Complicated timeline

[fergus31 1]

Hello!

I'm looking for some advice.

I am currently in the process of applying for a K1 visa - we just received our NOA2 notification and are waiting for the application to be sent to the consulate.

Our timeline is a bit worrying, however:

on September 20th 2014 I need to be in Toronto Canada for a wedding. The timelines here put my interview in the consulate in Mid May. I understand that after I enter the US on a K1 visa I cannot leave again without abandoning my application so I need to think about when I should enter the US as the timeline right now is looking very tight.

Right now I can see three options

Option 1 - Enter the US right away after I receive my K1 (e.g. Early June), get married ASAP and apply for Adjustment of Status(mid June). Hope the Advance Parole comes through before September 18th (when I hope to leave). (this would theoretically give me just over 2 months to receive advance parole)

Option 2 - Wait to enter the US until August and do not get married in the US until after September 20th. Travel to Canada and re enter with automatic revalidation http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/clp/bulletins/auto_reva.ctt/auto_reva.pdf (this option scares me as I'm not sure how automatic re-validation works and I really want to be with my fiance asap)

Option 3 - Wait to enter the US until after September 20th

Am I understanding this correctly? Which option do you think is best?

[aussie_jason 195]

Either Option 3 or give your own wedding & fiance/spouse priority and potentially not attend the wedding if option 1 doesn't work out, after all it should be more about being with your partner than attending someone else's wedding.

[nightingalejules 678]

Hello!

I'm looking for some advice.

I am currently in the process of applying for a K1 visa - we just received our NOA2 notification and are waiting for the application to be sent to the consulate.

Our timeline is a bit worrying, however:

on September 20th 2014 I need to be in Toronto Canada for a wedding. The timelines here put my interview in the consulate in Mid May. I understand that after I enter the US on a K1 visa I cannot leave again without abandoning my application so I need to think about when I should enter the US as the timeline right now is looking very tight.

Right now I can see three options

Option 1 - Enter the US right away after I receive my K1 (e.g. Early June), get married ASAP and apply for Adjustment of Status(mid June). Hope the Advance Parole comes through before September 18th (when I hope to leave). (this would theoretically give me just over 2 months to receive advance parole)

Option 2 - Wait to enter the US until August and do not get married in the US until after September 20th. Travel to Canada and re enter with automatic revalidation http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/clp/bulletins/auto_reva.ctt/auto_reva.pdf (this option scares me as I'm not sure how automatic re-validation works and I really want to be with my fiance asap)

Option 3 - Wait to enter the US until after September 20th

Am I understanding this correctly? Which option do you think is best?

I would probably opt to wait - I would also get pretty scared by the idea of "automatic re-validation" - sounds like something that could go wrong easily and you'd have to start all over.

Given how USCIS has been functioning lately, I'd hesitate to make any plans (like going early and hoping AP comes through in time) that force immigration to be on a tight timeline. They're not good at it.

The only other option I can think of is that you might be able to enter the US as a visitor (you're from Canada, right, so you don't need a visa) without activating the K1. You could spend some quality time with your fiance and plan the wedding and whatnot... then go back for the wedding, re-enter, activating the K1 and go ahead with your September plans.

I don't know if this is actually a viable option, but I remember someone talking about it on one of the boards and seemed to think that it would be possible, depending on the border guard you see and how generous they're feeling. If you live close enough to the border to drive, I'd give it a shot, knowing that if they won't let you cross the border without tripping the K1, you'd have to go home and wait.

Just my 2cents worth. Which is basically rounded down to nothing, now that Canada doesn't have pennies, so take it how you will!

[sassy222 5]

u can get an advance parole, in one day, if you present a valid reason why u need it urgent. the wedding should be in the USA for a K1 that might be your only worry.

[fergus31 1]

Hi sassy - I can get an advance parole in 1 day if there's an emergency I thought, not if I want to attend a wedding...

[aussie_jason 195]

Attending a wedding is clearly not an emergency

[NikLR 13,232]

You only really have option 1 and option 3 and out of the two, I suggest option 3.

Keep checking the website though, you may get lucky and an appointment may open up in March or April that you can snag. If you can get one in March, I think Option 1 is more viable than it was previously.