just starting visa process

[thill67 0]

Hey all. My girlfriend, soon to be fiancee, and I are just beginning the Visa journey. She is Canadian, works in the home health care field, and will likely be getting laid off at the end of February 2008. She could potentially find another job in Canada after February, but it sure seems as though this would be a great time to have her move to the States. We have known each other for 3+ years, been dating for over a year, and I will ask for her hand in marriage (again, this time with a ring!) here very soon (meeting the folks in a few weeks! She still doesn't know exactly when!). She will be going to school here in the States (if all goes well) upon entry, as a LPN (nurse) or nurse's aide (initially). We are confused as to the best options for Visa application, K-1 fiance, K-3 marriage, or possibly even educational visa. We obviously want to be completely up front about the situation and how to best work through the Visa process. Any comments or suggestions as to the best course? In actuality, we are already engaged, I'm a bit old fashioned and will ask her again with a ring (money's been tight until recently). We are planning to get married, though no date set as of yet, in the early Spring to mid Summer of 2008. Any guidance would be most appreciated!

[Fandango 1,439]

Well keep in mind that the only options available to you are K-1, K-3, CR-1/IR-1. Obtaining any other visa for her entry would be fraudulent, as her intent is to immigrate and gain LPR status.

Work/school visas are all well and good, but they are temporary non-resident visas. If her intent is to stay in America...using one of these visas would actually constitue fraud because they are not visas which provide a path to LPR status. If you met her while she was here on a work/student visa and you two decided to get married...that would actually be ok because her intent upon entry to the US was not one of immigrating here.

I suggest you read the guides, the stickied topics in each forum and USCIS.gov to obtain all information relevant to making your decision....each visa has pluses and minuses, so it's best for you to arm yourself with all the information necc to make the most informed choice that works best for you both.

Good luck.

Edited September 23, 2007 by LisaD

[thill67 0]

Thanks for the information; that is exactly what we don't want to do! Do you have any suggestions as to where to start with the USCIS.gov site? We've both looked and are a bit confused as to the timing. We will be "officially" engaged in October, and are planning to marry approximately 6 months later (will be dependent upon getting her parents and other family down here). Thanks for your reply!

[raymaga 25]

thill67:

I worked in the home health care field in B.C. before I left Canada. Where does your fiance currently work? I worked for Fraser Health Authority in Surrey, B.C. I'm just curious if perhaps I may have known her.

[thill67 0]

thill67: Small world indeed...! She works for the group out of Victoria, Juan de Fuca. Two of the firms are shutting down due to the lack of increase in $$$ from VIHA. If I'm not mistaken, the one in Surrey is remaining solvent. It looks like they are in negotiation, the Union and VIHA; we'll see what happens...

I worked in the home health care field in B.C. before I left Canada. Where does your fiance currently work? I worked for Fraser Health Authority in Surrey, B.C. I'm just curious if perhaps I may have known her.

[Fandango 1,439]

Thanks for the information; that is exactly what we don't want to do! Do you have any suggestions as to where to start with the USCIS.gov site? We've both looked and are a bit confused as to the timing. We will be "officially" engaged in October, and are planning to marry approximately 6 months later (will be dependent upon getting her parents and other family down here). Thanks for your reply!

Start here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

USCIS

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

readreadREAD!

Oh, and throw your timeline expectations out the window. Because the visa will dictate when she's here...6 mos is not a lot of time at all, visa wise.

[thill67 0]

Geez, sorry, got excited! Her name's Sandi...

[Black Velvet 4]

Hey all. My girlfriend, soon to be fiancee, and I are just beginning the Visa journey. She is Canadian, works in the home health care field, and will likely be getting laid off at the end of February 2008. She could potentially find another job in Canada after February, but it sure seems as though this would be a great time to have her move to the States. We have known each other for 3+ years, been dating for over a year, and I will ask for her hand in marriage (again, this time with a ring!) here very soon (meeting the folks in a few weeks! She still doesn't know exactly when!). She will be going to school here in the States (if all goes well) upon entry, as a LPN (nurse) or nurse's aide (initially). We are confused as to the best options for Visa application, K-1 fiance, K-3 marriage, or possibly even educational visa. We obviously want to be completely up front about the situation and how to best work through the Visa process. Any comments or suggestions as to the best course? In actuality, we are already engaged, I'm a bit old fashioned and will ask her again with a ring (money's been tight until recently). We are planning to get married, though no date set as of yet, in the early Spring to mid Summer of 2008. Any guidance would be most appreciated!

My advice is to go the K-1 route. It is much faster than the CR-1 or K-3 process. I filed for my husband last November, and we are still awaiting an interview. At any rate, good luck!

[thill67 0]

Thanks a bunch; we have read the first link (alot!), the second one has more information we are unfamiliar with. Great stuff, thanks. I figured the timeline was a bit "happy"... If anyone knows, could she be denied entry into the US for visits during the Visa application process time? She has read where this could be the case.

Thanks for the information; that is exactly what we don't want to do! Do you have any suggestions as to where to start with the USCIS.gov site? We've both looked and are a bit confused as to the timing. We will be "officially" engaged in October, and are planning to marry approximately 6 months later (will be dependent upon getting her parents and other family down here). Thanks for your reply!

Start here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

USCIS

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

readreadREAD!

Oh, and throw your timeline expectations out the window. Because the visa will dictate when she's here...6 mos is not a lot of time at all, visa wise.

[Fandango 1,439]

My advice is to go the K-1 route. It is much faster than the CR-1 or K-3 process. I filed for my husband last November, and we are still awaiting an interview. At any rate, good luck!

But if it's more important to not deal with all the AOS bull, then it might suit the OP to go CR1 route. Or just say the OP's fiance would rather marry in her hometown in Canada, then k-1 is out of the window...

It's all a matter of personal pref

Edited September 23, 2007 by LisaD

[thill67 0]

Thanks! Hope you hear soon... and best of luck!

Hey all. My girlfriend, soon to be fiancee, and I are just beginning the Visa journey. She is Canadian, works in the home health care field, and will likely be getting laid off at the end of February 2008. She could potentially find another job in Canada after February, but it sure seems as though this would be a great time to have her move to the States. We have known each other for 3+ years, been dating for over a year, and I will ask for her hand in marriage (again, this time with a ring!) here very soon (meeting the folks in a few weeks! She still doesn't know exactly when!). She will be going to school here in the States (if all goes well) upon entry, as a LPN (nurse) or nurse's aide (initially). We are confused as to the best options for Visa application, K-1 fiance, K-3 marriage, or possibly even educational visa. We obviously want to be completely up front about the situation and how to best work through the Visa process. Any comments or suggestions as to the best course? In actuality, we are already engaged, I'm a bit old fashioned and will ask her again with a ring (money's been tight until recently). We are planning to get married, though no date set as of yet, in the early Spring to mid Summer of 2008. Any guidance would be most appreciated!

My advice is to go the K-1 route. It is much faster than the CR-1 or K-3 process. I filed for my husband last November, and we are still awaiting an interview. At any rate, good luck!

[BlueSurf 0]

Avoid the K-3. It is the most involved (and most intrusive of background checks).

[thill67 0]

Thanks! I hope ya'll get yours straightened out; best of luck...

Avoid the K-3. It is the most involved (and most intrusive of background checks).