So much information, please help to clarify

[curious1971 0]

Ok, wow, so much information!

I am going to try to keep this as short but detailed as possible.

I am a canadian citizen, living in Canada.

I am in love with a US citizen. We have known each other since we were teenagers and had lost contact but we recently got back in touch and fell back in love.

I have never been married, and he has been married but now divorced.

I am currently not employed in Canada, recently laid off.

I have gone to visit my boyfriend 2 times in the last month and plan on heading back to him this week.

I want to stay indefinately.

We want to be together but do not want to feel rushed to marry.

I own a house in Canada with a previous common law spouse.

What are my options to be able to move to the US to be with my boyfriend.

I read about a K1 visa, and there is so much information to process.

Here is what I understand so far:

I can be in the US with him and get engaged ( not my first option just yet).

Once engaged, we would have to file an application ( not sure which).

Once this is filed and recieved, we have 90 days to get married?

I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can give me. I just want to be with him.

Thank you!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Welcome to VJ!

The best place to start is by reading the comparison guide to learn about the two visa options: K-1 (for fiancé(e)s) and the IR-1/CR-1 (for spouses): http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

With both options, there will be time spent apart, but it will be up to you and your partner on which option is preferred -- to spend the time apart upfront with the while waiting for the petition and K-1 visa or get married and then start the process to petition you as a spouse. Be sure to read through both options and weigh the pros/cons. Also, be sure to share the details with your partner since he's the USC, he will need to start the petition process, whichever you choose. Good luck!

Ok, wow, so much information!

I am going to try to keep this as short but detailed as possible.

I am a canadian citizen, living in Canada.

I am in love with a US citizen. We have known each other since we were teenagers and had lost contact but we recently got back in touch and fell back in love.

I have never been married, and he has been married but now divorced.

I am currently not employed in Canada, recently laid off.

I have gone to visit my boyfriend 2 times in the last month and plan on heading back to him this week.

I want to stay indefinately.

We want to be together but do not want to feel rushed to marry.

I own a house in Canada with a previous common law spouse.

What are my options to be able to move to the US to be with my boyfriend.

I read about a K1 visa, and there is so much information to process.

Here is what I understand so far:

I can be in the US with him and get engaged ( not my first option just yet).

Once engaged, we would have to file an application ( not sure which).

Once this is filed and recieved, we have 90 days to get married?

I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can give me. I just want to be with him.

Thank you!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

When you travel this week, you may stay as long as you are authorized. Since you have plans to immigrate, you do not qualify for adjustment of status.

There are no boyfriend visas. If you wish to marry you must file the K-1 or marry and file for the Cr-1

good luck

[curious1971 0]

When you travel this week, you may stay as long as you are authorized. Since you have plans to immigrate, you do not qualify for adjustment of status.

There are no boyfriend visas. If you wish to marry you must file the K-1 or marry and file for the Cr-1

good luck

Thank you for your prompt response.

So how long am I authorized to stay? If we get married within my aloted authorized time to stay, would I have to leave the US while the K1 visa or CR-1 is being processed? or once married can I stay while everything is being approved.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Marrying a US citizen does not give you any rights to stay in the US

Since you intend to immigrate, you cannot stay. Using a tourist visa or tourist status to go to the US and immigrate is immigration fraud. You will enter as a tourist, you need to stay that way.

You can file in the US but must leave when your authorized stay is over. Unless otherwise stated, you may stay for 180 days. but you must leave, the police certificate must be obtained from Canada as well as the medical and interview

good luck

[NikLR 13,227]

A Canadian can stay in the USA for up to 6 months in a year. If the stay is that long to begin with, you probably will be asked to provide proof of ties to Canada. So you guys could do a lot of the visa process while you visit. You can't work though and you'd still need a k1 or cr1 visa to immigrate.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

A Canadian can stay in the USA for up to 6 months in a year. If the stay is that long to begin with, you probably will be asked to provide proof of ties to Canada. So you guys could do a lot of the visa process while you visit. You can't work though and you'd still need a k1 or cr1 visa to immigrate.

It is actually 180 days

Good luck

[curious1971 0]

It is actually 180 days

Good luck

Thank you everyone for your responses, I appreciate all the answers and I have to tell you I am a fairly intelligent person but wow, this is alot of info to process and understand.

I have a couple questions and forgive me if I am repeating the same questions but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around all of

1. What is the cost of a K-1 visa?

2. What is the cost of Cr-1 visa?

3. What is the wait time for a K-1 visa?

4. What is the wait time for a Cr-1 visa?

5. If I travel to the US for a visit and stay for the alotted 180 days, can we get married while I am there and start the most efficient process?

If anyone can just share with me the best option possible, so that this can be as expedited as humanly possible without having to spend so much time apart.

Thank you!

[TBoneTX 45,329]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- OP has not decided on a visa path. ***

[canadian_wife 1,822]

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

The comparason guide answers your questions 1-4

#5 Yes, you can start the process. Be sure not to overstay your allotted time and return to Canada

Good luck