Apping before marriage ?

[Catou1181 0]

Hi

I just called the AMCITS to get some information on what would be best for my situation. Im Canadian, planning to marry an American and moving there this fall. The wedding is planned to occur in Montreal for a few reasons(so my family can attend more easily, since Im moving there, we thought it would be nice to get married here).

So from all that Ive read and heard, that crossed out the fiance visa option as we wouldn't be getting married in the States.

So Ive been looking, and worrying and just about to have my head explode lol... I called the AMCITS and they told me that it's possible for my fiance to apply for a Spousal Visa before we are married. Is that true ? The girl didn't seem sure herself of the information she was giving me.

From what I understood from her, is that we could apply for the Spousal Visa which is supposed to take from 6 to 12 months. In the meantime, we would get married(possibly in 6-8 months) and if the visa is issued I could move there right away, and if not, I would only have to wait 1-6 months before being able to be with my husband; as opposed to applying for the Visa after being married and having to wait 6-12 months to be with my husband.

Is any of this information correct ? I need to make a decision about my current lease and job within a month so Im sorta stressed out about the whole process and what's the best thing for us to do.

Any insight ? Can anyone confirm that we can in fact file the petiton for a spousal visa before getting married ?

Thanks so much

Cat

[payxibka 10,047]

[vylex 0]

Cat,

It isn't possible since you need to send a copy of the marriage certificate. One possible option is to get married in court to start the process. You can then continue with the big wedding while the immigration process is started.

[milimelo 4,550]

Hi Catou1181,

I do not think you can file for a spousal visa - in your case it would be CR1 (less than 2 years married) before you are actually married. The main reason being that you need to submit your marriage certificate with the I-130. I know this because I went with my husband to the embassy 2 weeks after we were married and we had to submit the marriage certificate (and they even looked at our wedding pics before approving us on the spot).

Good luck with your visa journey!

Hi

I just called the AMCITS to get some information on what would be best for my situation. Im Canadian, planning to marry an American and moving there this fall. The wedding is planned to occur in Montreal for a few reasons(so my family can attend more easily, since Im moving there, we thought it would be nice to get married here).

So from all that Ive read and heard, that crossed out the fiance visa option as we wouldn't be getting married in the States.

So Ive been looking, and worrying and just about to have my head explode lol... I called the AMCITS and they told me that it's possible for my fiance to apply for a Spousal Visa before we are married. Is that true ? The girl didn't seem sure herself of the information she was giving me.

From what I understood from her, is that we could apply for the Spousal Visa which is supposed to take from 6 to 12 months. In the meantime, we would get married(possibly in 6-8 months) and if the visa is issued I could move there right away, and if not, I would only have to wait 1-6 months before being able to be with my husband; as opposed to applying for the Visa after being married and having to wait 6-12 months to be with my husband.

Is any of this information correct ? I need to make a decision about my current lease and job within a month so Im sorta stressed out about the whole process and what's the best thing for us to do.

Any insight ? Can anyone confirm that we can in fact file the petiton for a spousal visa before getting married ?

Thanks so much

Cat

[Catou1181 0]

Hi Catou1181,

I do not think you can file for a spousal visa - in your case it would be CR1 (less than 2 years married) before you are actually married. The main reason being that you need to submit your marriage certificate with the I-130. I know this because I went with my husband to the embassy 2 weeks after we were married and we had to submit the marriage certificate (and they even looked at our wedding pics before approving us on the spot).

Good luck with your visa journey!

Yeah I started reading up on the files you need to send, and I saw the marriage certificate was one of them

So basically, my only option would be to get married in court soon and then start the CR-1 ? (which is the I-130 right ?).

If not, are there absolutely no options that allow us to get married in Canada and have me move there within the month ? Or before if needed ?

Edited March 5, 2007 by Catou1181

[payxibka 10,047]

Yeah I started reading up on the files you need to send, and I saw the marriage certificate was one of them

So basically, my only option would be to get married in court soon and then start the CR-1 ? (which is the I-130 right ?).

