More confusion

[Gigglesngrins 0]

So I'm more confused than ever.....

Now that some of our friends and family know we are moving forward with the visa process, they are all telling us stories of someone they know who married a non-US citizen then moved there. We have had a couple people say that they know someone who got married in Canada (or some other part of the world), then moved to the US and only had to deal with the AOS at that point. I thought that you had to apply for a K3 or IR1/CR1 if you married outside the US. If not, we were thinking by skipping the visa process first and only having to deal with the AOS, we could cut down on the time we are apart. Are they wrong...if we were to get married, do we need to apply for a visa after or can we go straight the the AOS?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Can it be done, sure! Sort of a grey area and brought up some nasty arguements on VJ! lol

I was told to do exactly what you stated by a USA immigration attorney. Is it legal, not really. if you KNOWINGLY come to the USA with intentions to stay, from my understanding it is illegal! But if you come down here with intentions just to visit, then return back to Canada ( or another country) BUT end up staying and AOS'ing its fine!! How does one prove that I have no clue. One at the interview would have to prove they had no intentions od staying. May it cause a problem? I couldn't tell ya.

If one were to attempt that, you wouldn't be able to bring your personal belongings (furniture, etc) with ya. Don't think one would be able to leave USA without advance parole, and not sure about if one would be able to work!! Just seems to be a hassle!!

Rather do things the "proper" way, lot less of worrying if things are going to work out. Best of luck

[SENKA 0]

My coworker's sister just went down to San Fran. and got married. It took her 2,5 years and a LOT OF HASSLE to be able to work. She said that she wouldn't do it that way again if she could go back in time.

My fiance and I decided to do everything properly and the lawyer said K-1 is the best way to go. We just got his initial advice for $50.00 and then filed and did everything else ourselves.

Good luck

[Cristy 4]

Caseys friend told him how wrong we were doing it this way. We should have gotten married, I should have moved there and started working right away. I don't need an EAD and I can get a SSN right away. Ok then.

Totally wrong info. So many poeple think they know it all.

[evilcanuck 0]

never listen to 3rd hand experences. Most of the time people dont know the full detaails, hell I dont even tell people the full details of my process, so if they were relaying the story they wouldnt have half the facts right. I still have people insist I am an automatic USC because I married one, they know, thier firends brothers cuzin did it and they dont have to pay taxes either! LOL

Bear with the k-1, it wnt take as long as it seems really, you will be married and living here b4 you know it

[Reba 2]

I think we've all had well meaning friends and relatives tell us about their friend's uncle's daughter who....

The thing is, that most of these stories are 10 or more years out of date, and things have changed since Gerard Depardieu made the movie Green Card. Thank them for their time and their concern, and then remind them of that. Then go on ahead and do things the proper way.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I would bet there are a lot of people that do that sort of thing!! Of course would never hear about it on VJ. That immigration lawyer that told us to do it that way said many do that. Hard to believe her though.