Marriage based immigration- how do I get started?

[chibihorsewoman 0]

My not quite fiance (no ring, no date set until after he graduates from college- but we've both informally proposed to one another on numorous occasions) is a Canadian citizen and I'm an American. I'm curious as to how long I should wait to get the forms. He graduates in 2011 and has been told by a friend of his mother's whose relationship in the states didn't work out that we'd have to be married in six months. But neither of us have any idea where to start or how early to start.

Should I go get my paperwork started now even though he won't be moving here for another year? Or should I wait until the beginning of 2010? Questions questions.

[Mrs. Disney 0]

My not quite fiance (no ring, no date set until after he graduates from college- but we've both informally proposed to one another on numorous occasions) is a Canadian citizen and I'm an American. I'm curious as to how long I should wait to get the forms. He graduates in 2011 and has been told by a friend of his mother's whose relationship in the states didn't work out that we'd have to be married in six months. But neither of us have any idea where to start or how early to start.

Should I go get my paperwork started now even though he won't be moving here for another year? Or should I wait until the beginning of 2010? Questions questions.

The whole process usually takes 6-7 months, so take that into account. Whenever both of you are ready to live together and go through the PAINFUL and LONG K-1 Fiance Visa Process, then that's when you should start (don't mean to lecture!). Good luck on your journey!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I think what your fiance's mother's friend was referring to was when you apply for a K-1 fiancee visa and arrive in the States you are required to get married within 90 days as part of the conditions of the visa. The K-1 visa (Fiancee) is one option to take a look at when you are ready. For this visa, the US partner starts the process by petitioning the government (form I-129f) for permission for the non-USA partner to apply for a fiancee visa. When the petition is approved, the file is transferred to the foreign partners country and they then receive information from the US Consulate in their country in charge of fiancee visas. (in Canada, this is either Vancouver or Montreal depending on where in the country your fiance lives). Your partner will gather necessary documents, have a medical, get police records, etc. and attend an interview. The visa is approved or denied based on the interview. That whole process from start to finish can take between 6/7 months to a year. You then have 6 months time in which to use the visa and once you use the visa 90 days in which to get married. One of the things you will also need to do is prove to the Government that you are financially able to support a spouse. It is probably a good idea to wait to file until you are about 8 or 9 months from when you want your fiance to move to the States. That way if the visa goes quickly, he will still have a few months leeway before he needs to use it, and if it goes slowly he won't have to wait too long before he receives it. You might want to take the time now to familiarize yourself with the process by reading the guides, taking a look at the different forms and getting an idea of what the two of you will need to complete the process. Good luck to you both.

Edited April 26, 2009 by Kathryn41

[iLoveAPolishGirl 0]

If you want to get married here in the USA using a K-1 visa in 1 year, start the process now.

It currently takes, on average, 6+ (some cases have taken much longer) months for a fiance visa to be issued and once the visa is issued you will have 6 months to use it. You must get married within 90 days of your fiance(e) arriving using the K-1 visa. See the Guides and Immigration Timelines for more info. This can be an expensive option, so be sure you understand the costs. You may want to research alternate options as well... see the Guides and other sections of this forum for more info.

Oh, and welcome fellow New Yorker :)

dvc

Edited April 26, 2009 by iLoveAPolishGirl

[bora bora 1]

My not quite fiance (no ring, no date set until after he graduates from college- but we've both informally proposed to one another on numorous occasions) is a Canadian citizen and I'm an American. I'm curious as to how long I should wait to get the forms. He graduates in 2011 and has been told by a friend of his mother's whose relationship in the states didn't work out that we'd have to be married in six months. But neither of us have any idea where to start or how early to start.

Should I go get my paperwork started now even though he won't be moving here for another year? Or should I wait until the beginning of 2010? Questions questions.

[chibihorsewoman 0]

First and foremost thanks to all of you for your help. My fiance lives in British Columbia (which makes this really difficult, if it were Ontario or even Quebec I could handle separation better.) so he would have to get in contact with someone in Vancouver.

I'm trying to read the guides but at the moment they're very confusing to me since I'm still new to this. So any information given is very appreciated.

The biggest setback I have at the moment is that we're looking into moving to Washington because he's planning on doing video game design. I work as a CNA so it's easy for me to relocate. Oh yeah and we don't know the exact graduation date in 2011.

Again thank you.