Marriage? Vistors visa? Who moves?

[VGL 0]

Hi there,

My boyfriend and I have been dating long distance for 4 years. We do want to get married, however, we would like the chance to live with one another and co exsist for a period of time before taking that next step.

What is the best way for me to enter the US for a short period of time?

I am willing to move there for a few months and test it out (I am sure we will do very well.)

Questions:

1.)What happens if I can stay for 6 months and when its up, do I go back to Canada and have to wait for a certain amount of time untill I can re enter the US?

2.) If after 6 months we decide we want to get married, can I then apply for a fiance visa to have an additonal 90 days there with him?

3.) If we marry abroad (can we even do that?) Do iI have to go back to Canada and wait for papers to be filed and will we have to live seperatly as husband and wife?

4.) All in, what should I expect to spend on immigration fees etc?

5.) Its possible with his job he could relocate to Canada on a work visa, would you suggest we do this, then get married while hes here working?

Any information would help. Thank you for your time !

[canadian_wife 1,818]

First of all, you cannot move to the US without authorization

Secondly, as a Canadian, typically - although never a guarentee - one is given 6 months to VISIT (but still, you cannot live)

on to your questions

1. The Customs and Border Patorl (CBP) like to see you spend more time in Canada than in the US, if you stay for the allotted 6 months, they are going to want to see a significant amount of time in Canada before you try and enter again. Although, it is up to the CBP at each crossting. Entrance is never a guarentee

2. NO, if you are married you are married - you would not qualify for a fiance visa at that time.

3. Yes you can marry in Canada, I did. Then he would return to the US and you would wait out the process in Canada, 6-10 months on average

4. Where do you want to live? The US or Canada? If it is the US it is kind of crappy to get a transfer to Canada then request a transfer BACK to the US when it suits your love life. I'd be upset if one of my workers did that. But yes, he can transfer to Canada to be with you then

See the conparason guide here

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

to look at costs. Keep in mind, this is just the filing fees, it does not take into account medicals, etc.

Also keep in mind, if you are in the US, even as a visitor, for more than 6 months out of a year, you lose your right to provincial health care and may be considered a resident for tax purposes

good luck

[rocket34 0]

2. NO, if you are married you are married - you would not qualify for a fiance visa at that time.

The question posed was:

"2.) If after 6 months we decide we want to get married, can I then apply for a fiance visa to have an additonal 90 days there with him?"

She did not say they were married but WANTED to get married thus starting the process. I'm guessing the answer is still NO but can someone answer/confirm this?

[Boiler 45,399]

confirmed.

I vote for him moving on a work visa.

[MlovesW 7]

The K1 does not allow 90 "additional" days. What it allows is once approved you are able to travel to the US with your K1 visa and MUST marry your fiancé within the 90 days or your K1 is void and you must return back to your country and start over.

[Xanax 349]

The K1 does not allow 90 "additional" days. What it allows is once approved you are able to travel to the US with your K1 visa and MUST marry your fiancé within the 90 days or your K1 is void and you must return back to your country and start over.

And you would not get the k-1 approved in time to just tack on 90 days at the end of your 6 months. LOL. The k-1 is taking 6-10 months right now.

You best bet is to come to the US, stay for 6 months and then decide what to do, get married, continue long ditance, apply for K-1 etc

OF course the Canadian work visa is an option too but then you're in Canada not the US.

Edited July 17, 2012 by Xanax