We don't know what to do

[LandRStepp 0]

I am from Canada and my boyfriend is American. We want to be together like everyone else but we don't know how to go about it. He has a good job so we want to get married and live in the US. What I want to know is what visa to choose. In order for me to go there soon I was thinking of applying for a visitor's visa and spending time with him and then getting married and then we would apply for a CR-1. What we want is for me to be able to stay in the US and not have to return to Canada. There is a reason for that not just because we want to be together but also things are very bad here for my youngest son and I because of my ex and others that have teamed up to ruin my life. For my son's safety and mine I need to leave/disappear. My boyfriend is worried about us and we need a fresh start. I also thought of the k1 but I have to stay here until its approved I think. Anyway I have researched and researched until now I am so confused I'm turning to anyone of you that can help and give us some advice. I hope someone can help.

[mrsemcee 1]

hmm this is a hard one.

i too would have loved to do that, just disappear, but couldnt.

i went to the US on my own (no kids) and i was on a visitor visa and i told LAX customs i was "visiting friends and tourist stuff" and i got through, and then i married my USC boyfriend, and i could have applied to stay i am guessing, but i didnt want to do the wrong thing or risk getting kicked out of the US so i came back to Australia, and now i am filing a CR-1 as his wife to go over. it will take months, but i didnt want to risk staying in the US.

i think on a visitor visa, or the visa waiver, like what i had, you COULD do it, i mean, go into the country and stay after marrying, but with a young child also? i am not sure.

you need to get advice, and i hope someone here can give you it. i feel for you, i know what it is like being in a situation like you are. i just worry if you come over as a "visitor" with your child that the customs people might know and you will get into trouble. a girlfriend of mine did it, and she was already married to a USC, and the only reason customs let her in was because she was in an interview room at LAX for 3 hours and her son had an epileptic fit!!!

[Anh map 2,098]

I am sure that your research has shown you that entering the US as a visitor with the intention of immigrating is illegal. Your research also showed you that it is frequently successful.

Given that readily available information you and your boyfriend have to decide what you will attempt to do.

Reading in the Cananda regional forum should help you make the decision.

[sjr09 155]

I am from Canada and my boyfriend is American. We want to be together like everyone else but we don't know how to go about it. He has a good job so we want to get married and live in the US. What I want to know is what visa to choose. In order for me to go there soon I was thinking of applying for a visitor's visa and spending time with him and then getting married and then we would apply for a CR-1. What we want is for me to be able to stay in the US and not have to return to Canada. There is a reason for that not just because we want to be together but also things are very bad here for my youngest son and I because of my ex and others that have teamed up to ruin my life. For my son's safety and mine I need to leave/disappear. My boyfriend is worried about us and we need a fresh start. I also thought of the k1 but I have to stay here until its approved I think. Anyway I have researched and researched until now I am so confused I'm turning to anyone of you that can help and give us some advice. I hope someone can help.

You need to read the VJ Guides http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides If your going to get married apply for the CR1 Please take note entering the US on a visitor visa with the intent to stay "can" have great ramifications

Edited July 2, 2009 by sjr09

[trailmix 77]

Hi and welcome to VJ,

Canadians do not need a visitor's visa to go to the U.S. to visit. You may spend up to 6 months at a time in the U.S. visiting.

That said, in a nutshell the K1 is a fiance(e) visa, the CR1 visa is for a spouse, so a lot will depend on whether or not you plan on getting married right away. Either visa will require you to spend some time in Canada as they both take several months, generally under a year and you cannot just live in the U.S. the entire time they are being processed. You will need to return to Canada for the interview if you are in the States at that time.

You really should have a look at the guides, as someone mentioned.

You may also want to drop by the Canada regional forum: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

[LandRStepp 0]

Thank you very much for responding to my post all of you. My boyfriend and I have been very confused by the research we have done because there seems like there are so many contradictions. So I will look at the guides and I definately don't want to do anything illegal. I am desparate to leave here there is no doubt but when I leave I don't want to have to come back so the priority is to do everything the right way but as soon as possible. Unfortunately I'm sure the government doesn't speed things up for someone who is having problems in their life no matter how desparate. I will keep reading and researching and seeking advice here until we have something worked out. I thought things had changed since the new enforcements have been put in place at the borders about us Canadians crossing so I thought we needed a visitors visa. I am still very confused and hopefully we will get some more answers here. Thanks again to all of you!