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Vietnamese Marriage and Sponsoring a Vietnamese Spouse

VietNam Marriage
Marriage in VietNam: Can Be Overwhelming
Marriage in VietNam: The Bureaucratic Process

Quicklink to Sponsorship Application:

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Click on the following links to jump to a section:

Vietnam Marriage and Sponsorship: A Difficult Process
Help Available for Canadians Wanting a Vietnamese Marriage
Marriage in Vietnam
  -Basic Document Checklist for Marriage to a Vietnamese
  -Document Processing Fees
Vietnamese Sponsorship
What you will need to qualify as a Sponsor
Who can sponsor?
Canadian Sponsorship Application
  -Processing Timelines
  -Basic Document Checklist Chart
Fees
FAQ`s
Useful Links


Vietnamese Marriage Sponsorship: A Difficult Process

In most cases, if not all, the couple will end up living in Canada. The process for a Vietnamese marriage is, unfortunately, a tough and lengthy one. The Vietnamese government imposes strict requirements on foreigners if they wish to marry a Vietnamese citizen. Furthermore, getting a hold of the Vietnamese authorities in Canada is very difficult and if you do get a hold of the authorities, it can be quite confusing to understand all the rules and fees. For any Canadian marrying a Vietnamese citizen and wishing for their spouse to immigrate to Canada, the process does not end there.

Getting a citizen of Vietnam the right to travel to Canada is easier said than done. This is why, for any Canadian wishing to bring their partner or spouse to Canada, it is recommended that they sponsor them for permanent residence if they want their spouse to live with them in Canada. A sponsorship process requires many documents to be submitted and this can be lengthy. Anyone trying to do these processes by themselves could be overwhelmed or simply get frustrated and give up.


Help Available for Canadians Wanting a Vietnamese Marriage

Is there any help? Yes, there is. Immigroup Inc. offers Canadians (and Americans) who have met their true love in Vietnam help with this entire process. We will help you gather all the documents that are needed, review the application process, and file the application for you.

In 5 years of operation, Immigroup has not had a
single application refusal to date.

Marriage in Vietnam

For a marriage in Vietnam you must first collect the following documents and have them authenticated, notarized, translated, and legalized.

1. A marriage search
2. A Single Status Declaration
3. Statement in lieu of non-impediment
4. If you are divorced, a certificate of divorce or a divorce judgement
5. If you are widowed, you must provide your spouse’s death certificate
6. A medical report issued by an authorized medical organization.
7. A long form birth certificate
8. Documents that show your status in Canada
9. If you have had a change of name, a certified document showing the change.

You must then present all these documents in Vietnam. It is advisable that you contact your partner to find where you must present these documents. If you cannot be in Vietnam to present these documents there are other forms you must fill out.

What You Will Need to Qualify as a Sponsor

More information is provided when you click on this icon:

To qualify as a sponsor, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You intend to marry a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam and you intend to live in Canada with him/her

   You can also get married in Canada if the person you are planning to marry can get to Canada. Getting to Canada for people who do not need a visitor visa is easy. But if you come from a country where a visitor visa to Canada is required, you chances of being successful are low. When you file a visitor visa application at a Canadian embassy abroad, most officers lean towards refusing your application the minute they find out that you are planning to marry a Canadian or a permanent resident of Canada. However, you must be truthful in the purpose of your visit.

   Important notes:

   1. Applying for a visitor visa will not affect any other application later on.
   2. If you have been granted a visitor visa in the past you will have a higher chance of getting the new one.
   3. If you have been denied a visitor visa in the past your chances of obtaining a visa will be reduced.
   4. If you have never applied for a visitor visa application before and it is important for both of you to be in Canada, we suggest that you get a professional firm to assist you. Even if our experienced staff helps you, we cannot guarantee the issuance of a visa. (We charge $350-$500 + applicable government fees). On average this will take 2-6 weeks for your application to be processed by the visa office.

   Here is a list of all nationals who do not need a visitor visa to Canada:
   citizens of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of ), Latvia (Republic of), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, and Western Samoa.

2. OR You intend to sponsor a common-law partner, who is a person who has lived with you for at least one year

   This application is filed only if you can prove that you and your common-law partner have lived together for at least one year and you are continuing to live together. Such proof could be in the form of mortgages taken out under both your names, co-signatures on any leases, joint bank accounts etc.

