Just Starting.

[YYZ2USA 0]

Well, here I am.. trying to get as much information as I can gather about what it will take and what I need when I eventually move to the good old USA. I don't know what would be easier, trying to get a work visa (although anyone in the USA is just as qualified as I am to do what I do) or wait until we are ready and maybe get a Fiance visa. We have a 1 year plan so far. I might move it upto a year and a half. Around this time next year I would love to live with my man. Can anyone give me an idea where or how to start this? It seems like it would be a long and hard process? Also, we as Canadians are not allowed to be in the lottery, correct?

[patient2010 93]

Welcome to VJ you will definitely get a lot of advice here I think your first step would be to decide which Visa you want to go for and once you do that you can move forward and yes the procss can be long Good luck to you on your journey!!!!

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi there. I see you're from Toronto. Me too!

I don't know about the GC lottery but the TN Visa is available to Canadians through NAFTA. I wouldn't, personally, recommend going the K-1 route. It's more expensive than the CR-1 route and a lot more hassle. I'll let those who are recently going through the process answer about timelines but I think you're looking at just over a year for both visa types.

Welcome to VJ. I'm glad you found us.

[mandaNchris 3]

Apply for your K-1 (fiance visa) now if you want to be over there in a year. Get form I-129f.

[YuAndDan 153]

You say be with your man, then Fiancee K-1 would be the quickest route, however the most expensive and has the drawback of not being work authorized for 4-6 months or longer after arriving in the USA.

CR-1 is another option it allows work, and is the least expensive for costs, it requires marriage first, and takes somewhat longer due to the Consulate in Montreal processing them slower than K-1.

K-3 is not a viable option anymore, NVC kills the K-3 in favor of the CR-1 when they receive the petitions from USCIS together.

Work visas are hard to justify when competing with qualified workers already in the USA, H-1 allotment for 2011 is closed, and TN visa tends to be for specialized occupations.

Compare: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[Inky 1,110]

Canadians are not eligible for the DV lottery(green card lottery).

If you are from another country that is in the DV lottery list and became a Canadian resident etc, then you can still apply for it.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

You could ask yourself a number of questions - you've said you'd like to be living together....are you close to a marriage proposal or not at that stage yet? If you're not at that stage yet, my advice would be (as much as you want to live together) - don't do it just so you can live together. Get to know one another a little longer until the time is right for that proposal to come naturally.

If however you ARE at that point...you have decisions to make...K1 is the fiance VISA...you go through the VISA process first, cross the border and then marry in the US (this is a must). You will then apply for work authorization and your temporary GC(another $1000+ fee right after the wedding). You will have a nice amount of time to plan the US wedding while waiting on the VISA process in Canada. You'll be able to continue to work until the day you move, save a little cash and visit one another during the process. As noted, the downside of the K1 is that you have to wait to be work authorized and be able to travel back home...this can be short time, it can be longer. Don't brush this off as no big deal, you'd be amazed how much you'll miss home Because you're not working, unless your spouse has a rgeat paying job, you might have a few lean months

Or you could get married shortly and file the CR1 as noted above - you'll still be living in Canada, him in the US for the first months of your marriage (mind you, you can still visit) - neither of these options have you living in the US legally until you have a VISA in hand. Maybe you're ready for marriage now, maybe you have your heart set on being married in Canada - you'll wait to get your marriage certificate here and then file.

Asking yourself some of these questions...what's important to you both will help, only you can decide....for myself - we'd do the CR1 instead of the K1

PS - TN Visas can be hard to come by - a company who was willing to hire me tried that route a couple years back, it was pretty tough....if your goal is marriage and moving there...I'd pick one of the 2 VISA above.

[Veronik 19]

Welcome YYZ2USA!

Well, I guess I will go against everyone so far and suggest you go the K-1 route The reason it worked for us (even though everyone is right it is pricier) is that it was shorter.

Whether you take the CR1 Visa route or the K1 Visa, since you're from Toronto you'll be dealing with the Montreal Consulate. Since you're new here, you should know that the consulate in Montreal is VERY slow. I remember when I was waiting for my interview date, there were people who had file way before me, and they were still waiting for an interview date in Montreal. After I moved here, got married and started the Green card process, some of those people were JUST going for their interview in Montreal. BUT, after their interview, people that go the CR1 route are granted a 2 year green card, can start working right away after they move, and can visit right away as well (correct me if I'm wrong!). I waited maybe 2.5 months to receive my advance parole (which authorises you to travel, TWICE) and my work authorisation...

It's a personnal choice, I'm glad we decided to go for the K-1 because I would have waited much longer before coming here if not. However, I wish we would have gone through the CR1, because I would have a green card right now, and not have to go for yet another interview to GET the green card ... But that's just me ranting!

Whatever you guys decide, make sure you do everything right and good luck!