Help me to persuade my boyfriend to switch to CR! pls

[Crazy Cat 41,850]

1 minute ago, MRJ9987 said:

Thanks!  

 

Now, I just need to figure out how to get married, withdraw K-! application, and then submit CR-1.  

Make sure you have been physically together either during or after the marriage ceremony BEFORE filing the I-130 to start the CR-1 process.

Edited April 4, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[MRJ9987 31]

10 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Make sure you have been physically together either during or after the marriage ceremony BEFORE filing the I-130 to start the CR-1 process.

Thanks for the tip.  In that case, it's probably better to get married next time he comes up to Canada (it's his turn to visit me).  

[Crazy Cat 41,850]

Just now, MRJ9987 said:

Thanks for the tip.  In that case, it's probably better to get married next time he comes up to Canada (it's his turn to visit me).  

Yep.  USCIS specifically says they will not recognize the marriage until you have been together.   The only advantage would be that USCIS will recognize the date on the marriage certificate.  

[Mike E 11,739]

4 hours ago, MRJ9987 said:

Thanks for the tip.  In that case, it's probably better to get married next time he comes up to Canada (it's his turn to visit me).  

I vehemently disagree.  
 

The sooner you marry the sooner the 2 year clock starts.  Use the time  between now and when you meet to burn that clock.  The best way to best the I-751 is to burn that clock. 
 

You do have to meet between getting married online and filing I-130. But the 2 year clock starts when you get married. 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

The only advantage would be that USCIS will recognize the date on the marriage certificate.  

And that’s a huge advantage.  

[Crazy Cat 41,850]

11 minutes ago, Mike E said:

And that’s a huge advantage.  

Exactly.  Huge....Believe me, the I-751 can be a big, big thorn in the rear!!!

Edited April 4, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[mam521 2,062]

On 4/3/2022 at 1:20 PM, MRJ9987 said:

Thanks for sharing your experience! I see how K-1 is a more appropriate option for the two of us.  

 

We have discussed options.  I am okay with not working while waiting for papers and he doesn't mind supporting us (we want to start trying for kids, so it would work out perfect if I was at home).  The only thing that would suck was if I couldn't drive but it seems like New York would allow me to keep my licence while waiting for papers.  

Being stuck in NY with a newborn and no way to get to doctor's appointments or out to be social is REALLY tough.  The old adage of "it takes a village" is true.  You'll need a support network.  Many times, people meet others through work and if you head south on a K1 and can't work, you've made creating a network instrumentally more challenging.  

 

Food for thought.  If you do get pregnant while you're still in Canada, you can claim maternity benefits in Canada for that year to 18 months, whichever you choose. If your visa and the CRBA are approved, you can take those benefits with you across the border.  Delivering in Canada is also significantly cheaper and you'll likely have more family support than if you were in the US.  If the baby is born in Canada, that child can pass Canadian citizenship onto his/her child(ren) in future.  

 

Everyone wants everything fast.  But, you have to create a strong foundation.  I'd honestly get married, move, live together for a little bit and then worry about kiddos.  Marriage is supposed to last a lifetime.  The only way that happens is to really be foundationally rooted in with each other.  Long distance relationships aren't the same as being a married couple living under one roof.  Once you're great together under that roof, add the element of kiddos.  Fools rush in - I know because we were fools that rushed in and had our baby too soon.  We're not together anymore.  We didn't create that strong foundation by putting us first.  And, immigration will test the strength of your relationship.  You'll need downtime to heal from the PTSD created by the process, CR1 or K1 (I'm half kidding, half not!).

[MRJ9987 31]

On 4/4/2022 at 1:49 PM, mam521 said:

Food for thought.  If you do get pregnant while you're still in Canada, you can claim maternity benefits in Canada for that year to 18 months, whichever you choose. If your visa and the CRBA are approved, you can take those benefits with you across the border.  Delivering in Canada is also significantly cheaper and you'll likely have more family support than if you were in the US.  If the baby is born in Canada, that child can pass Canadian citizenship onto his/her child(ren) in future.  

I am very shocked to hear that because I would have thought it would have been something for them to discontinue right away.  

[MRJ9987 31]

On 4/4/2022 at 12:54 PM, Mike E said:

I vehemently disagree.  
 

The sooner you marry the sooner the 2 year clock starts.  Use the time  between now and when you meet to burn that clock.  The best way to best the I-751 is to burn that clock. 
 

You do have to meet between getting married online and filing I-130. But the 2 year clock starts when you get married. 

 

 

 

And that’s a huge advantage.  

Noted.  

 

It won't matter that we are not in the same country while we are getting married online?  And it is recognized just as in in person marriage?  

[Mike E 11,739]

1 hour ago, MRJ9987 said:

Noted.  

 

It won't matter that we are not in the same country while we are getting married online?

no.  It has been successfully used by several VJ members.  
 

1 hour ago, MRJ9987 said:

 

And it is recognized just as in in person marriage?  

After  you meet in person, yes.  

[mam521 2,062]

17 hours ago, MRJ9987 said:

I am very shocked to hear that because I would have thought it would have been something for them to discontinue right away.  

Nope.  My friend claimed them while living in Holland.  You can claim EI for a certain amount of time too.  There's a thread about it on the Canadian forum.