Entering USA on CR-1 Question.

[Abby62 23]

If my SO who is a US citizen and myself get married in Canada, then he goes back to the USA and files the 1-130 or CR-1, and I remain working in Canada...at what point do I enter the USA permanently with all of my belongings?

How long does that process take after we get married?

Thanks

[trailmix 77]

If you are really on the ball with returning your stuff to NVC - around 11 months or so.

[bowflex 0]

If you are really on the ball with returning your stuff to NVC - around 11 months or so.

Yep if everything goes smoothly and you're ready to submit stuff right away this is about the time frame, good luck!

[Abby62 23]

If you are really on the ball with returning your stuff to NVC - around 11 months or so.

WHAT???? Almost ONE year before we can live together?? OMG!!!!! So what about going back to the whole K-1 visa?? How long would it take before we can live together that way??

[Hugglebuggles 60]

With the K-1 you're looking at 7-10 months. Where in Canada do you live? If you live in the west coast you could interview through Vancouver, which is much faster than Montreal.

With the K-1 you get to live in the US quicker, absolutely, but with the K-1 nothing else is quicker, at all. So while the Cr-1 will separate you for longer, it will make you life a lot easier after you come to the US.

[Inky 1,111]

Everyone here is right, K-1 may be a little faster BUT... AOS and waiting around to work does take its strains and tolls on living/life. CR-1 you dont have to AOS and dont have to deal with waiting to work etc.

[SapphireDreams 71]

With the K-1 you're looking at 7-10 months. Where in Canada do you live? If you live in the west coast you could interview through Vancouver, which is much faster than Montreal.

With the K-1 you get to live in the US quicker, absolutely, but with the K-1 nothing else is quicker, at all. So while the Cr-1 will separate you for longer, it will make you life a lot easier after you come to the US.

I agree, the CR1 is a much better visa after you move. Once you get to the US, you will get your greencard right away and can start working right away.

With a K1, you have to adjust status (and pay another $1010) and then wait for work authorization for a couple of months. Plus, you have to get married in the US on a K1, so if you are set on getting married in Canada, you'll have to do the CR1.

And, the K1 is not necessarily faster. All said and done mine took almost 10 months. An extra month for a CR1 wouldn't have killed me.

[Spoom 8]

Plus, you have to get married in the US on a K1, so if you are set on getting married in Canada, you'll have to do the CR1.

Or do the K-3 (though the CR-1 is usually better anyway).

For us it was a moot point as we were getting married in the United States and had quite a bit of planning to do anyway, so the K-1 was a natural choice. We also wanted to be together as quickly as possible

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Plus, you have to get married in the US on a K1, so if you are set on getting married in Canada, you'll have to do the CR1.

Or do the K-3 (though the CR-1 is usually better anyway).

For us it was a moot point as we were getting married in the United States and had quite a bit of planning to do anyway, so the K-1 was a natural choice. We also wanted to be together as quickly as possible

Oh I agree, the K-1 was the best choice for us as well, mainly because we weren't fond of the idea of living apart as newly weds. Its all about your priorities. I'm just suggesting to the OP that she should look beyond the timelines when making the decision of what visa to apply for. The K-1 is faster in bringing you to the US, but it is not easier, and takes longer to get a green card.