Need some informations

[mandarines 0]

I have some questions.

I am a Canadian woman and I have a relationship with an American for some months, but I know him for more than a year. At the start we did not believe in anything serious between us, but things have been better than we thought. We're getting married in March or April 2012 and I plan to move with him July 1, 2012 in U.S. Apparently for us, the DCF is better.

What are the conditions? How it works?

I don't know where to start and what to do. I read that we have to prove our relationship, must we visit each other on a regular basis? We have 17-hour drive between us, we both have a job and a kid for me, so it make it harder to visit often.

He came 10 days in May, I spent 2 weeks this summer with him at his apt, then I returned here 2 weeks with him, next time we'll see each other its for christmas, *sigh* He'll come for around 18 days.

We spend all the days together on the internet to chat and we use skype to talk, if not, it will cost lots of money to talk.

What do I need to know about the steps? Someone can give me some details?

Is it true that I will lose my Canadian citizenship? I have a child who will move with me, things are already done with his father (paper signed with lawyer) for my son live in the U.S with me and my future husband.

If I need to know things that I do not know, please tell me. If you need to know something about our relationship ask it.

I want the things well done.

Thank you.

[hikergirl 277]

DCF is no longer possible for Canada as we don't have a USCIS Field Office. Your proposed timeline is not feasible. If you read this, it will give you a better idea of what you are looking at for timelines etc: Comparison between Visas

You will not lose your Canadian citizenship as dual citizenship is allowed for both countries.

How you proceed may depend on how old your son is.

[Inky 1,111]

Sorry no DCF for Canada.

You will have to file the regular way through USCIS in the USA.

Even if there was DCF you cannot file DCF because he does not live in Canada.

Whoever told you that you lose your citizenship is a liar. Besides you don't even get US citizenship for 3 years after you get your green card anyways! nothing to worry about at this time.

I don't think you will be getting married in March 2012 an then moving in JULY 2012! the process takes around 9 months to do and you CANNOT move to the USA without the CR-1 visa in your passport. You will have to change your plans on that one.

[mandarines 0]

Well that seem complicated. I will watch the link after return working I have to go now, my son is 7 years old and his father agree for him to live in US with me. Why you said depend how old is he? His father want if I have legal paper.

What is the best plan? What is your suggestion? If we have to wait another 9 months, my god, its enough hard like that to not see him everyday.

Edited September 27, 2011 by mandarines

[hikergirl 277]

I only said that in case your son was older (you must marry before 18 for your son to be filed as a step-son) but in your case there is seems to be no problem because he is young and you have the court document.

For me, we are going to get married sometime next summer and apply for a CR-1. I decided to go this way because I would like to be able to work as soon as I get into the US. However, my then husband will have to file separately for me and my daughter (who will be under 18) and I think we will be paying double, I haven't completely looked at the fee table yet.

If you apply as a fiance, the paperwork could be started now but you would get your visa and then get married in the US (within 90 days) and then file for Adjustment of Status and work authorization. If my understanding is correct, you can't work while you are waiting for your adjustment of status. I'm am not sure of the exact costs - it costs more than the CR-1 - but I think some of the costs won't be doubled because your son is so young.

If you are commited to getting married in Canada then I believe you have to go the CR-1 route.

If you read the various threads and guides you should be able to get a better understanding of what is required for each type of visa and the fees that will be incurred for each and what will be best for you and your family.

[mandarines 0]

The problem he still married, he will get divorced in January or February 2012, so sadly we can't start now.

I would like to to get married in Canada because I am going to live with him in U.S and I want my family with me for this special day. But if I can't....

If we make the CR-1 we must marry before started the procedure, right? And we have to wait 9 month before I move. How many time after getting married we can start papers?

If I apply as a fiancé (K-1) it costs more but takes less time and we must get married within 3 months, are we obliged to marry in the United States?

How long after I can find a job (for CR-1 or K-1)?

As I said, I don't know what to do and what is best. The only thing I want is to be with the man I love and find work. I'm sorry if I have many questions and its my English is not so good, but I want to do the right things. Your information start to be clearer. Can we communicate by email?

I wonder if it will easier for him to come in Canada.

[hikergirl 277]

I have only been researching this stuff for a couple of months myself and the other people on here have way more experience than I do. I am not opposed to you sending me private messages but there will be no one to correct me if I am wrong with one of these: . Please don't worry about your English, your points and questions are coming across clearly.

