Canadian engaged to American... help!

[KarenCee 3]

The fastest way to get a green card is the CR-1/IR-1 option. Though its not nessiarly the fastest for you to get together with your fiancee. K-1 and K-3 require you to apply for AOS after you enter the US, which takes another 6 months or so. CR-1/IR-1 might take a little bit longer, but you get a Green Card right away.

Not always....we've been waiting 9 months so far and my husband is Canadian...others have waited far longer than we have.

[Flames9_RN 359]

Thanks again for all the help. I understand that this isnt a fast 1 week operation to do, I'm just trying to figure out which option is the best for my situation. Does anyone know what the difference is between these visas (k-1 or k-3) and getting a green card through marriage? Is it longer/harder/easier?

Thanks!

Not too be rude, but if ur still asking what the difference between these two are, you most likely have not read the stickies on top of each of the sections!! take soem time and read over them.

[rebeccajo 14]

I wouldn't say CR1 is the fastest way to a greencard. But it is the fastest way to a normal life in America once you are here.

CR1 comes with the greencard. No worries about travel; no worries about waiting for work authorization. Flip side is the processing time is longer - if you can stand to be apart a while, CR1 will spare you anymore hassles with US immigration until you've been been here nearly two years.

[abigailD 0]

Thanks again for all the help. I understand that this isnt a fast 1 week operation to do, I'm just trying to figure out which option is the best for my situation. Does anyone know what the difference is between these visas (k-1 or k-3) and getting a green card through marriage? Is it longer/harder/easier?

Thanks!

Not too be rude, but if ur still asking what the difference between these two are, you most likely have not read the stickies on top of each of the sections!! take soem time and read over them.

I understand the differences between the K-1 and the k-3 visas... what I dont understand is the difference between the k-3 and the Green Card through marriage? As far as what I've read of both, they seem very similiar... why have 2 different options if they do the same thing?

[rebeccajo 14]

They don't do the same thing. And 'greencard through marriage' is probably the term you have in your head that's bogging down your understanding.

K3 is a visa for folks already married, like the CR1. It allows the couple a quicker reunion (generally) because the 'greencard' processing will occur stateside. It allows for multiple entries in and out of the US - it also allows you to file for employment authorization immediately after your US entry (prior to the 'greencard' petition). If you file for employment authorization as a K3 beneficiary, your employment will be authorized for two years (rather than one year as with a K1). But at some point you still must file form I485 for the grant of permanent residency (the greencard).

With CR1, all this takes place while the beneficiary (you) is still in your home country. Once you get here, it's all done.

Edited April 22, 2007 by rebeccajo

[meauxna 15]

Thanks again for all the help. I understand that this isnt a fast 1 week operation to do, I'm just trying to figure out which option is the best for my situation. Does anyone know what the difference is between these visas (k-1 or k-3) and getting a green card through marriage? Is it longer/harder/easier?

Thanks!

Not too be rude, but if ur still asking what the difference between these two are, you most likely have not read the stickies on top of each of the sections!! take soem time and read over them.

I understand the differences between the K-1 and the k-3 visas... what I dont understand is the difference between the k-3 and the Green Card through marriage? As far as what I've read of both, they seem very similiar... why have 2 different options if they do the same thing?

They don't do the same thing, but they lead to the same destination.

An immigrant visa lets the bearer into the US as a Permanent Resident. PRs use a document called a Green Card as evidence of their status.

A K-3 is a non-immigrant visa that gives the bearer permission to come to the US and live while they apply for their Permanent Residence (Green Card) through a process called AOS. AOS can take 3 months to 3 years to complete.

Immigrant Visa processing takes slighty longer than non-immigrant visa processing, but you get to 'the end' much quicker.

The link in my siggy, Now That You Are A Permanent Resident might be helpful to you.

[rebeccajo 14]

*points to mo*

SNAP!