US citizen marrying Canadian

[Jamal 12 0]

Hello everyone, first time using these forums, have read quite a bit so thank you for all that are posting.

Anyways, I'm a dual citizen (Canadian/American)currently residing in Michigan

I am going to get married to my fiancee (who lives in Windsor, Ontario) who is a canadian citizen. We are getting married in Windosr and have our reception in Michigan. Now heres the situation. After we get married, I will live in Michigan for the month of January and after that I will commute backand forth to Windsor from Detroit. For the first month, i have a placement in Toledo which is quite a distance. I have not started any process of any visas because we plan to visit the middle east in May or June and I don't want her to be stuck in the US at that time. I will start the visa process for her in July to avoid that issue. Until then, is she allowed to come spend some time with me in the states. Is she able to cross back and forth with me or should she cross by herself saying that she is "visiting" .. please advise.

Thank You,

[hikergirl 277]

The CR-1 (spousal visa) allows the immigrant to get their green card right away. It is the Fiancés that end up trapped in the US waiting for Travel Authorization, Emp Auth & Green Cards. I believe the stamp your spouse would receive in her passport acts as a temporary green card pending the receipt of the physical card. I don't see any reason for you to delay the paperwork processing as it can take anywhere from 9 months to a year (or longer depending on AP - not a normal thing for Canadians).

That being said, if you go ahead as you have planned, the visiting spouse will need to carry proof of ties to their home country in order to make the crossing easier. Pay stubs, lease agreements, that sort of thing.

I can't see it being an issue you guys crossing together as long as you have your proof of ties.

Best of luck in your visa journey.

Edited November 17, 2012 by hikergirl

[Jamal 12 0]

Thank you for the reply. If i file the CR-1 , will she be able to visit the US in the meantime? Per the guide on this website for the CR-1 visa it mentions that you CAN'T enter the US during applying for this visa. Secondly, Can she travel oversease from Canada if I file the CR-1 for her.

[hikergirl 277]

Most Canadians have no issue visiting. Just make sure she brings proof of ties to Canada and it's helpful to have a return flight as well. I generally carry an employer's letter & my lease agreement. I know some people bring a copy of their I-130 w/NOA1 with them to show they've started the process.

There's no issue with her travelling from Canada to anywhere else either. She won't turn in her passport until her interview.

[C-ma'am 684]

I moved your post to the Canada regional forum, so you can hear from other experiences without having your post get buried in the K1 forum.

[Jamal 12 0]

what ties in specific would she need ... would a drivers license and a health card do with a bank statement?

Most Canadians have no issue visiting. Just make sure she brings proof of ties to Canada and it's helpful to have a return flight as well. I generally carry an employer's letter & my lease agreement. I know some people bring a copy of their I-130 w/NOA1 with them to show they've started the process.

There's no issue with her travelling from Canada to anywhere else either. She won't turn in her passport until her interview.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

what ties in specific would she need ... would a drivers license and a health card do with a bank statement?

No, not really. 9 times out of 10 she will likely be let in without an issue. But in the off chance the do ask for ties, they want to see something compelling. They want reasons she will return to Canada. So a job to return to, a mortgage or lease, kids to return to, etc.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Hugglebuggles

[Jamal 12 0]

another questoin ... the police certificate ... hwo long does it take for it to come through and how long is it valid for if done in Ontario??? If i do it before I file for my 130, will it still count?

[The Mean Lady 604]

another questoin ... the police certificate ... hwo long does it take for it to come through and how long is it valid for if done in Ontario??? If i do it before I file for my 130, will it still count?

Considering many jobs up here require it, I don't think it takes more than a few weeks.

I don't know if it has an expiration date, but I see no reason to apply for it this soon.

[Flames9_RN 358]

another questoin ... the police certificate ... hwo long does it take for it to come through and how long is it valid for if done in Ontario??? If i do it before I file for my 130, will it still count?

Time varies from office to office. Same do it same day, some a few days, some a week or two. For Montreal it is valid for 1 year. Its usually 1 of the easiest documents to get, so no real rush to get it. Best to find ur location--and ask them how long it takes. If one has ever had a criminal record--then you would alos require fingerprinting, which can take awhile. NO criminal record, then just the background check is required.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Time varies from office to office. Same do it same day, some a few days, some a week or two. For Montreal it is valid for 1 year. Its usually 1 of the easiest documents to get, so no real rush to get it. Best to find ur location--and ask them how long it takes. If one has ever had a criminal record--then you would alos require fingerprinting, which can take awhile. NO criminal record, then just the background check is required.

How does one find their location?

Do we just go to our local police dept?

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Your local police department works, unless you need fingerprints from the RCMP. I got my certificate from the Niagara Regional police, took about a week.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Your local police department works, unless you need fingerprints from the RCMP. I got my certificate from the Niagara Regional police, took about a week.

Good, so unless my husband is hiding something from me, police station should work.

[hikergirl 277]

Good, so unless my husband is hiding something from me, police station should work.

There is also the Commissionaires who do the CPIC checks so it all depends on what is most convenient.

FYI: If there is a "hit" on the name and/or birthdate then it will have to go to the RCMP. It's not always that someone is hiding something.

[The Mean Lady 604]

There is also the Commissionaires who do the CPIC checks so it all depends on what is most convenient.

FYI: If there is a "hit" on the name and/or birthdate then it will have to go to the RCMP. It's not always that someone is hiding something.

Well we very well could.

There was an incident with the RCMP about 2 or 3 years ago involving a gun sale and my husband's gun license.

Should probably file soon so I can get that out of the way if it happens.

I'll be honest. When my husband told me the mounties showed up to speak to him, I asked if they rode in on their horses... jokingly, but secretly I wondered.

Edited November 25, 2012 by KDubovik