 2008, 08:30:

casa ...if you are living in Canada and she is living in Colombia and you are married you can not apply for a tourist visa..in the application she will have to put your name as a husband and married....this will raise red flags ..and will be disallowed....why not just apply for permanent visa...it wouldn't be a much longer wait...

listo

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ronDMC says on Apr 15, 2008, 17:31:

Thanks all...I got married in San Andres last month! Now getting geared up for the 8 months or more wait:-(

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