Is a K-1 visa the best option for me?

[swanndance 0]

Hello all, sorry if this is a question asked a million times a day. My girlfriend and I are thinking about our future, and that means me moving from Canada to America (Washington, specifically) to be with her. We would like to get married but I am unsure what the best way to go about it is. If I understand correctly, there is the K-1 visa and the IR-1/CR-1 visa. We want to get married either way, whether its before or after I move there. For a Canadian, which is generally the better choice? And are there any other things to take into consideration when deciding which one to do? 

 

Thanks in advance for replies. I'm really lost here, its all so complicated.

[payxibka 10,047]

4 minutes ago, swanndance said:

Hello all, sorry if this is a question asked a million times a day. My girlfriend and I are thinking about our future, and that means me moving from Canada to America (Washington, specifically) to be with her. We would like to get married but I am unsure what the best way to go about it is. If I understand correctly, there is the K-1 visa and the IR-1/CR-1 visa. We want to get married either way, whether its before or after I move there. For a Canadian, which is generally the better choice? And are there any other things to take into consideration when deciding which one to do? 

 

Thanks in advance for replies. I'm really lost here, its all so complicated.

You cannot determine what is better based on whether you are a Canadian, German, Australian or any other country.  Each has its pros and cons.  You need to research the differences and then your individual priorities will determine the best route

Edited February 21, 2018 by payxibka

[swanndance 0]

4 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You cannot determine what is better based on whether you are a Canadian, German, Australian or any other country.  Each has its pros and cons.  You need to research the differences and then your individual priorities will determine the best route

Alright. Thank you very much for the kind reply!

[JFH 12,191]

*~*~*moved from "K-1 fiancé visa" to "what visa do I need" as OP is still comparing the options*~*~*

[Mrsjackson 300]

CR1 is the least expensive and is a good choice for Canadian/American couple because you can visit each other easily while you wait. Your fiancé(e) can work straight away once they enter the US on a spousal visa (not so on a fiancé K1 visa). I am a Canadian engaged to an American and we went the K1 route because at the time it was the faster option however processing times have increased and we now wish we went the CR1 route. Less headache and less money with CR1. My advice would be get married (in either country doesn’t matter) and then whomever is in the other country return home and file your CR1 paperwork. Please note, your partner cannot stay in the US with you after marriage. They must return to Canada and you must petition for them with a spouse visa. Failure to return to Canada after getting married is a big no no with potentially dire consequences. 

[Illiria 980]

It all depends on what is the most important to you.

 

K1 to green card costs more, means you cannot work or travel immediately, but allows you to be with your intended quicker.

 

Spousal costs less overall, you can immediately travel and work after crossing over, but takes longer for you to be with your intended. 

[geowrian 22,338]

Timelines change often, but currently the process is taking ~8-11 months for a K-1 and ~12-14 months for a CR-1. The CR-1 is superior in every way as noted above and only takes a few months longer right now, so generally I would suggest looking at that. But it really comes down to what's more important.

 

Keep in mind you can visit during the process.

[swanndance 0]

Thanks everyone very much for the answers! I think the CR-1 sounds like the best option for us right now; we will further discuss the issue. Loving the friendliness of this forum by the way - I will definitely be coming back here for any questions I have during the process.

[KimchiLumpia 315]

7 hours ago, swanndance said:

Thanks everyone very much for the answers! I think the CR-1 sounds like the best option for us right now; we will further discuss the issue. Loving the friendliness of this forum by the way - I will definitely be coming back here for any questions I have during the process.

As everyone has already said, CR1 vs. K1 Visa has their pros and cons.  My fiance at the time, came over on K1 Visa from Vancouver BC.  We are now married, living together in Seattle, and are waiting for her adjustment of status.

I see you're in Washington too.  Feel free to direct message me anytime with any specific questions regarding the US/Canadian immigration process - especially if you go the K1 Visa route.  

If you haven't already, make sure to go to the "portals" tab - as it will direct you to Visa Journey's Canada section that has more specific immigration advice from Canadian/US couples.

Good luck!

 

[NikLR 13,231]

Depends on how independent you are to be honest.  Being in an LDR sucks, whether you are married or engaged that doesnt change that fact. Hubs and i missed our first two anniversaries together.  The first due to immigration and the 2nd because he had work training in another state. 

But I'm pretty independent.  I needed to be able to travel immediately for family reasons but I wanted to be able to contribute financially as well.  I moved south because my husbands job paid twice what mine did.  But within a month I had EI income coming in and working soon after.  At the time EAD took 90 days but now its 4-6 months.  So that 4-6 months without a drivers license, income, work, inability to travel, etc.  If you're a housespouse or have a new baby, maybe it is not so bad, but as someone who is used to being independent, it can be horrendous and very hard on a relationship.  

Sometimes though people just cant imagine starting a marriage not living together and that trumps anything uncomfortable.  

[NikLR 13,231]

Btw we went the CR1 route.  Originally he had planned to move North which is easier when you are married as well.  But his new job made the direction change.  

[KimchiLumpia 315]

3 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Depends on how independent you are to be honest.  Being in an LDR sucks, whether you are married or engaged that doesnt change that fact. Hubs and i missed our first two anniversaries together.  The first due to immigration and the 2nd because he had work training in another state. 

But I'm pretty independent.  I needed to be able to travel immediately for family reasons but I wanted to be able to contribute financially as well.  I moved south because my husbands job paid twice what mine did.  But within a month I had EI income coming in and working soon after.  At the time EAD took 90 days but now its 4-6 months.  So that 4-6 months without a drivers license, income, work, inability to travel, etc.  If you're a housespouse or have a new baby, maybe it is not so bad, but as someone who is used to being independent, it can be horrendous and very hard on a relationship.  

Sometimes though people just cant imagine starting a marriage not living together and that trumps anything uncomfortable.  

 My Canadian wife felt exactly the same way!  We waited 4 months for her EAD.  She's a career oriented woman, and it drove her crazy not being able to work for 4 months.  This would be one of the biggest drawbacks of the K1 Visa route.  

If I'm not mistaken, CR1 holders can work right away as soon as they arrive in the states? If so, this is a huge benefit both financially for a couple as well as mentally.  

Edited February 21, 2018 by KimchiLumpia

[Marieke H 2,522]

2 hours ago, NikLR said:

Depends on how independent you are to be honest.  Being in an LDR sucks, whether you are married or engaged that doesnt change that fact. Hubs and i missed our first two anniversaries together.  The first due to immigration and the 2nd because he had work training in another state. 

But I'm pretty independent.  I needed to be able to travel immediately for family reasons but I wanted to be able to contribute financially as well.  I moved south because my husbands job paid twice what mine did.  But within a month I had EI income coming in and working soon after.  At the time EAD took 90 days but now its 4-6 months.  So that 4-6 months without a drivers license, income, work, inability to travel, etc.  If you're a housespouse or have a new baby, maybe it is not so bad, but as someone who is used to being independent, it can be horrendous and very hard on a relationship.  

Sometimes though people just cant imagine starting a marriage not living together and that trumps anything uncomfortable.  

This is a very important point. I thought I would be able to handle the wait for my EAD, and we just wanted to be together as soon as possible. But my EAD took 6 months, and I was so miserable. Yes, it was great to be with my husband. But it also felt like I didn't really get a chance to start a new life here. No job, no license, nothing to do, no social network. It made my world very small, and caused me to be very homesick. It's amazing how much better I felt as soon as I started working.

[TBoneTX 45,850]

A hijack post + reply have been split into a new thread, with title "Older Couple, Canadian Beneficiary  [split topic]."