New to VJ: Introduction and Story

[Todd&Dani 0]

Hi everyone,

I am new here, first post. This looks to be a great supportive community for what seems to be a fairly involved and possibly lengthy process.

I have recently found my soul-mate. She is from Sarasota, Florida and I am from Toronto, Ontario. We first met online through a common interest (swimming/fitness) this past Spring '08 and finally met face-to-face for the first time last month, Dec. '08 at an open water swimming race. It was pure bliss.... (We both won our respective classes!)

I have finally met and fallen in love with someone that shares the same life goals, pursuits and passions as I, we "click" on every level. Now it looks like to have a life together this may be a challenging set of obstacles; US Immigration. I'd like to relocate to the US and live with her in Florida. We are both new to this, and don't even know where to start at this point to be honest. Reading over everything it is all overwhelming right now.

I'd like to ask what are the first steps we should be taking? I believe the K1 Fiance Visa is the best route we should take. (?) I would greatly appreciate any tips and advice from those more experienced.

Thank You and Best Regards to all for a Healthy, Happy, and Wealthy 2009,

Todd and Dani

[Rings 10]

Welcome to Visa Journey! I remember how overwhelmed we were when we first started our immigration process. It is definately a lot to take in when you first start to look at the process. My advice is to just take one step at a time and make sure you do all your paperwork correctly and KEEP COPIES of everything.

So you are doing the K1 visa? You getting married in the US? There are a lot of helpful links in the guides section at the top that you will find are so helpful. If there is anything we can do to help your process go smoother we will. Most of the people on this forum are a great support.

~ Rings

[raymaga 25]

From one Canadian to another.... welcome to VJ!!!

We look forward to seeing your posts as you move through this very time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process.

It does seem very overwhelming at first, but luckily, there are stages and there are lots of breaks in between these stages, so it gives you some time to research what's next. You can see my timeline for the stages of a K-1 visa.

The "Guides" and "Visa FAQ" sections here on VJ are very helpful for a newcomer.

Best wishes.

[boo boo 1]

Seems like you have received some outstandinging advice. Welcome to VJ and I hope that your journey is a smooth one

[Shannon ♥ Nick 0]

Welcome to the site, I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

[Zee Bee 61]

Welcome to VJ and good luck on your journey

[JeanneVictoria 55]

Welcome!! Best of luck on your journey!!

[Todd&Dani 0]

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice. I have spent some time reading the Guides and FAQ and am sorting the basics of this out. It is a lot more paperwork, documents, and steps than we originally thought, but it looks at this point as if we have no serious obstacles or anything out of the ordinary to cause any serious delays or problems.

Yes, I believe we would use a K1 Visa and would be getting married in the US.

We are getting together for 9 days in FL at the end of this month and she is coming up here to Ontario for a week in February. I gather until we are engaged and start the K1 documentation process we can go back and forth and visit each other as often as we like without any issues? We would like to be able to see each other hopefully at least once a month during this process - and from what I am understanding is that once you have started the K1 application process traveling back and forth gets tricky once you start explaining to border officials that you are going to see your girlfriend/fiancee?

Thanks again for the replies and comments. It is nice to know we are not alone in our journey. Hope to be able to help future newcomers out oursleves down the road.

Todd & Dani

[KC♥MP 0]

Welcome to VJ and Good luck on your journey!!!

Edited January 4, 2009 by KC♥MP

[saskswan 1]

Welcome to VJ! K1 is definetly the way to go. We went the K3 route and it took forever!

[Jasman0717 9]

Welcome to VJ Read the guides here on VJ, they are very helpful

[kiwiana 2]

welcome to vj!

[Todd&Dani 0]

Thanks for the support everyone.

I just got back from 10 days in FL with Dani and we had a great time. She is coming up here on the 13th for a week, we are celebrating Valentine's Day in Toronto. We are putting together the K1 application package and wil be sending it off shortly after her visit up here. (We already have a few questions brewing...!) I will keep you all posted!!

Regards to all,

Todd and Dani

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi Todd and Dani. I have just noticed your thread. Welcome to VJ. You should definitely head on over to the Canada Forum to meet up with your fellow Canadians.

[spikeyflip 0]

Welcome to VJ