Our plan. Good or bad?

[Protocol417 161]

In the grand scheme of things, you are very close to the end. The way things have been going lately, six months tops and you won't have to worry about it any more.

It may seem like ages, and TRUST ME, I know the traveling is hard. Each time I visit my fiance, it's a minimum of $1,400 out of my pocket (which generally involves taking out a small loan), and we've been doing this for more than two years. Also, we're both terrified of flying

But you are close, and you'll be very, very grateful some day that you are doing it the right way. I have a friend, also from the UK, who went to visit his wife for two weeks, got sick of it too, and just didn't go home. Seven years later, he's still fighting to stay in the country, and is having his authorization to work taken away. He has to start all over from the beginning again... fill out all the paperwork, pay the fees once more, wait for approval. He's actually lucky... he came thiiiiis close to being deported!

These handful of months will be far better than having to deal with the possible outcomes, and it will give the both of you time to prepare for your new life.

[dukeandduchess 141]

Just wait it out. If you can't wait a few more months I doubt your marriage will last. Things are still stressful even when you are together - months of not being able to work, stress of filing AOS and the never-ending wait for that to get approved, not to mention the stresses of everyday life.

As others have said, you are close to the end. Generally once your paperwork gets to the consulate you only have a few months left.

Good luck!

[Azsara 110]

A marriage license is usually only good for a month or so, so if you get one now it won't be good when you need it.

You can't get married now unless you want to forfeit the K-1 process and start over with a spousal visa.

You can't de facto live in the US. Border Patrol will catch on to your pattern and see you are living in the US and just going home for a few days and deny you entry.

Also just an FYI to those interested yes, its only valid for a month from when you actually PICK IT UP from the town hall, you can however, apply for it now and let it sit there until your within a month to your wedding date. this is what Steve and I did x

[RobBell 32]

Consider the fact that many others have to wait months to see each other, endure long flights, and incur a lot of expense just to be with the one we love. You are lucky to live so close even though you are separated by a border and have to wait some time to see each other.

It also seems that the ones that try to manipulate the rules, or skirt around them, are the ones who have trouble in the end.

[Rob & Monika 87]

As far as how often you visit and how long you stay, it is entirely up to CBPs discretion. There isn't a yes or no answer to your question. You may have no problems doing it, you may catch the eye of one of the guards who decides that you have spent too much time in the US, at which point you will be unable to enter the US until you have the visa. It comes down to the impression you give the guard when you cross which is generally based on what they have on their computer, what you say, and what you are carrying with you. I know a couple that can both telecommute for work, and they spend a month together in the US, then a month together in Canada, and back and forth. It works for them and the border hasn't given them a hard time.

It's a difficult process to go through, waiting while being apart, but at least you can still visit each other!

Edited August 15, 2013 by Rob & Monika

[canuckbos 10]

My fiance and I have been discussing a few things. We can't take the distance between us.

It might be in our best interest to do the following. Since he makes more money, its not really an issue right now. We agreed upon, I would quit my job, and live in the states with him 2 weeks at a time. I would go back to canada, every second week for a few days. Would this mess our process up?

Also, why can't we just sign the marriage licences now? We've filled our forms out, and we have sent them in, we know they're in the middle of 'processing' them. If we were to sign the documents, would that also mess our process up?

Suggestions please!

Do not attempt this, it is illegal, if you get caught (and most likely you will) it will create a whole new set of problems and you will be kicking yourself for not being patient and just doing it the right way.

The customs people have seen every trick in the book and they will figure it out, it's illegal so why would you jeopardize your whole future because you are being impatient.

Always do the right thing and you will like who you see in the mirror everyday.

We have all been where you are and know it's hard being apart, but do not be stupid and get caught!!!