Marrying a Canadian

[CaroSL 68]

"and some proof that she has a life in Canada". What would that entail? What documents needed? And what's the office called in Montreal?

Proof that she has a job, an appartment, etc., bank statements can be usefull as well.

I think you should read this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/

Office in montreal would probably be a consulate.

[David13 0]

Proof that she has a job, an appartment, etc., bank statements can be usefull as well.

I think you should read this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/

Office in montreal would probably be a consulate.

Alright, now what's the advantage and disadvantages of a K1?

[CaroSL 68]

Alright, now what's the advantage and disadvantages of a K1?

It is very personal. We decided to go for K-1 when I was in the US. We could just have got married and go with CR-1 at the time. But I didn't want to call my parents and friends and tell them: hey, we are getting married in a courthouse tomorrow, so we can file the I-130.

Of course I could have not told them, and get our ceremony later, but I didn't want to lie to my parents, and they wouldn't have understood... I didn't want to tell people we were engaged when really, we were married. And we needed to spend some time just being engaged ourselves.

Now I think maybe we should have gone the CR1 way... But we didn't...

[Rob & Monika 87]

How far apart are you guys? If she is close, she can visit often.

If she is west coast, a K-1 visa will go through Vancouver, and is usually 1-2 months faster than going through Montreal, but the K-1 process costs more, and she won't be able to work or leave the US for about 4-6 months after getting married. If she is east coast, then getting married first will probably be the better option.

[David13 0]

To answer the first part - you can get married anywhere in the USA or Canada. What she cannot do is plan to go down to the USA, get married and STAY. A person can visit the USA for up to 180 days a year. But they may not be allowed that much time at the border. The customs and border patrol have the right to deny anyone who is not a US citizen, so it's a good idea to make trips shorter and to bring proof of ties to your home country (in this case, Canada.)

I do not live in the USA, yet.

There are two places in Canada in which visas are issued. One is in Vancouver and only non-immigrant visas are issued there. The other is Montreal and both immigrant and non-immigrant visas are issued there.

Because I'm trying to immigrate to the USA, I have to fly to Montreal from either Calgary or Edmonton, to have my interview.

Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare Ignore the K3 visa - it's obsolete and very rarely issued.

Also ignore the visiting issue with the CR1 visa. This is not generally an issue with a Canadian spouse.

It is very personal. We decided to go for K-1 when I was in the US. We could just have got married and go with CR-1 at the time. But I didn't want to call my parents and friends and tell them: hey, we are getting married in a courthouse tomorrow, so we can file the I-130.

Of course I could have not told them, and get our ceremony later, but I didn't want to lie to my parents, and they wouldn't have understood... I didn't want to tell people we were engaged when really, we were married. And we needed to spend some time just being engaged ourselves.

Now I think maybe we should have gone the CR1 way... But we didn't...

Sorry to hear that. It's just that the whole Montreal thing is a bit much for my fiance. She's in Alberta also.

[His karma 20]

Sorry to hear that. It's just that the whole Montreal thing is a bit much for my fiance. She's in Alberta also.

Hi David,

I am also in Alberta and we decided to go with the K1. My Fiance and I don't want to be separated once we are married so chose to stick out the engagement while we wait for the K1 He has a god job so me not working right away isn't a huge issue. He is also in Texas. Feel free to send me a message adn I can pass on any other info I have found.

Cheers

[NikLR 13,227]

Yep there are definite advantages to the K1. I have a child who is not immigrating, and not working bores me to death... I'm very unhappy and not easy to live with after a month. So being able to travel and work were my deciding factors (hubs can support me no problems.). But that's why I linked you the comparison guide. You two need to decide what is important to YOU. . Best of luck!