Please help!

[Sohree 0]

Hi,

I am a Canadian Citizen (in Montreal, QC) and am planning to get married to my girlfriend. She is a dual citizen of Canada and the US and she lives in Detroit.

I have read the other posts but am still very confused about which kind of Visa I need to apply for.

We are not married or engaged yet because we were not sure what we are allowed to do to make this process easier.

I am planning on moving to the US but since i do not have work authorization I am not sure if I can apply and remain in Canada and continue working and saving money until the process of getting my green card is complete?

I was also wondering if it was possible to apply for my green card and while we are waiting for that process to finish, if she can move to Canada?

Im assuming that the CR-1 is the one i need to complete...is this correct? (since as a canadian i can enter the US anytime) and also once the CR-1 application is sent am I allowed to go visit while the visa is being processed.

Thanks in advance.

[Canadiandggal 49]

Hi,

I am a Canadian Citizen (in Montreal, QC) and am planning to get married to my girlfriend. She is a dual citizen of Canada and the US and she lives in Detroit.

I have read the other posts but am still very confused about which kind of Visa I need to apply for.

We are not married or engaged yet because we were not sure what we are allowed to do to make this process easier.

I am planning on moving to the US but since i do not have work authorization I am not sure if I can apply and remain in Canada and continue working and saving money until the process of getting my green card is complete?

I was also wondering if it was possible to apply for my green card and while we are waiting for that process to finish, if she can move to Canada?

Im assuming that the CR-1 is the one i need to complete...is this correct? (since as a canadian i can enter the US anytime) and also once the CR-1 application is sent am I allowed to go visit while the visa is being processed.

Thanks in advance.

If you two are not even engaged yet a finacee visa k-1 could be a better choice but if you marry I suggust cr-1. Yes you can apply for the cr-1 and then work and wait it out in canada. You can visit during the process just bring tons of ties to canada, letter from job,lease agreement and always be honest.

[Sohree 0]

Thanks for your response.

Does it matter which country we get married in? Can i go to the US and get married in court and then make my application and return to canada? or is it better for her to come to Canada and get married in a court here?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Working and traveling immediatly was important to us, you cannot do those 2 things with a K-1 right away, plus the K-1 is more expensive in the long run (althought slightly faster than the cr-1)

You can work and live in Canada for the duration of the process and save money, but visit the US if you can (be sure to bring strong ties to Canada when you cross)

Good luck

Edit - no it does not matter where you get married, I suggest you get married in the place that has the quickest issuance of the marriage cert. Not sure about QC but in Ontario it took 8 weeks

Edited November 6, 2010 by canadian_wife

[Canadiandggal 49]

Thanks for your response.

Does it matter which country we get married in? Can i go to the US and get married in court and then make my application and return to canada? or is it better for her to come to Canada and get married in a court here?

dont think it matters what country, as said above the quicker the marriage certificate is issued the better. You can marry in the states but you MUST return to Canada as you have intent when crossing the border. you might have some problems at the border though, as you are getting married and they will want to know that you are not trying to "immigrate" without the proper visa. It is not illegal to marry in the states nor do you need a visa for it but you will have to do the cr-1 visa.

its far too early for me, hope that made sense.

[Sohree 0]

dont think it matters what country, as said above the quicker the marriage certificate is issued the better. You can marry in the states but you MUST return to Canada as you have intent when crossing the border. you might have some problems at the border though, as you are getting married and they will want to know that you are not trying to "immigrate" without the proper visa. It is not illegal to marry in the states nor do you need a visa for it but you will have to do the cr-1 visa.

its far too early for me, hope that made sense.

What do you mean by "its far too early for me"?

thanks for the responses.

[OBX 51]

What do you mean by "its far too early for me"?

thanks for the responses.

Looking at the time of the post I think she means it was very early in the morning when she posted. and wasn't sure if she was making sense.

Have a look at the comparison chart for the different visas. Comparison Chart

Just a note of caution regarding these charts, the times are not realistic for filers interviewing in Montreal as that consulate has been seriously backlogged for some time.

Good luck.