Marrying a Canadian - Sharing Secrets to Success

Love without borders has connected thousands of Vietnamese and Canadian hearts, turning the dream of marrying a Canadian into a beautiful reality. However, the journey from saying "I do" to obtaining a legal marriage certificate and a settlement visa is not as simple as many might think. Understanding the process and preparing thoroughly will help Vietnamese-Canadian couples overcome legal challenges to reunite. View details.

Why is marrying a Canadian so appealing?

Marrying a Canadian citizen or permanent resident offers the fastest and most stable pathway to settlement today. Unlike economic immigration programs that require significant investment or high educational qualifications, the marriage-based settlement route has one core requirement: genuine love and a long-term commitment.

Marrying a Canadian attracts many people today

A sponsored spouse under the marriage category will receive Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) status with full rights similar to Canadian citizens, except for the right to vote. This includes the freedom to work, access to free healthcare, and eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship after three years.

Compared to other immigration programs that may take 3-5 years, spousal sponsorship applications are typically processed within 12-15 months. In particular, legally married couples with clear evidence of their relationship often have a very high success rate.

Two main options: Getting married in Vietnam or Canada?

Getting married in Vietnam - A popular choice

This is a preferred option for many couples due to its low cost and convenience for Vietnamese families to attend. However, the legal process is quite complex as it must meet the requirements of both countries.

You can choose to get married in Vietnam or Canada

Advantages:

• Low organization costs

• Easy for both families to attend

• Familiarity with Vietnamese procedures

• Ability to hold a traditional Vietnamese cultural ceremony

Disadvantages:

• Complex paperwork procedures

• Lengthy preparation time

• Requires translation and notarization of many documents

• Dependent on the consulate’s schedule

Getting married in Canada - A modern choice

More and more couples are choosing this option due to its simple process and clear legal framework. However, the biggest challenge is how the Vietnamese partner can legally enter Canada to proceed with the marriage.

Advantages:

• Simple and quick procedures

• Protected by Canadian law from the start

• Easier to proceed with immigration processes afterward

• Transparent legal environment

Disadvantages:

• Higher costs

• Difficulties in obtaining a visa

• Challenging for Vietnamese family members to attend

• Requires understanding of Canadian laws

Getting married in Canada on a tourist visa: Risks to know

Using a tourist visa to get married in Canada violates the original purpose of the visa and may lead to a refusal of immigration applications. The Canadian government is very strict in monitoring cases of visa misuse for other purposes.

Using a tourist visa to get married in Canada

Potential consequences:

• Banned from entering Canada for 5 years

• Marriage-based immigration application denied

• Negative record in the Canadian immigration system

• Impact on future visa applications

Legal alternatives:

1. Family Visit Visa: This is a legal option for your Canadian partner to sponsor you to visit Canada with the clear purpose of meeting and potentially proceeding with marriage.

2. Fiancé(e) Visa: Although Canada does not have an official fiancé(e) visa program like the U.S., you can apply for a temporary visa with the explicit purpose of getting married.

3. Common-law partner sponsorship: If you have a stable relationship with evidence of cohabitation (even long-distance), you may consider the pathway of sponsoring a common-law partner.

Procedures for registering a marriage with a Canadian in Vietnam

Phase 1: Preparing documents from the Canadian side

The Canadian partner needs to prepare the following documents and send them to Vietnam:

Required documents:

1. Certificate of single status

   • Issued by the provincial government of Canada

   • Valid for 6 months from the date of issue

   • Must be legalized by the consulate

2. Copy of Canadian passport

   • Notarized by a Notary Public

   • Accompanied by a certified Vietnamese translation

3. Certificate of marital status

   • If previously married: Divorce certificate or death certificate of former spouse

   • Must be legalized by the consulate

4. Birth certificate

   • Original or certified copy

   • Translated into Vietnamese and notarized

Complying with the procedures for registering a marriage with a Canadian in Vietnam

Phase 2: Consular legalization in Vietnam

All documents from Canada must be legalized by the consulate at:

• Vietnamese Consulate in Canada (if processed in Canada)

• Canadian Consulate in Vietnam (if processed in Vietnam)

Legalization process:

1. Submit documents to the consulate

2. Wait for approval (7-15 working days)

3. Pay fees (approximately 50-100 CAD per document)

4. Receive legalized documents

Phase 3: Marriage registration at the People's Committee

The marriage registration procedure is conducted at the People's Committee of the district/county where one of the two parties is permanently residing.

Required documents:

1. Marriage registration application (standard form)

2. Identification documents of both parties

3. Certificate of marital status

4. Pre-marital health check certificate

5. 4 joint photos (4x6 cm)

Processing time: 15-20 working days

Fee: Approximately 100,000 - 200,000 VND

Marriage procedures in Canada

Both parties must be at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian consent if under 18. Additionally, both must be single, legally divorced, or widowed.

Detailed process:

Step 1: Obtain a marriage license, must be obtained from the license issuer or Vital Statistics office of the province, valid for 3 months

Required documents:

• Passport or photo identification

• Certificate of Single Status

• Divorce certificate (if previously married)

• Fee: 75-150 CAD depending on the province

Step 2: Conduct the wedding ceremony

• Must be officiated by an authorized officiant (e.g., minister, judge, or notary public)

• Requires at least 2 witnesses over 18 years old

• Sign the marriage registration in the presence of the officiant and witnesses

Step 3: Receive the marriage certificate

• 2-4 weeks after the ceremony, you will receive the Certificate of Marriage

• This is the official document required for immigration procedures

Marrying a Canadian is a gateway to a new life

Marrying a Canadian is not just a marriage but also a gateway to a new life in one of the world's most livable countries. However, this pathway to Canadian immigration requires thorough preparation in terms of legal, financial, and emotional aspects. Are you planning to marry a Canadian and need professional support? The expert team at Quốc Tịch Thứ Hai is ready to assist you, contact us now.