The context
An immigration country with clearly published procedures and, in Quebec, a provincial layer that adds a second decision-maker. Both must say yes.
Entering the country
Depending on nationality, an electronic travel authorisation or a temporary resident visa. Visitor visas are frequently refused where the officer doubts the applicant will leave: ties to the home country weigh more than the invitation.
Marrying, and having it recognised
Canada issues no certificate of no impediment; a statutory declaration sworn before a consular officer is the usual substitute, and is not always accepted abroad. A marriage validly celebrated abroad is recognised without transcription. See civil marriage in Canada.
Getting there
Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver have wide international connections. Winter is long and genuinely cold — a first visit in January needs preparing, clothing included.
Customs and family
The broom dance for unmarried siblings is widespread, and in Quebec spouses keep their own names. See wedding customs in Canada.
Points to watch
Sponsorship is a contract
A spousal undertaking runs for years and obliges you to provide for basic needs throughout — even if the relationship ends. In Quebec it sits on top of the federal application, and the delays add up.
- Document the relationship: dated photographs, tickets, call histories, proof of visits.
- Interviews at the visa office play the role of the European marriage interview.
Two absolute prohibitions, wherever you live
Sex tourism and any relationship with a minor are punished here as everywhere, and your own country's law follows you abroad. For sexual offences against a child, almost every state sets aside dual criminality and dispenses with any complaint: you can be prosecuted and tried at home whatever the local law says and whatever the local authorities do. See sexual offences committed abroad.
If you met online
The warning signs are the same everywhere: a very fast escalation, a systematic refusal of video, a request for money for an urgent reason, pressure to leave the platform. The rule holds here as anywhere: you do not send money to someone you have never met face to face. Someone genuine will happily take a video call, meet in a public place and introduce you to their family.
Spotting and reporting a romance scam — Canada
Canada: everything on this site
This country appears on 35 other pages of this site, across every section. Here they all are, in one place.
Sexuality
Health
- Assisted reproduction
- Abortion
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Contraception
- HIV and AIDS
- HPV
- Hepatitis B
- Mental health
- Pregnancy
Advice
Marriage
- Same-sex marriage
- Divorce
- Marriage
- Matrimonial property and inheritance
- Partnerships and cohabitation
- Religious ceremony
- Wedding customs and ceremonies
Names
Rights
- Adoption
- Copyright
- Data protection
- Fundamental rights
- Identity theft
- Image rights
- Online shopping
- Privacy
- Sexual offences committed abroad
- Speech and online harassment
Official sources and links
- Your own foreign ministry's travel advice — read it before each departure: it also conditions your travel insurance. Official portals: United Kingdom · United States · Australia · New Zealand · Ireland
- Your consular post there, or the one covering the country — civil status, marriage, emergencies; note the number before you go. Official directories: United Kingdom · United States · Australia · New Zealand · Ireland
- World Health Organization — health recommendations by destination
- Hague Conference on Private International Law — celebration and recognition of the validity of marriages