Spouse is US Citizen/Student, options for me to join her?

[vermontorbust 0]

Hi There, I need some help/direction.

My wife and daughter are both US and Canadian citizens, I am just Canadian. We are currently living in Canada, while we complete some school.

What I would like to know, if my wife is accepted into a Masters program in the USA, what(if any) options might I have to join her. Her schooling would be anyhwere from 3-6 years.

Any feedback is very much appreciated.

[Kastrs 723]

You should read the guides on this site. I believe the cr1/ir1 would be the best fit for you. It would enable you to live and work legally in the us while your wife was in school.

[hikergirl 277]

However, if your wife is only going to school you may need a financial co-sponsor as well.

There is a thread in the Canada Regional discussion on how to prove Domocile when not living in the US. It’ll help you guys set up your case better for Montréal.

There is a lot of reading on the site if you look at the guides, the CR-1/IR-1 thread and the Canada discussion.

It can be overwhelming and best taken in chunks. You can’t learn it all overnight.

Best of luck!

[vermontorbust 0]

Thank you for the email. Yes, I've thoroughly read up on the process for us to simply move to the USA, but I wasn't sure if there was some other visa that would apply for the spouse of a student.

[Flames9_RN 359]

Nope as she is a USA citizen. But your ahead of the game as your looking into it now. Many don't bother to look until they need to move and then go into panic mode!! The process is not that difficult, just one needs to be patient! Some finish around 6 months, others take a year! Keep in mind once you get the interview and visa package--one has 6 months to get it endorsed at the Poe (port of entry). And there are other ways you can slow it down--if you need to. Best of luck

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

There is no visa for the spouse of a US citizen student. You could look into getting a TN visa or similar, but the CR-1 is probably best..

[hikergirl 277]

Thank you for the email. Yes, I've thoroughly read up on the process for us to simply move to the USA, but I wasn't sure if there was some other visa that would apply for the spouse of a student.

If she was applying for a Student Visa that would be a whole different kettle of fish. You could come as a derivative I believe.

But as she’s a USC then the only option is the CR-1/IR-1 Visa.

There are very good things about it being a CR-1/IR-1 and the first being that as soon as you POE with your visa, you are eligible to work in the US and travel freely.

Unfortunately it can take a long time to process the paperwork through USCIS and Canada does not have DCF (direct consulate filing) and you may have to live apart for a while.

Have you guys gotten your daughter her CRBA yet?

[vermontorbust 0]

Hi,

Our daughter was born in NYC, so her paperwork is all sorted already.

So, does this process take about year?

Again, thank you for the email.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Yes, a CR-1 takes about a year; you can visit the USA during the process, but cannot live here, work etc.

[hikergirl 277]

It may end up quicker for you, especially if you file from Canada before your wife has to move.

I’m not sure how old you are, but try and track down your vaccination records sooner than later. You may require some boosters to move down.