Married 12 years, US Citizen living in Canada (ready to return) Advice needed

[TNJ17 1,329]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

All K-1 and immigrant visas are processed through Montreal, so that's where the interview will be.

 

No (barring exceptional circumstances, which applies to any consulate).

She’s already married. She can’t apply for K1. 

[TNJ17 1,329]

1 hour ago, Rachela said:

 

Thank you for clarifying that for me.  Does the I-130 process take 12-15 months and the affidavit of support comes after that and takes additional processing time?

We're trying to hedge our bets so that we're not paying to maintain two households (we share a car, currently), so I wouldn't want to return until I had to. Would our savings be enough to show my ability to support us?

I suggest you do a lot of reading directly from USCIS to see all the requirements. I wouldn’t go the savings route because then you need to be at 3x the poverty line. Go on USCIS website and search for spousal visa (IR-1) and read all you can about it. There’s a lot of details you need to know and it’s better that you get information directly from the source. Then whatever you don’t understand you come back and ask cause someone will know the answer. 

[Rachela 1]

11 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

I suggest you do a lot of reading directly from USCIS to see all the requirements. I wouldn’t go the savings route because then you need to be at 3x the poverty line. Go on USCIS website and search for spousal visa (IR-1) and read all you can about it. There’s a lot of details you need to know and it’s better that you get information directly from the source. Then whatever you don’t understand you come back and ask cause someone will know the answer. 

 

Thank you. I just find the source to sometimes be misleading. From what I read, the initial application could be completed as quickly as 3 months. Which is why forums such as these are invaluable. 

[geowrian 22,338]

22 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

She’s already married. She can’t apply for K1. 

Correct. The statement covered any visa handled by the immigrant visa unit for completeness.

6 minutes ago, Rachela said:

Thank you. I just find the source to sometimes be misleading. From what I read, the initial application could be completed as quickly as 3 months. Which is why forums such as these are invaluable. 

You may have been reading old material? Canada used to have DCF, and ~2-3 months was about right.

[TNJ17 1,329]

7 hours ago, Rachela said:

 

Thank you. I just find the source to sometimes be misleading. From what I read, the initial application could be completed as quickly as 3 months. Which is why forums such as these are invaluable. 

Unfortunately USCIS has way too many applications to process and it’s not taking 3 months. More like 10 months is what people seem to be reporting. It’s a very long wait but if you go in knowing that and expecting it to take longer you don’t lose your mind entirely. 

[Mary Moore 3]

We’re in the same situation: married, living in Canada for 17 years. I moved back to the States to work and declare domicile. We filed I130 last July, and are now waiting for interview appointment in Montreal. From start to finish, expect 15 months minimum.

[Rachela 1]

21 minutes ago, Mary Moore said:

We’re in the same situation: married, living in Canada for 17 years. I moved back to the States to work and declare domicile. We filed I130 last July, and are now waiting for interview appointment in Montreal. From start to finish, expect 15 months minimum.

 

I'm very sorry to hear that.