Starting K-1 process and have a few questions

[#countdownlife 0]

Hello everyone,

My fiancé and I are starting the process for me to get the K-1 visa, she is American, and I am Canadian. We just had a couple questions about it.

 

We are following the guide on visajourney and the USCIS one, and everything seems pretty straight forward. We are about to send the first packet with the I-129 form in and we are being sure to triple check it. Is there any advice above and beyond what the visajourney guide gives that would be helpful to us, anything specific to Canada?

 

As far as income goes, my fiancé’s last years income is just above the required amount, about $21k. She also will have a letter from employer stating that she has job security and will make the same or more this year. Will this be enough? We do have someone we could ask to joint sponsor, but we would really rather not do that.

 

Lastly, a lot of people have told us that it is very hard process and a high chance of denial. However, these are people who have never done the process and are just say they have heard this from a friend of a friend. For peace of mind, we were wondering what other people having done this process or who are doing it think, is there a high chance of denial or do we stand a good chance of getting approved?

 

Oh and also, does anyone have an idea of about how long it takes for Canadians from start to finish? Seems judging from what we have read that it can take about 6 months?

 

Thanks so much for your time,

Joshua

Edited February 6, 2018 by #countdownlife

[caliliving 606]

37 minutes ago, #countdownlife said:

Hello everyone,

My fiancé and I are starting the process for me to get the K-1 visa, she is American, and I am Canadian. We just had a couple questions about it.

 

We are following the guide on visajourney and the USCIS one, and everything seems pretty straight forward. We are about to send the first packet with the I-129 form in and we are being sure to triple check it. Is there any advice above and beyond what the visajourney guide gives that would be helpful to us, anything specific to Canada?

 

As far as income goes, my fiancé’s last years income is just above the required amount, about $21k. She also will have a letter from employer stating that she has job security and will make the same or more this year. Will this be enough? We do have someone we could ask to joint sponsor, but we would really rather not do that.

 

Lastly, a lot of people have told us that it is very hard process and a high chance of denial. However, these are people who have never done the process and are just say they have heard this from a friend of a friend. For peace of mind, we were wondering what other people having done this process or who are doing it think, is there a high chance of denial or do we stand a good chance of getting approved?

 

Oh and also, does anyone have an idea of about how long it takes for Canadians from start to finish? Seems judging from what we have read that it can take about 6 months?

 

Thanks so much for your time,

Joshua

as a born and bred canadian? your chance of denial is slim.  in fact, i have never seen one.  you need to make above the poverty line when you go for the interview if you have an updated tax form.

you do realize that when you come you need to file more paperwork and you wont be able to work for 4+ months?  it takes about a year to get a k1, same time as the CR1 which is the marriage greencard.. it is cheaper and you get a greencard and can work upon entry! i say this bc a canadian can visit during the process so the k1 really makes zero sense! especially since you can continue to work in canada AND visit AND get a greencard upon entry. also this way, you could actualy plan your wedding!!! You could actually get married in canada OR the usa (as long as you have ties and go home after). with the k1 their are so many certanties and you can not plan a wedding.

 

just something to consider and think about.  imo the K1 really serves no purpose for a canadian since it is more money and the wait time is just as long as the CR1 and you need to spend more money, file more paperwork and wait to work. 

[NikLR 13,231]

21 hours ago, #countdownlife said:

Hello everyone,

My fiancé and I are starting the process for me to get the K-1 visa, she is American, and I am Canadian. We just had a couple questions about it.

 

We are following the guide on visajourney and the USCIS one, and everything seems pretty straight forward. We are about to send the first packet with the I-129 form in and we are being sure to triple check it. Is there any advice above and beyond what the visajourney guide gives that would be helpful to us, anything specific to Canada?

 

As far as income goes, my fiancé’s last years income is just above the required amount, about $21k. She also will have a letter from employer stating that she has job security and will make the same or more this year. Will this be enough? We do have someone we could ask to joint sponsor, but we would really rather not do that.

 

Lastly, a lot of people have told us that it is very hard process and a high chance of denial. However, these are people who have never done the process and are just say they have heard this from a friend of a friend. For peace of mind, we were wondering what other people having done this process or who are doing it think, is there a high chance of denial or do we stand a good chance of getting approved?

 

Oh and also, does anyone have an idea of about how long it takes for Canadians from start to finish? Seems judging from what we have read that it can take about 6 months?

 

Thanks so much for your time,

Joshua

Canada is VERY low fraud.  Chances of denial unless you use drugs or have convictions or are from a high fraud country originally is pretty slim.  The entire K1 process takes about 8-10 months currently.

 

Have you guys looked into the CR1 process as well?  With the K1 you can't work for 3-6 months after filing for your Adjustment of status.  The process is more expensive overall as well.  With the CR1 you can work right away, and it's cheaper, but you have to be married first and it takes 12-14 months overall.  (you can collect EI with either process but a CR1 can collect EI right away and a K1 cannot until they get the EAD after they apply for their AOS.

 

Likely the poverty guidelines will go up this year so you fiancee probably does not make enough for 125%.  A co-sponsor for the K1 and joint sponsor for the AOS would be a better option.  Depending on where you are moving, it's quite possible 2 people will not do well on just her income alone, so do all the savings you can if you continue. 

(For instance in the Denver area, I could not make it on my own without my husband or a roommate.  You need to be making about $25/hr here to have a 1-2 bedroom apt but that's if they are going by the 30% of your income like they do in Alberta)

Thankfully my husband makes more than enough and I came on a CR1 so I had income almost right away and a job soon thereafter. 

Health insurance is always a sticker shock thing too. 

Edited February 7, 2018 by NikLR