K3 or K1?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I work with a girl from Sherwood Park Stacey! Where are you moving to in the States?

I wish that a temporary work permit was feasible Cherry, but as far as I've read, without an actual offer from an employer and sponsorship, it's nearly impossible to get one. I'm not college educated and don't have any special skills that would have employers wanting to sponsor me to go work for them. ~sighs~ It would be wonderful if it worked that way though, cause as I understand it, if I was down there on a work permit I could marry him and then just adjust status! At least we'd be together!

Actually for a TN-1, you would only need the offer letter (but it has to be written correctly--stating position-title, duties, salary, and benefits with a maximum term of 1 year) and US$ 50, which you would need to present to the officer at POE/PFI; however, you must not give the officer any impression that you have immigrant intent.

List of TN-1 eligible positions.

TN-1's can be renewed by mail from inside the US (once you're inside), and you also can get married and do AOS on it. Thread on marriage to USC and AOS from TN-1

[MissStacey 1]

Hmm... There's not an option as to which consulate huh? I mean, it doesn't make a difference that I'm here on the Western side of Canada as opposed to all the way over on the East? I would think that would have some bearing on how they direct the applications. Wouldn't that make sense?

Congrats bowflex! That's awesome that your wife is down there with you! I'm excited for the day when I can say that I'm down with my sweetie too!

If you are doing a K Visa, and because you live in Alberta- your file will be sent to Vancouver.

Montreal is the only Consulate that handles the CR1, you wouldn't have a choice on that.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If you are doing a K Visa, and because you live in Alberta- your file will be sent to Vancouver.

Montreal is the only Consulate that handles the CR1, you wouldn't have a choice on that.

Sadly you cannot do a CR-1 as a fiancee, that's for spouses only I am quite sure. It would have to be a K-1.

We're in old Strathcona near Whyte.... keep telling Stacey we need to get together and B1tch about the whole shebang and she keeps putting me on hold..... she's picking up the bad ways of the Consulate and will leave without saying goodbye

Cheerio's, Len.

p.s. Here's hoping to sending Stacey on a guilt trip so we can finally get together!!!

Edited June 7, 2007 by Len_and_Bren

[MissStacey 1]

If you are doing a K Visa, and because you live in Alberta- your file will be sent to Vancouver.

Montreal is the only Consulate that handles the CR1, you wouldn't have a choice on that.

Sadly you cannot do a CR-1 as a fiancee, that's for spouses only I am quite sure. It would have to be a K-1.

We're in old Strathcona near Whyte.... keep telling Stacey we need to get together and B1tch about the whole shebang and she keeps putting me on hold..... she's picking up the bad ways of the Consulate and will leave without saying goodbye

Cheerio's, Len.

p.s. Here's hoping to sending Stacey on a guilt trip so we can finally get together!!!

Baby, I am unemployed and have time before I leave on Tuesday!

[TheATeam 0]

The problem with the work visa Cherry is that I'd need to get an offer of employment. I don't have any special skills that would warrant that unfortunately and sadly. ~sighs~

Well then Stacey, I suppose I'll go for the K1 visa then, it sounds like it will be quicker which is what we need at this point. Money worries will come later!

Hey Len! I work on Whyte Ave at a registry office right off of 108 Street! It sure is nice to know that there are other people out there, close by, going through the journey that we're just starting on!

Thank you all so much for your advice and support!

Edited June 7, 2007 by TheATeam

[lynamon 0]

Just out of curiosity .. do you have any children that you intend to take with you?

[TheATeam 0]

No, thank goodness! That would make it SO much harder! I'm definitely grateful for not having to cross that little hurdle!

[lynamon 0]

Just a point to make .. with a K3 you can travel back to Canada if your homesick .. with a K1 you have to wait for advance parole which can take 3 months before you can leave the county

[Saddle Bronc 124]

The problem with the work visa Cherry is that I'd need to get an offer of employment. I don't have any special skills that would warrant that unfortunately and sadly. ~sighs~

Again, mistaken (theoretically); if your skillset fits a TN-1 position, you can search US jobsites and send in resumes. Admittedly, Idaho is not exactly a state with large numbers of TN-1 jobs.

