Married my US hsuband lived in Canada now looking to go to the US

[CanadiaGirl 10]

I am Canadian and my husband is American. Before we got married IN April of 09 my husband got a temp work visa in Canada. He got laid off 3 weeks before our wedding and then after our honeymoon was considered a 'visitor'. Soon there after I lost my job and my husband had been exhausting all the job markets in Canada and there was no luck. We made the decision to have him go back to the US where he wouldn't have to deal with the Visa part and is now getting a job close to his parents home.

We were a few years ago thinking about living in the US but job opportunities both arose for us in Canada. I understood the K3 and K1 visas at the time and we were thinking if we had to we would have got the K1 applied for and have it hopefully back and then done the marriage (in the us) a few days prior to the wedding. But since we got a job in Canada we didn't have to worry about all that stuff so then got married in Canada.(and after the marriage we were applying for his permanent status in Canada) Luckily we didn't send that out as I just got laid off as the papers were all done.

So now were definitely going to be in the US but I'm unsure as to the route I go. I know the K1 isn't an option and frankly I don't want to have to wait 8 months in Canada while the K3 processes. At least that's my understanding that I can't cross the boarder while this is processing and it usually takes the better part of a year to go through. My co - sponsor would be his parents. I'm asking what peoples best advice would be for our situation also what to expect when going whichever way you suggest. Also should we have all this done through lawyers instead of doing it ourselves? Sorry for all the questions. We're just looking for the quickest way for me to get into the states. I could look for a job here and get sponsored via my work but I don't know if I'm really allowed to do that.

(I was in the US on a F-1 Visa for 4 years (from 2004 -2008) that's when I met my husband. If that makes any difference I thought I'd add that)

Your help and guidance is greatly appreciated.

Amanda

Edited September 15, 2009 by CanadiaGirl

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I'm not sure where you got the fact you can't visit while the visa is processing because many people visit their spouses while waiting for their visa. Your entrance is up to the CBP however.

yes, you're looking at about 8 months for this to go through. I'd file the I-130 for the CR-1 (not the K-3 - its slow, expensive, and obsolete in my opinion).

This is a DYI website, you can totally get this done on your own, plenty of knowledgeable people here.

Read the guides listed at the top of the page to help you get started.

Good luck.