Hello... and HELP!

[hotmailpoet 0]

I am a Canadian, who fell in love with a girl from Washington and want to become a US citizen. We want to marry at her place, but would get married here in Canada if that would speed things up. Having some trouble navigating through all the legal b.s. I don't even know where to start.

I am a 42 year old male. I do have a criminal record from years ago, and need to know if a Canadian pardon will help with the visa/immigration process, or is that a waste of time? Where do I start first? Would marrying in Canada first improve/speed the process or will it make little to no difference?

Any help would be greatly apprerciated.

[YuAndDan 153]

Welcome.

From reading in the Canada forum, for speed then K-1 fiancee and marry in the USA would be the quicker process, K-1 can be intervied in Vanceuver or Montreal depending on where you live, K-1 may save you 2-3 months over spouse (Marry in Canada)

That being said, keep in mind, K-1 costs much more in fees, K-1 cannot take a job so tends to be out of work for 4-6 months after arriving in the USA, and is also land-locked, cannot travel back to Canada until having AP document or Green-card, again 4-6 months.

Compare:

K-1 (FEES ~$1800)

K-1 cannot take a job until getting EAD or Green-card, this can take MONTHS after arrival

K-1 cannot get a DL until they have EAD or Green-card, can use foreign DL in most states though.

K-1 becomes land locked and cannot travel out of the USA until having green-card or AP doc, which can take MONTHS to get.

CR-1 (FEES ~$900)

CR-1 gets green-card the moment they arrive in the USA so can take a job immediately

CR-1 gets green-card so can apply for a DL

CR-1 gets green-card so can immediately travel, conceivable the next day, passport is stamped I-551 which allows work and travel

Essentially K-1 visa holder will be unable to work for at least 4-6 months after arrival.

IF work shortly after arrival is desired, then the better visa is CR-1, (marry first, then apply for visa) CR-1 spouse visa costs less and gets green-card upon arrival to the USA.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Would marrying in Canada first improve/speed the process or will it make little to no difference?

Little to no difference. I've seen people from Canada post about how long it takes for spouse visa cases to make their way through the Consulate in Montreal (which is where you will have to go to interview if you marry in Canada).

If you and your fiancee decide to pursue the K1 (fiancee visa), then you may be able to interview at the Consulate in Vancouver. It depends on where you live in Canada.

As for the other issues, I'm not qualified to give you answers. Your fiancee may need to talk to a good immigration attorney to find out specifics.

[envy_me 18]

welcome to VJ!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Your criminal record. What were the charges and what was the maximum time you couldn't have served ? Some prior crimes are harder than others to get approved.