Canadian - trying to find best resolution to marrying American gf

[jonnyboy19 0]

Hey Guys and girls

 

hope all is well. I am officially engaged to my gf who is an american citizen.. We were thinking of doing a one step process. I took some time off work and thought about going down for as few months and then getting married over some time..

 

I know the work permits come a lot easier and quicker if you do it this way.

 

Is there anything i should know before hand?

 

We live on a border town so its not so hard to see each other if I do a two step process go down get married come back and continue to work in canada, but to wait another 8-12 months to get this approved seems like a very long and strenuous ordeal.

[geowrian 22,338]

Your options are

 

1) Get married (anywhere), then start on the CR-1 visa process. ETA: ~12-14 months. You can work and travel immediately after POE.

2) Start filing for a K-1 visa. ETA: ~7-9 months now on average. You can't work or travel abroad until you have the green card or AP (~4 months after filing for it with AOS).

 

Entering the US with the intent to adjust status is fraud, so that's not an option for you.

 

Edit: You can visit while the case is processing.

Edited September 27, 2017 by geowrian

[Dutchster 1,107]

Poster above pretty much explained your options. Go compare and see what will work the best for you both, but mostly you. 

With the K-1, you will be financially dependent on your fiancee until you can work. Remember that. 

[Crazy Cat 42,033]

The CR-1 results in a Green Card within about 3 weeks of entering the US.

The CR-1 allows you to work immediately after entry into the US.

The CR-1 is much less expensive than K-1.

The CR-1 allows you to travel outside the US after receiving your Green Card

 

The K-1 requires you to file additional paperwork, evidence (AOS).  It results in a Green Card months and months after entering the US.

The K-1 does not allow you to work after entering the US.  You must file for additional EAD paperwork with the AOS .  Processing time until you can legally work is about 4-6 months.  (This, alone, is a huge factor for many couples).

The K-1 is much more expensive than the CR-1....quite a bit more

The K-1 does not allow you to leave the US after marriage until you receive permission via Advance Parole (additional paperwork submitted with EADdocuments).  Processing time is 4-6 months.  Leaving the US prior to approval for A/P can be seen as abandoning your legal status in the US.

[Ryan H 3,819]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum; multiple processes are being discussed.

[caliliving 606]

On 9/27/2017 at 11:56 AM, jonnyboy19 said:

Hey Guys and girls

 

hope all is well. I am officially engaged to my gf who is an american citizen.. We were thinking of doing a one step process. I took some time off work and thought about going down for as few months and then getting married over some time..

 

I know the work permits come a lot easier and quicker if you do it this way.

 

Is there anything i should know before hand?

 

We live on a border town so its not so hard to see each other if I do a two step process go down get married come back and continue to work in canada, but to wait another 8-12 months to get this approved seems like a very long and strenuous ordeal.

it is ILLEGAL to go there with the intent to get married. plus, you cant just show up to the border with a truck load of and think you wont have problems!

you are lucky bc u ive on a border town. keep your job and apartment, and show proof of residing in canada and working and you shouldnt have issues! therefore, you will be able to continue to visit. but no job or apartment to go back to, and when you go into secondary you have a strong chance of being denied entry. unfortunately, you will need to file a k1 and wait or a cr1 and wait longer but have everything you need upon entry.

being canadian doesnt make it faster/easier.

[NikLR 13,231]

On 9/27/2017 at 1:27 PM, missileman said:

The CR-1 results in a Green Card within about 3 weeks of entering the US.

The CR-1 allows you to work immediately after entry into the US.

The CR-1 is much less expensive than K-1.

The CR-1 allows you to travel outside the US after receiving your Green Card

 

The K-1 requires you to file additional paperwork, evidence (AOS).  It results in a Green Card months and months after entering the US.

The K-1 does not allow you to work after entering the US.  You must file for additional EAD paperwork with the AOS .  Processing time until you can legally work is about 4-6 months.  (This, alone, is a huge factor for many couples).

The K-1 is much more expensive than the CR-1....quite a bit more

The K-1 does not allow you to leave the US after marriage until you receive permission via Advance Parole (additional paperwork submitted with EADdocuments).  Processing time is 4-6 months.  Leaving the US prior to approval for A/P can be seen as abandoning your legal status in the US.

To amend, the CR1 gives you an immediate green card upon entry.  The visa, when endorsed at entry, becomes a temporary green card valid for 1 year.  Most jobs, however, wont hire you without an SSN even though you can legally work, you just can't be paid.  That normally takes 2-4 weeks. 

 

Also as a Canadian you qualify for EI.  You can either qualify immediately with a CR1 visa or after EAD is obtained with the K1. 

Edited September 30, 2017 by NikLR

[Dashinka 24,717]

On 9/29/2017 at 11:15 PM, caliliving said:

it is ILLEGAL to go there with the intent to get married. plus, you cant just show up to the border with a truck load of and think you wont have problems!

you are lucky bc u ive on a border town. keep your job and apartment, and show proof of residing in canada and working and you shouldnt have issues! therefore, you will be able to continue to visit. but no job or apartment to go back to, and when you go into secondary you have a strong chance of being denied entry. unfortunately, you will need to file a k1 and wait or a cr1 and wait longer but have everything you need upon entry.

being canadian doesnt make it faster/easier.

Just a clarification.  It is illegal to enter the country with the intent to stay and AOS.  Many people enter the country with the intent to marry here and then leave while a spouse visa application is processed which is perfectly acceptable and legal.

Edited October 3, 2017 by Bill & Katya