3. You are single and free to marry
4. You are over 18 years of age and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, living in Canada
5. You are not on any social assistance program
6. You are not in default of any previous sponsorship
7. You are not bankrupt
8. You are not in prison
   
   

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident is able to sponsor his/her spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children to come to Canada as permanent residents. Applicants for permanent residence must go through medical and background screening. Applicants with a criminal record may not be allowed to enter Canada. Applicants who may pose a risk to Canada’s security are also not allowed to enter Canada. Lastly, applicants may be denied due to medical inadmissibility

Processing Timelines:
Depending on the completeness of your submitted application and its accuracy, processing may take anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

  Download Full Version Here

Photo of properly completed Sponsorship application

     

Average time to complete application by Immigroup: 2-4 weeks

Fees Fees are paid in installments; last payment is due before the Sponsorship Application is submitted to CIC. If you need more time to make payments, please speak with our accounting department.
Immigroup is prepared to give up to a $500 discount in service fees for lower-income individuals. Please be prepared to submit a copy of your most recent `Notice of Tax Assessment` from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Immigroup representation	CDN $3500 + 5% GST
Government:
Sponsorship and permanent residence application fee	CDN $550
Right of permanent residence fee	CDN $490
TOTAL	CDN $ 4715 *

What you can expect from us:
We guarantee that your application will be accurate and complete, and in accordance with Canadian immigration law.

What is expected of you:
Please provide accurate and correct information and we will do the rest.

FAQ

Can we get married in Canada?
You are able to get married in Canada however your loved one must be able to come to Canada legally in order for the marriage to Cuban citizen to happen in Canada. Canada offers many temporary resident visas. Some are study, work, or visit visas. As long as the person is approved for stay, you may marry in Canada.

Can I file the Canadian Sponsorship Application here in Canada?
In order for you to submit your application from within Canada, both you and your spouse must be present in Canada. Please note that if you apply from within Canada, you may not appeal any negative decisions made on your case by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

What happens if the Sponsorship application is denied? 
If you applied from outside of Canada, you may appeal the decision. If the appeal is accepted, CIC will process your file again. You may also reapply if you have new information that will strengthen your case or you have overcome the reasons of why your application was refused the first time. If you applied from within Canada, the decision is final. You may not dispute this decision and your spouse must leave Canada as soon as his or her temporary visa expires.

I am not working right now; can I still sponsor my loved one?
In order for you to sponsor your spouse, you must be able to support them financially. As long as you can prove you are financially stable, you will be allowed to sponsor your spouse even if you are not working. If you have previously sponsored someone to come to Canada and they have turned to the government for financial assistance, you might be prevented from sponsoring another person until you have paid the government the full amount of any financial aid provided to that person.

They have a few children, can they come to Canada as well?
Yes. The children, who must be under 22 years of age and be dependent on the person being sponsored, are added as dependents on the permanent residency application of the person being sponsored. The children must be “dependent” as defined in the Immigration and Refugee protection Act of Canada.

The person I am marrying has a few children but the children don’t what to come to Canada right away, can they come on a later date?
As long as they are added as dependents in the sponsored person’s application, medically examined, and if they are over 18, they pass the background check, they can be sponsored at a later date. This only applies if they meet the definition of a “dependent child” according to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The person I am getting married to in Cuba has a few children from a previous marriage. The other biological parent of the children does not want to give authorization for the children to come to Canada. What will happen?
In this case, it is a matter of who has custody over the children. If you do not have custody and the other biological parent refuses to allow the children to join you in Canada, you may proceed without the children.

What are my responsibilities to the Canadian government with regard to the person I am sponsoring from Cuba?
You must provide financial support for your spouse for three years from the day they become a permanent resident. This means that from the day they become landed permanent residents in Canada, you are responsible for him or her financially. Also, if your spouse has dependents, you must provide financial support for every dependent child for 10 years, or until the child turns 25.

What is a permanent resident of Canada?
A permanent resident of Canada is a person who lives in Canada for at least two out of every five years. Permanent residents have the right to receive social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care insurance. Permanent residents are free to live, work or study anywhere in Canada. They may apply for Canadian citizenship once they have met the requirements. Permanent residents must pay taxes, and obey all Canadian laws. Permanent residents cannot vote in Government elections or run for office.

