Getting married before moving easier or harder?

[CanadianBettina 0]

My fiancee and I are brand new to the process.  Have heard conflicting info.  Is it really easier and more inexpensive to get married and live separately during the initial process (me in Canada him in US) than to go through the K1 process? I'd like to continue working in Canada as I have a decent job and have a house to sell here.  Any suggestions what the best route would be?  

Edited February 20, 2018 by CanadianBettina
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[baconmunch 16]

Yes. If it is an option to go through the spousal visa, the typical approval process takes longer than the K1, however upon approval you would have your green card and work authorization in hand.

 

In my case we went through K1 visa because we didn't want to live separately, but are now required to wait for green card and work authorization as we adjust status - a second application process.

[Illiria 980]

Go for spousal visa, as you seem to not want to be stuck in the us after the wedding without being able to go back to Canada until the advance parole is granted 3 to 4 months after applying. Also it is cheaper in the long run. 

 

It it does take longer to get but you are a permanent resident from the moment you cross the border with the visa in hand. 

 

Your canadian job, you can commute daily to it from the us?

Edited February 20, 2018 by Illiria

[Michael C 0]

Hi. I'm in the same situation. I'm in Florida, and my fiance lives in Peru. We've decided to go with the spousal visa (Ir-1/Cr-1), but are still open to suggestions. I'm flying to Peru in May, and we plan to marry then

[TNJ17 1,329]

CR1 is a better option for you. You come from a country where you can pretty much come and go as you please. It will be cheaper but a slower process. But once you have visa in hand you will be able to move and work the very next day if you choose. You’ll be able to travel internationally as soon as you land. K1 is only better for couples who don’t have an option on visiting much or to people who are in a hurry to get to the US. With CR1 you will have your green card at POE. 

[ms_bobdog 501]

Agree to go the spousal visa route. Like you, I make decent money in my home country so I didn't want to get stuck in the US with no job while waiting to become a LPR. The separation is tough, but you aren't that far so it should be fine. In my case, we see each other only every 6 months. I don't know how we did it, but I finally see some light at the end of the long tunnel! Good luck!

[Crazy Cat 42,033]

Actually, K-1 is much, much slower from filing to Green card in hand.  It is also usually slower from filing to work authorization.  Cr-1 is less expensive, and it does not require the AOS process, delay in traveling outside the country, or delay in working.  Some people also have other problems associated with their "status" between K-1 entry and Green card in hand.

 

The CR-1 is superior to the K-1 in every way, imo.  I see many K-1 posters who later say "I wish we had done the CR-1".  I don't recall a single person say they should have done a K-1 instead.....

[pushbrk 13,043]

Your own priorities will determine which is the best course for you.  

[CanadianBettina 0]

2 hours ago, Illiria said:

Go for spousal visa, as you seem to not want to be stuck in the us after the wedding without being able to go back to Canada until the advance parole is granted 3 to 4 months after applying. Also it is cheaper in the long run. 

 

It it does take longer to get but you are a permanent resident from the moment you cross the border with the visa in hand. 

 

Your canadian job, you can commute daily to it from the us?

Thank you so much everyone!  This is so informative.  Yes I live in a border town so the full commute is about half an hour, including customs (thankfully I have Nexus so it's a rather quick process).

Edited February 21, 2018 by CanadianBettina
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[Ryan H 3,819]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum.

[Illiria 980]

1 hour ago, CanadianBettina said:

Thank you so much everyone!  This is so informative.  Yes I live in a border town so the full commute is about half an hour, including customs (thankfully I have Nexus so it's a rather quick process).

Brilliant then spousal visa would be best, know of a bunch of actors who did this living in US but film in Vancouver until they had citizenship. It won’t break your continuous residence to go over each day either as you aren’t away overnight. 

[JFH 12,191]

Note that when people say the K-1 is "quicker", they are only referring to the time from filing to being able to move. When looking at the process as a complete package, the K-1 is slower to residency and citizenship (if that is on your radar). Also, note that the time difference is as little as a few months. In the grand scheme of things, with the rest of your lives ahead of you, a few months is nothing. Especially when you consider the trade-off - not being able to work or travel overseas for many months. 

[mickhoz 0]

The K-1 spousal visa is not harder visa you can afford it very simply by fulfill immigration guidelines. My friend also gets a K-1 spousal visa but he get the help from a immigration firm in Houston,TX.

[CanadianBettina 0]

On 2/20/2018 at 8:38 PM, Illiria said:

Brilliant then spousal visa would be best, know of a bunch of actors who did this living in US but film in Vancouver until they had citizenship. It won’t break your continuous residence to go over each day either as you aren’t away overnight. 

We do spend nights with each other, back and forth periodically between countries.  Will this be affect the C1?  

[Illiria 980]

2 hours ago, CanadianBettina said:

We do spend nights with each other, back and forth periodically between countries.  Will this be affect the C1?  

No but if doing this too many nights in the us they might see it as living in the us and just traveling to Canada for work