I have NO idea what I am doing!

[shucks 1]

So, I thought I was well organized and that we had figured out our plan- but now I'm not so sure.

I'm from Canada and my SO is from USA. We want to get married within the next few months and for me to move to where he is. We were under the impression that I could enter USA with him in november, we get married, file I-30 (along with G-325A, then I-485) stay while they are processing. I hadn't considered "immigration fraud" until I read it in a thread, I had assumed we would be able to say at the border we were travelling to his home state to get married and file the visas. Would I have to leave immediately after we get married? Is this the correct order of proceeding? I am so lost right now.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

There are numerous threads about this on VJ. It is immigration fraud to enter on a visitor visa with the intent to stay and adjust. Saying as much at the border will get you turned away. Lying at the border is a whole different issue that you don't want to get into with lying to a government official.

The proper way is to have him file the K-1 fiance visa application, wait for it to come through, then move to the US, marry, and stay and adjust status (K-1 is dual intent, so you can stay and adjust). Or get married in either country, then go back to Canada while he files the CR-1 spouse visa paperwork.

[twin810s 23]

We got married here in the US - he's from Canada. He went home of course after we got married. We started the paperwork 3 days after we got married.

[shucks 1]

So I am guessing we need to alter our plan! I definitely do not want to unintentionally do something wrong.

Would the correct order be:

K1/I-129F application (with biographical form, statements of meeting/courting, intent to marry)

move

marry

adjustment form for resident status

has anyone completed these personal statements before? typically how long should they be?

[ChicagoSarah 127]

So I am guessing we need to alter our plan! I definitely do not want to unintentionally do something wrong.

Would the correct order be:

K1/I-129F application (with biographical form, statements of meeting/courting, intent to marry)

move

marry

adjustment form for resident status

has anyone completed these personal statements before? typically how long should they be?

Yes.

There are guides at the top of the VJ page (access this website from a PC if possible...at least a tablet...the phone version will limit your access). There are examples of all of the forms and statements/letters sent with the packet.

The K-1 process is currently taking anywhere from 3 months to a year. They are rerouting applications due to a backlog at TSC. So no telling exactly how long until you would be approved and be able to move to the US (there are also timelines on VisaJourney, so check those out, too).

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to what visa do I need from IR1/CR1 process and procedures~~

[yuna628 9,676]

All current I129F cases are being routed to CSC, which has faster processing, depending on the particulars of your case. I should expect, if the same speed continues, and no other difficulties that your case could be handled at the USCIS stage within a few months at max. Then it would be possibly a few more at the embassy stage. You will need to ensure that you are prepared to send your paperwork to the USCIS -- that means making sure you have proof of meeting within two years. Check you the guides for the K1 process, they are certainly valuable in determining everything you need. As for the statement of intent letter, ideally you should follow the examples here at the site and ensure that each of you send it as an originally signed letter (no copies). As far as a statement regarding meeting, that generally refers to the I-129F question 34A, you can write something extremely short or something lengthy. For me and my fiancé, we chose to write a more detailed statement of our relationship which also including meeting within two years and pointed the case reviewer toward the evidence we had supplied to back up that statement.