What is a Canadian citizen?
A Canadian citizen is a person who was either born in Canada or has been granted Canadian citizenship. In order to apply for citizenship in Canada, a permanent resident must live in Canada for three out of four years and be able to communicate proficiently in either English or French. A Canadian citizen has the right to vote in elections and to run for office. He or she may also work in high levels of government.

When can my loved one become a Canadian citizen? 
Your loved one must have lived in Canada for three out of four years in order to qualify for Canadian citizenship. Once the residency requirement is complete, he or she may apply for the right of citizenship. Once his/her application is approved, he/she will be called for a citizenship test. They will not need to write the test if they are over the age of 55. This is a test of his/her English/French abilities and knowledge of Canada. Upon passing the citizenship test, the person will be invited to attend an oath of citizenship ceremony in which he or she will be given their citizenship certificate.

Do we have to live in Canada?
Yes, there are residency requirements and these are such that the sponsored person must be present in Canada for 2 out of every 5 years. If the sponsored spouse leaves Canada for a period longer than 3 years, they will lose their permanent resident status unless they are accompanied by a Canadian citizen spouse, hired by a Canadian company or Canadian government abroad. 

If we want to visit the United States will a Landed immigrant in Canada who has a Cuban Passport need a visa to the US ?
Yes. Cuba is not under any visa waiver program with the United States and therefore persons holding a Cuban passport must apply for a US visa before traveling. This visa can be obtained by applying for a US visa appointment with the US embassy closest to you.

What is a civil registry?
The civil registry is a government agency that holds records of all births, marriages and deaths that took place within the country. Each country has a different system of collecting this information. In Canada, each province has its own civil registry and is only responsible for recording births, marriages, and deaths that took place within that province.

For more information about marriage to Filipino citizens,
please call Immigroup at 1-866-760-2623.


USEFUL LINKS

Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
470 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 6M8, Canada.
City: Ottawa
Phone: +1 613 236 1398.
Fax: + 1 613 236 0819.
Email: vietem@istar.ca
MAP:

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Australia
6 Timbarra Crescent,
O'Malley
ACT 2606
Australia
City: Canberra
Phone: +61-2-62866059 or 62901549
Fax: +61-2-62864534 or 62902908
Web Site: http://www.vietnamconsulate.org.au
Email: vembassy@webone.com.au
Office Hours: 9:00 -12:30 13:30-16:00 Monday to Friday
MAP:

Embassy of Vietnam in Paris, France
62-66, Rue Boileau
75016 Paris
France
City: Paris
Phone: +33-1-4414 6400 / +33-1-4414 6421
Fax: +33-1-4524 3948
Email: vnparis@wanadoo.fr / vnparis@club-internet.fr
MAP:

Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Elsenstr. 3
12435 Berlin
Germany
City: Berlin
Phone: (+49-30) 53630108, (+49-30) 53630101/2/4 consulate
Fax: (+49-30) 53630100
Web Site: http://www.vietnambotschaft.org
Email: info@vietnambotschaft.org,
MAP:

Embassy of Vietnam in Rome, Italy
Via di Bravetta, 156
00164 Roma - ITALIA
City: Rome
Phone: (+39) 06.66160726 - (+39) 06.66166157
Fax: (+39) 06.66157520
Email: vietnam@vnembassy.it
MAP:

Vietnamese Embassy in Madrid, Spain
C/ Arturo Soria 201 1-AyB
City: Madrid
Phone: +34-91-510 2867
Fax: +34-91-415 7067
Email: claudiomes@yahoo.com
MAP:

Embassy of Vietnam in London, United Kingdom
12 - 14 Victoria Road
W8 5RD
United Kingdom
City: London
Phone: 020 7937 1912
Fax: 020 7937 6108 or 004420- 7565 3853
Email: embassy@vietnamembassy.org.uk
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, except public holidays Consular section: 9.30 AM - 12.30 PM
(Visas, passports, legalisation), Chancery: 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM
MAP:

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in United States of America
1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
City: Washington DC
Phone: (202) 861 0737
Fax: (202) 861 0917
Web Site: http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/
Email: info@vietnamembassy.us
MAP:

Embassy of Vietnam in Ottawa, Canada
470 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 6M8, Canada.
City: Ottawa
Phone: +1 613 236 1398.
Fax: + 1 613 236 0819.
Email: vietem@istar.ca
MAP:

Complete Vietnamese Embassy and Consulate Directory Worldwide

Complete Vietnamese Embassy List