I got a TN-1 job almost straight out (actually, it was 8 months later) of grad school.

Also, to add to lynamon's point: the EAD will take about the same amount of time to get as the AP--and (for practical purposes), you will not be able to work until you have it in hand. You can try to get the 90-day EAD at a land POE (such as Sweetgrass or Peigan), or ask at the PFI of Calgary or Edmonton airports (basically a "nothing to lose" advice--it's generally accepted that only the airport POE @ JFK issues the 90-day EAD, but this is out of reach of the vast bulk of Canadians due to the extreme expense and inconvenience of trying to arrange flights so as to avoid all 8 PFI's and clear customs/immigration @ JFK).

[TheATeam 0]

Cherry, the thing is that I don't have the skillsets for any of the TN-1 jobs. I haven't graduated college or university, which unfortunately puts that avenue out of my reach. I'm not really all that concerned about working really. We've talked about it and we know that it will probably take upwards of 3 months for me to get an EAD and that's okay with him. If going the K1 route will get me to him faster, that's the one we'll take.

I'd like to say that I won't have a problem with not leaving the country until my AOS is finished but that's probably a fib. It will be hard not to see my family, but if I really need to there is always the AP, even though I understand that takes quite awhile too.

I guess what it really is, is that I'm an impatient person. I want to be able to go spend the rest of my life with him as soon as absolutely possible. I guess that tends to cloud the rest of my judgement!

[Lance27 19]

Either route K1/K3 will take you about 10-11 months. You can always visit each other every now and then which will make things easier. We are luckier than most others in that we live just accross the border and it isn't as expensive as taking a transatlantic flight to say Europe or Asia/Africa or going to Australia for instance

I should add that there is a small possiblility of being refused entry into the US while you have a pending application (immigrant intent) but if you have enough proof of ties to Canada you should not have too much of a problem. Again it all depends on the CBP officer you get.

Cherry, the thing is that I don't have the skillsets for any of the TN-1 jobs. I haven't graduated college or university, which unfortunately puts that avenue out of my reach. I'm not really all that concerned about working really. We've talked about it and we know that it will probably take upwards of 3 months for me to get an EAD and that's okay with him. If going the K1 route will get me to him faster, that's the one we'll take.

I'd like to say that I won't have a problem with not leaving the country until my AOS is finished but that's probably a fib. It will be hard not to see my family, but if I really need to there is always the AP, even though I understand that takes quite awhile too.

I guess what it really is, is that I'm an impatient person. I want to be able to go spend the rest of my life with him as soon as absolutely possible. I guess that tends to cloud the rest of my judgement!

Edited June 8, 2007 by Lance27

[misa 2]

Their K1 or K3 will take a lot less than 10 months if they are going through Vancouver.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Cherry, the thing is that I don't have the skillsets for any of the TN-1 jobs. I haven't graduated college or university, which unfortunately puts that avenue out of my reach. I'm not really all that concerned about working really. We've talked about it and we know that it will probably take upwards of 3 months for me to get an EAD and that's okay with him. If going the K1 route will get me to him faster, that's the one we'll take.

Thanks for clarifying.

I'd like to say that I won't have a problem with not leaving the country until my AOS is finished but that's probably a fib. It will be hard not to see my family, but if I really need to there is always the AP, even though I understand that takes quite awhile too.

You missed another, very obvious option--your family can visit you[/i] in Idaho, as Canadians don't have to go through the hassles of visa apps to visit US; one of my neighbours in Calgary (Dalhousie Area) may be glad to have them as company (or extra drivers), as she has property in ID which she oft visits.

I guess what it really is, is that I'm an impatient person. I want to be able to go spend the rest of my life with him as soon as absolutely possible. I guess that tends to cloud the rest of my judgement!

Ah, that explains why you missed the option of your family visiting you while you wait for AP.

[MissStacey 1]

Their K1 or K3 will take a lot less than 10 months if they are going through Vancouver.

I'll put down a bet for 6 months. I'll even be a little cocky and say 5.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'll venture K-1 could be done in 6 months with an RFE, 4 months without.