What are our US Visa options?

[Chancy 6,241]

13 hours ago, dottiesmom said:

OP, why not just have him work a double shift or similar in Canada, sock away a few thousand in savings and then visit the US for 6 months?

 

6-month visits are generally not recommended.  Entry to the US on B2 status is always at the discretion of CBP.  CBP often ask about the ties that compel the visitor to return to their home country (for example, a stable job).  Being able to vacation in the US for 6 months may lead CBP to suspect that the visitor has no strong ties to their country.  If OP's boyfriend wants to attempt a long vacation, he must be ready with proof of strong ties to Canada to minimize the risk of being turned away at the airport.

 

[Mica Rausch 1]

Hi!!! 
 

I completely understand where you are coming from. I was very naive going into this situation as well. 
 

I met my husband 6 years before we started dating. He lives in Mexico City. When we started, I didn’t understand the process at all either. I asked him to get a tourist visa to visit me, because I felt the same, ‘we needed the quality time together before rushing an engagement or marriage.’ I wanted the traditional approach to a relationship as well. My friend that introduced us kept telling me to marry him. It’s the only way! It took me awhile to understand that. 
 

I talked to lawyers, friends from other countries, etc. They all said get the CR1 visa. I also tried to look into a work visa since my dad and step dad own their own business. I will tell you it’s more complicated than it seems. 
 

My only advice to you is to keep visiting as much as possible. You need to know that it’s real because it’s a long and hard process. I traveled to Mexico 5 times before we decided to get married. My family is old fashioned as well. They didn’t get to meet my husband before we got married but they all came to the wedding and supported us completely. 
 

I can only tell you that the quality time will still happen while going through the process. I started the same way, thinking we needed to be together 6 months to a year before marrying, however, we worked it out and we are still getting the quality time and experience with each other even when we spend months apart. 
 

Someone told you that the CR1 visa is the best option and I will agree with them. 

[ProbeGT 47]

It is honestly easier for you to get PR in Canada on your own

You could do that, live in Canada for some time, and then decide what you want to do next.

Besides that, if he has qualifications, a TN visa would probably be the easiest visa to allow a Canadian to work in the US (or an American work in Canada)