If not, are there absolutely no options that allow us to get married in Canada and have me move there within the month ? Or before if needed ?

Immigration process is slow and painstaking... Though not sure of the proess of a USC going to Canada

Edited March 5, 2007 by fwaguy

[Catou1181 0]

Where would I get the best information as to what is best to do in my situation ?

Almost sounds like getting married in a courthouse is the easiest way, then filing for a CR-1 and then getting married in a church in Montreal while the file is being processed. That's not illegal is it ? Basically the paperwork that's done after a wedding ceremony would already be done. That's the only difference ?

[Catou'sguy 0]

Where would I get the best information as to what is best to do in my situation ?

Almost sounds like getting married in a courthouse is the easiest way, then filing for a CR-1 and then getting married in a church in Montreal while the file is being processed. That's not illegal is it ? Basically the paperwork that's done after a wedding ceremony would already be done. That's the only difference ?

hello,

just wanted to let everyone know the other side of the coin here. Hello. I'm the american in the partnership here and we are very interested to know jsut which way to go. Soooo confusing.

thanks

[gwenneh 7]

Where would I get the best information as to what is best to do in my situation ?

Almost sounds like getting married in a courthouse is the easiest way, then filing for a CR-1 and then getting married in a church in Montreal while the file is being processed. That's not illegal is it ? Basically the paperwork that's done after a wedding ceremony would already be done. That's the only difference ?

It's certainly not illegal, and actually fairly common. Plenty of people have two weddings to get the visa requirements in order, then to have their big ceremony with all due pomp and circumstance.

[vylex 0]

Where would I get the best information as to what is best to do in my situation ?

Almost sounds like getting married in a courthouse is the easiest way, then filing for a CR-1 and then getting married in a church in Montreal while the file is being processed. That's not illegal is it ? Basically the paperwork that's done after a wedding ceremony would already be done. That's the only difference ?

No it's not illegal because you would be technically married. You can continue on with a Church wedding. Yep, you wouldn't need to have the marriage filed anymore. It would be more like a re-affirmation of vows.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thats what we did. On a trip to the USA, we did a court house wedding, then started the Cr-1 paperwork. Never told our families, lol Then later down the road did a family wedding (they thought it was real!!) Back then the process was much quicker, around 6 months in total for us, but seems things have slowed down and taking closer to a yr!! I Visited the USA pretty much every month and never had any hassles. Some people do get questioned a bit more, and some get denied. Just be honest and have proof of ties to canada (letter from employer, lease, bills, etc)

Another option for married couples is the K3 abnd can be a bit faster, but I'm not up to date with that info. Best of luck.

[Catou'sguy 0]

Thats what we did. On a trip to the USA, we did a court house wedding, then started the Cr-1 paperwork. Never told our families, lol Then later down the road did a family wedding (they thought it was real!!) Back then the process was much quicker, around 6 months in total for us, but seems things have slowed down and taking closer to a yr!! I Visited the USA pretty much every month and never had any hassles. Some people do get questioned a bit more, and some get denied. Just be honest and have proof of ties to canada (letter from employer, lease, bills, etc)

Another option for married couples is the K3 abnd can be a bit faster, but I'm not up to date with that info. Best of luck.

sounding good honey, Im excited about all this great information. less complicated now. thanks for the help guys

[Flames9_RN 358]

It is not a super complictaed procedure, but one must be PATIENT!!!! Two different people can start the same visa process at the same time, at the same service centres, yet finish at different times!!! As well you can phone USCIS and get wrong info!!! Can be frustrating!! Best of luck

[meauxna 15]

If not, are there absolutely no options that allow us to get married in Canada and have me move there within the month ? Or before if needed ?

There are no marriage-based options that allow you to move to the US inside of a month. If you qualify for some type of TN employment, that's the only way I can think of to move that quickly.

Even "fall" is ambitious at this point.