K-1 visa....Do you have to stay in Canada?

[Rezandy 0]

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen from BC and my fiance is an American citizen from Iowa. We are thinking about filing a K-1 visa over this coming holiday, but first I had a couple questions.....

Once we've filed the k-1 visa will I as a Canadian be able to leave the country? I won't be traveling through the US at all, but I was thinking about heading over to the Bahamas, anyone know if I am allowed to do this?

After my fiance files the k-1 visa is there anything that I as the Canadian need to do immediately after up in Canada? I understand that I will eventually need to go to an interview, just curious if there is anything else that I need to do right after it has been filed?

I've also heard that in some cases the k-1 visa can go through and be accepted in 60 days, has anyone ever heard of if going through this fast?

Thank you, I look forward to reading what you have to say

[trailmix 77]

Hi,

Filing for the K1 visa in no way restricts your travel to other countries - i'm not sure why you would think that?

Not much for you to do except get any documents you may need, like your long form birth certificate.

Do you mean accepted as in ready for an interview - or waiting for the interview in Vancouver? Not sure what timeline you are actually speaking of?

[Rezandy 0]

Hi,

Filing for the K1 visa in no way restricts your travel to other countries - i'm not sure why you would think that?

Not much for you to do except get any documents you may need, like your long form birth certificate.

Do you mean accepted as in ready for an interview - or waiting for the interview in Vancouver? Not sure what timeline you are actually speaking of?

yeah I guess I mean accepted as in ready for an interview.....I've heard that Vancouver is actually a fairly quick place, when it comes to getting an interview.

[ashenflowers 5]

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen from BC and my fiance is an American citizen from Iowa. We are thinking about filing a K-1 visa over this coming holiday, but first I had a couple questions.....

Once we've filed the k-1 visa will I as a Canadian be able to leave the country? I won't be traveling through the US at all, but I was thinking about heading over to the Bahamas, anyone know if I am allowed to do this?

After my fiance files the k-1 visa is there anything that I as the Canadian need to do immediately after up in Canada? I understand that I will eventually need to go to an interview, just curious if there is anything else that I need to do right after it has been filed?

I've also heard that in some cases the k-1 visa can go through and be accepted in 60 days, has anyone ever heard of if going through this fast?

Thank you, I look forward to reading what you have to say

From start to finish? Absolutely not. I don't even know where you would've 'heard' that. Not even expedited ones (which are expedited for VERY good reason usually, which you have to prove) are rarely that fast. Get ready to settle in for a few months.

Please, please read the guides. I don't know where you would've had the impression that you can't leave Canada.

Have you heard of the Packet 3 yet?? And all of the other documents you will need to obtain such as the long form birth certificate, and police certificate... and the medical?.... anyone?? Bueller?

Edited December 13, 2009 by ashenflowers

[Rezandy 0]

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen from BC and my fiance is an American citizen from Iowa. We are thinking about filing a K-1 visa over this coming holiday, but first I had a couple questions.....

Once we've filed the k-1 visa will I as a Canadian be able to leave the country? I won't be traveling through the US at all, but I was thinking about heading over to the Bahamas, anyone know if I am allowed to do this?

After my fiance files the k-1 visa is there anything that I as the Canadian need to do immediately after up in Canada? I understand that I will eventually need to go to an interview, just curious if there is anything else that I need to do right after it has been filed?

I've also heard that in some cases the k-1 visa can go through and be accepted in 60 days, has anyone ever heard of if going through this fast?

Thank you, I look forward to reading what you have to say

From start to finish? Absolutely not. I don't even know where you would've 'heard' that. Not even expedited ones (which are expedited for VERY good reason usually, which you have to prove) are rarely that fast. Get ready to settle in for a few months.

Please, please read the guides. I don't know where you would've had the impression that you can't leave Canada.

Have you heard of the Packet 3 yet?? And all of the other documents you will need to obtain such as the long form birth certificate, and police certificate... and the medical?.... anyone?? Bueller?

I heard that it possibly could be processed that quickly from a immigration lawyer, but I guess she's wrong.

I haven't heard of packet 3 yet, I'm still new to all of this, I have no idea what our first steps should be, we are hopefully going to be applying for the K-1 visa over this coming holiday.

I'm going to spend some time this evening reading the guides....

Edited December 14, 2009 by ConfusedCanadian9

[Arabella 4]

I just want to add that it's perfectly legal to come to the US (in addition to other countries) while you are waiting for the K1. Sean came to see me every 6-8 weeks, and he is coming for a month in 2 days! It's really up to the border and you'll have to bring proof of your ties to Canada. Sean brought bank statements, class schedules, NOAs etc., every time he cross(but no one ever asked for anything).

[Arabella 4]

I heard that it possibly could be processed that quickly from a immigration lawyer, but I guess she's wrong.

In general, Immigration Attorneys add time to your K1. Why? Because you essentially are adding a middle-man to the process. If your information comes to your lawyer's desk at 5pm on a Friday, do you really think he/she will complete it and sent it back on Saturday? No. Would you? Of course!

In most cases, a lawyer is not needed. Even if you've been divorced, have kids, etc. you can do it yourself.

If you really, really want to hire a lawyer, go for it. But I never would.

When we were standing in line in Montreal at the Consulate waiting for our interview, another couple told me they had waited over a year for the interview from the date they filed (Oct. '08- Nov. '09). They were surprised ours was done in 8 months. I asked them if they hired a lawyer, they said yes (big surprise!). How much do you want to bet that extra 5 months was time that their paperwork sat in the lawyer's in-box?

Edited December 14, 2009 by Arabella

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I think what the lawyer meant is the actual I-128F petition you file with USCIS. In some circumstances, although it is not very common, your I-129F can be adjudicated in 60 days. There have been some people who have had it happen even sooner, and some who have waited over a year to get an approval, so it is in no way a guarantee or even a likely scenario. Depending on what service center you will be filling with, you can check recent timelines on how long it will likely take for an approval. After your petition is approved it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) which normally only takes a few days to process your case, but can take months for some unlucky people. This is a rare hold up but something to be aware of. After the NVC is done with your petition they send it to the foreign consulate, which is Vancouver in this case, where they will then send you a Packet 3, where you will be asked to compile some documents and fill out some forms. You will send some back to the consulate and keep others for the interview. After you send back the required paperwork Vancouver will log your case and put you in line for an interview. Fortunately for you, Vancouver has a fairly fast turnaround so you will not be waiting very long at all. If you're lucky this can all be completed within 7 months, definitely not 60 days.

Edited December 14, 2009 by Hugglebuggles

[frenzyheart 2]

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen from BC and my fiance is an American citizen from Iowa.

Well, it looks like everyone has replied to you ... but I had to comment to say: YAY IOWA!