Just married an american and want to move my children and I (canadians) need help on direction

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Like carla said, times in Canada are about the same for K-3 and CR-1; so it is better to wait for the immigrant visa. It is also cheaper.

Pretty much everyone has long waiting times, except the ones that live together abroad; like we did. Our wait was still about 7 months through Montreal, join the club.

[Carlawarla 1]

Hi becks! Welcome to VJ! As trailmix suggested, check out the Canada forum here! You might want to consider a CR-1 visa as they're being in about in the same time as K-3's in Canada anyway. Read the Guides above, and look over the different visa's, and see what might be best for all of you.

Coming down on a K-3 will necessitate you adjusting your status once in the US, so you'll want a CR-1 if you want to be working quicker. No guarantees on a government job either, especially a federal job where most fed jobs require US citizenship. A State job might have residency requirements as well. I don't know where you are, or what state you're going to be moving to as well.

There are lots of "little" things you will want to consider during this process, such as which Consulate you'll be interviewed at, photo sized passport pics and the difference between US and Canadian standards, moving, visiting while the process is on-going etc. All of these answers and more are on the Canada forum.

Check us out! Congratulations on your marriage. Whatever route you decide, I hope it's speedy!

It seems like staying in Canada and filing the I-130 etc takes quite a LONG time to process and get to the USA to be with one's spouse. It is better for us (my children and I) to stay here and start the paperwork with my hubbie down in the US OR pack up and go now to the USA and start with the EAD and the paperwork there?? I am reading up on everything but cannot help but notice that people have long timelines with their paperwork and waiting and waiting to get to the US. Am I misled?

You can't just pack up and move. You have to wait for a visa. You can't just move down and apply for EAD etc. That's illegal.

[carslo 0]

I concur with Carla, we are in the process of petitioning for a CR-1, we have waited so long I would never dare try to adjust my status while in the USA - due to the fact if the immigration people feel you knew you were going to get married before you came to the USA and planned on staying it can result in a ban of up to 10 years. I would rather wait a few month than risk being apart for 3 to 10 years.

Good luck with your journey!

Janet