Best and quickest option?

[Heyimafishy 0]

Oops, I accidentally fell in love with a US citizen and we are now engaged. I want to go through the proper avenues and I would like to know what the best and quickest option will be.

I would like to be able to work as soon as I can upon my arrival in the US as my fiancé and I are anxious to buy a home. Some tell me to marry and then just not return to Canada, some tell me to go through the K1 (fiancé) visa process.

He earns around $80,000/year so I think he would be eligible to sponsor me?

Is our best option to get married and apply for a K3 visa? Roughly how long does this take and how much should we expect to spend?

Also, around 13 years ago I was involved in a car accident in which one of my passengers was killed. 3 years later I went to court facing vehicular manslaughter charges but it was dropped and I do not have a criminal record. How will this come into play? Surely I will have to disclose this information somewhere, how do I broach this? Will this affect my eligibility?

I'm sorry about all of these questions, thank you for your patience.

[JohnR! 5,495]

The quickest visa in your case would be the K-1, fiance visa, which takes in average 6 months. K-3 visas have been superseded by CR/IR visas so they are all but extinct and it takes in average 1 year to complete. With a K-1 visa you can enter the US for the purpose of getting married and establishing residence. You are required to marry within 90 days of your arrival and start the process of AOS to become a resident. The trade off is that it will take you about 90 days (from the time you file for AOS) for you to receive your work permit. At best you are looking at 4 months without a job once you're stateside.

With the CR/IR, you're allowed to work the moment you enter the US. Neither visa is without wait and anxiety so the decision is ultimately yours.

In both cases you can enter the US to visit your fiance (or husband) while you wait for your visa to be processed in Canada.

Good luck and congrats!

[Heyimafishy 0]

Thanks so much for the reply. I think I will go the CR route.

[Boiler 45,466]

I would like to be able to work as soon as I can upon my arrival in the US as my fiancé and I are anxious to buy a home. Some tell me to marry and then just not return to Canada, some tell me to go through the K1 (fiancé) visa process.

The first option whilst undoubtedly quicker is not proper.

So proper quickest would be the K1.

[Ed and Gina 45]

Yes...you will have to mention your car accident and the details of it. Be prepared to provide police and court documents...even if the charges were dropped. You're correct...it will come up. It should not affect you since you weren't prosecuted. Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. It might be a hassle to get all of that together...but, you will need documentation. A K1 will be the fastest...costs a bit more...and the wait for LPR is a bit longer...etc etc...otherwise, you'll wait a year or so for the CR1.

Good Luck!

[NikLR 13,227]

If you are currently in the USA you can get married and apply for your adjustment of status, however just like with a K1 visa, you won't be able to work or return to Canada for 90 days. If you are not currently in the USA then it is illegal to enter the USA with intent to immigrate without an appropriate visa.

Because you want to work asap, then the CR1 is the route for you if you don't want to stay and AOS. It takes longer than a k1 but you get a green card upon arrival and can work asap. The CR1 takes about 12-18 months currently but times speed up and slow down according to work loads.