Consulate Choice

[inbriars 12]

I reside in Alberta and I think we made a mistake on our I-129F but wanted to ask you guys here what your thoughts are. 

We put Montreal as our consulate because I thought I read that Vancouver no longer processes K1 visas. Looking at it again, I see it says they no longer process K3 visas.

 

Did I make a mistake, should we have put Vancouver?

If yes, is there a way to change it?

Truthfully I'm just looking at cutting down processing time where I can (but let's be real, I can't haha). I would prefer Vancouver because of the flight and I'd have a place to stay with family, but at this point I'm not going to sweat it too much.

 

Thank you for your time.

[powerpuff 6,697]

All K1s are processed in Montreal

[Mike E 11,739]

2 minutes ago, inbriars said:

I reside in Alberta and I think we made a mistake on our I-129F but wanted to ask you guys here what your thoughts are. 

We put Montreal as our consulate because I thought I read that Vancouver no longer processes K1 visas. Looking at it again, I see it says they no longer process K3 visas.

 

Did I make a mistake, should we have put Vancouver?

If yes, is there a way to change it?

Truthfully I'm just looking at cutting down processing time where I can (but let's be real, I can't haha). I would prefer Vancouver because of the flight and I'd have a place to stay with family, but at this point I'm not going to sweat it too much.

 

Thank you for your time.

I was going to say: "All K-1s happen in Montreal. "

 

But then, I read,

 

https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/

 

"K visas are issued in Canada at the U.S. Consulates General in Montreal and Vancouver. K-3 visas are no longer being processed in Canada. Please select one of the following list to find more specific information on the processing of fiancé visas in Canada:"

 

So confused, I read further:

 

"Step 2: Once the petition has been received from USCIS at the National Visa Center, you will be notified. Once the National Visa Center sends the case to U.S. Consulate General Montreal, "

 

So, a poorly written website, but yes:

 

"All K-1s happen in Montreal. "

[powerpuff 6,697]

3 minutes ago, Mike E said:

a poorly written website,

Unfortunately not the first time we’re seeing that! 

[mam521 2,060]

3 hours ago, inbriars said:

I reside in Alberta and I think we made a mistake on our I-129F but wanted to ask you guys here what your thoughts are. 

We put Montreal as our consulate because I thought I read that Vancouver no longer processes K1 visas. Looking at it again, I see it says they no longer process K3 visas.

 

Did I make a mistake, should we have put Vancouver?

If yes, is there a way to change it?

Truthfully I'm just looking at cutting down processing time where I can (but let's be real, I can't haha). I would prefer Vancouver because of the flight and I'd have a place to stay with family, but at this point I'm not going to sweat it too much.

 

Thank you for your time.

Any reason you prefer K1 over CR1?  @Crazy Cat can provide the short and sweet list of advantages/disadvantages to each.  The Montreal consulate used to be horribly backed up, but it's caught up pretty reasonably and there aren't many advantages of a K1.  My signature contains a link to a spreadsheet with the tracking for Montreal IR1/CR1 cases, if you're curious about timelines.  

[TBoneTX 45,266]

Here's the advice from Crazy Cat:

--------------------------------------

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1        
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
    In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice   
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
    

CR-1
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.

[inbriars 12]

2 hours ago, mam521 said:

Any reason you prefer K1 over CR1?

My question was regarding whether or not the consulate should have been Montreal or Vancouver, not whether or not we should go with K1 or CR1.

Thank you to those that answered, I appreciate it!

[VinnyH 59]

You should be fine. You can generally choose any consulate in the country where you reside, so it doesn't matter whether you choose Vancouver, Toronto or Montréal.

 

Not exactly the same situation as it pertains to a different type of visa, but my friend who was getting his L-1 visa processed had to wait longer to get the interview appointment at the London consulate, so he chose the Belfast consulate instead where he got an appointment much faster.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,432]

11 hours ago, inbriars said:

My question was regarding whether or not the consulate should have been Montreal or Vancouver, not whether or not we should go with K1 or CR1.

Thank you to those that answered, I appreciate it!

It's Montreal.  They are the only ones that process all family based immigration visas and process K1s.

 

Also, the consulate field in the I-129F or I-130 is meaningless.  NVC will look at the country of the current address of the beneficiary and assign the case to that country's embassy/consulate that handles K1, CR1, etc.  Typically there is only 1 consulate or embassy that handles immigration visas for that country.

 

For example, if your fiance is in school in UK and wanted to use London, NVC will assign it to Montreal if her current address is still listed as somewhere in Canada.

Edited September 20, 2022 by SteveInBostonI130

[mam521 2,060]

15 hours ago, inbriars said:

My question was regarding whether or not the consulate should have been Montreal or Vancouver, not whether or not we should go with K1 or CR1.

Thank you to those that answered, I appreciate it!

Yes, it was answered Montreal.  The reason for my question was they take similar amounts of time and clearly a K1 indicates an intent to marry, so if the relationship is legitimate, would you not prefer the easier route with less restrictions?  K1 might already be filed but many people don't have a full understanding the advantages and disadvantages to each and some, once they learn, change their minds.  

 

People here have gone through these processes and have helped others for some time.  Please be open minded that others best interests are in mind, hence the questions being asked.  

 

@VinnyH your information is not correct.  In Canada, as stated by numerous people, only Montreal processes family based immigration cases and K1 visas.