I think your questions should be moved over to a different section of the forums since you can't do the DCF, but I am not sure which one myself.

The CR-1 is a spousal visa for if you are married. The K-1 visa is the fiance visa. If you read the guides (click the word guides at the top of the page) they will give you the approximate times each one will take and the good and bad points of each. Because you have a while to decide what you are going to do because of the divorce issue, I would read up on each and make your decision from a place of more knowledge.

I am certain that if you go on a K-1 Visa, you are obliged to marry in the US and then you will AoS (adjust status) and get the EAD (employment authorization) before you can come back to Canada to visit family or to work in the US. There is nothing to say you would be required to marry where you will reside though. If you are in Vancouver, you could get married in Seattle and then your family could possibly attend or a similar scenario depending on where you are or where your family is.

I have heard it may be easier for him to come to Canada, but in the long run the wait will seem small and you should choose on where you want to live long-term. I am counting on that myself. My sweetheart has said once we have 40 more years together the separation will be barely a memory.

[Saylin 1,605]

The problem he still married, he will get divorced in January or February 2012, so sadly we can't start now.

I would like to to get married in Canada because I am going to live with him in U.S and I want my family with me for this special day. But if I can't....

If we make the CR-1 we must marry before started the procedure, right? And we have to wait 9 month before I move. How many time after getting married we can start papers?

If I apply as a fiancé (K-1) it costs more but takes less time and we must get married within 3 months, are we obliged to marry in the United States?

How long after I can find a job (for CR-1 or K-1)?

As I said, I don't know what to do and what is best. The only thing I want is to be with the man I love and find work. I'm sorry if I have many questions and its my English is not so good, but I want to do the right things. Your information start to be clearer. Can we communicate by email?

I wonder if it will easier for him to come in Canada.

If you want to marry in Canada, then your only option is the CR-1 visa. Yes, you would have to be married before starting the process. And you can file the I-130 package the very next day of being married if you want, as long as you have the marriage certificate as that needs to be sent in the initial package (just a copy though!).

And it's approximately 9 months from start to finish. It's about 5 months on average to get approved from USCIS (first step). Then about two months at NVC if you're on top of things (second step). Then once you're done with NVC, it's about another 2 months for an interview (last step). But if you're lucky and get approved at USCIS in less than 5 months, then it shaves off significant time.

And I've noticed that the K-1 and CR-1 take about the same amount of time. And the CR-1 is MUCH cheaper (by hundreds). If you do do K-1, then once you move to the US, you have 90 days to marry. And yes, it has to be in the US.

For jobs, for the CR-1, you just have to wait for a SSN (under 4 weeks), then you're good to go. For the K-1, you have to file forms wait for them to be accepted, and I believe they take a few months to get accepted.

If you want to work straight away once you get to the US and save money on forms, then I'd suggest going the CR-1 route.

[mandarines 0]

You're right I must ask my questions in other section but I your answer is very good. I ask him today if he can take a couple days off from work to visit me because I can not wait for christmas, so will see. Thanks.

[mandarines 0]

If you want to marry in Canada, then your only option is the CR-1 visa. Yes, you would have to be married before starting the process. And you can file the I-130 package the very next day of being married if you want, as long as you have the marriage certificate as that needs to be sent in the initial package (just a copy though!).

And it's approximately 9 months from start to finish. It's about 5 months on average to get approved from USCIS (first step). Then about two months at NVC if you're on top of things (second step). Then once you're done with NVC, it's about another 2 months for an interview (last step). But if you're lucky and get approved at USCIS in less than 5 months, then it shaves off significant time.

And I've noticed that the K-1 and CR-1 take about the same amount of time. And the CR-1 is MUCH cheaper (by hundreds). If you do do K-1, then once you move to the US, you have 90 days to marry. And yes, it has to be in the US.

For jobs, for the CR-1, you just have to wait for a SSN (under 4 weeks), then you're good to go. For the K-1, you have to file forms wait for them to be accepted, and I believe they take a few months to get accepted.

If you want to work straight away once you get to the US and save money on forms, then I'd suggest going the CR-1 route.

Thank for your answer, we probably go with CR-1. What is the I-130 package,I-864 package

and medical thing?

Edited September 28, 2011 by mandarines