Hi I'm new - Just wanted to say hello

[SapphireDreams 71]

Hey everyone, I'm really glad I came across this message board, because this whole visa thing has been stressing me out!

Right now, my bf and I have been dating for 4 years long distance, we met online 9 years ago when we were 15, met in person when we were 19 and have been dating every since. We are still not quite ready to be married, and will continue to date long distance for a bit. We are hoping to start the visa process next sping/summer. I live in Toronto and he lives in NYC.

After reading some of the guides and the boards, I'm thinking that we will go for the K1. I just have a few questions that I can't find the answer to... do we need a lawyer? I was under the impression that it was necessary before coming here, and now I'm thinking that we can probably do this on our own?

Is there is a place or site where I can find how much everything costs? We are ready to spend lots of money on this, but would love to get an estimate.

Why doesn't the Toronto consulate do interviews? I'm kinda annoyed that I have to go to either Montreal or Vancouver! Also, do we choose which office we go to, or is that automatic?

One last thing - we have been telling the customs officers that we met 'through a frend' instead of that me met online. Will we have issues now if we say we met online? At the time, I just didn't want to say we met online ( we found it slightly embaressing) and now I don't care too much? Hmm what should we do??

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to learning more!

[trailmix 77]

Hi and Welcome!

For the lawyer, that's really up to how comfortable you are with the whole thing. Most people on these boards didn't use a lawyer. If you are fairly good with details and filling forms out and getting money orders - shouldn't be a problem to do it on your own. Any questions, feel free to post them and you will get the answers you need.

With K3 you have the initial fees and then you have to adjust your status once you get married, after you are in the States. We aren't doing a K visa but I'm sure someone will be along to answer your fees question.

You will have to interview in Montreal.

As for the met online thing - not an issue at all, very common now.

Since you have a lot of time before you are going to file you have plenty of time to read the guides etc. Also just something to keep in mind now - keep all your boarding passes etc from visits, keep your phone bills, take photos when you meet up etc etc - for proof of your relationship.

Edited November 4, 2007 by trailmix

[MissStacey 1]

Many of us on here didn't use a Lawyer- most of us found VJ more helpful than any attorney

As long as your case is straightforward and you have no major issues like a criminal record, etc, I think you will be just fine without.

[Delicia 1]

Welcome!

And yes, it is quite the bummer that the Toronto Consulate doesn't handle these immigration processes. My husband lives in Toronto and he has to work through the Montreal Consulate as well.

[BH45 0]

Welcome Dreams. This is a great site. A friend of mine told me about VJ. I am so grateful that she did...we have found answers to questions and it's a great place to just vent some of the frustrations.

As Trail said, ask and you will receive answers. Not necessarily from me but from the wise ones....Trail, Liz, Flames, Nini to mention a few.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm actually really glad that we wont have to use a lawyer, that will save loads I think. I think we are both pretty good with detail and don't have any criminal records or anything!

Oh and yes thanks for bringing up the information about saving boarding passes! We visit eachother every other month or so and I haven't really been keeping my boarding passes, but now I will for sure. We do have quite a few pictures together from vacations and visits, so that will be helpful.

Should we save emails and cards from birthdays and stuff? I have a whole bunch of stuff from the beginning part of our relationship, but for the most part now we just talk on the phone. I do have lots of phone bills to prove it!!

So, from my initial research, what I'm thinking is that the whole process will take between 8-10 months??

That actually doesn't seem as long as I originally thought.

[Delicia 1]

Not sure about your time guesstimate, I am counting on more like 1 year, but we are processing for an IR-1 (we have been married for 2 years already) and I know the longest delay in the process is usually waiting for an interview slot in Montreal.

[PfcsBaby 0]

Hey everyone, I'm really glad I came across this message board, because this whole visa thing has been stressing me out!

Right now, my bf and I have been dating for 4 years long distance, we met online 9 years ago when we were 15, met in person when we were 19 and have been dating every since. We are still not quite ready to be married, and will continue to date long distance for a bit. We are hoping to start the visa process next sping/summer. I live in Toronto and he lives in NYC.

After reading some of the guides and the boards, I'm thinking that we will go for the K1. I just have a few questions that I can't find the answer to... do we need a lawyer? I was under the impression that it was necessary before coming here, and now I'm thinking that we can probably do this on our own?

Is there is a place or site where I can find how much everything costs? We are ready to spend lots of money on this, but would love to get an estimate.

Why doesn't the Toronto consulate do interviews? I'm kinda annoyed that I have to go to either Montreal or Vancouver! Also, do we choose which office we go to, or is that automatic?

One last thing - we have been telling the customs officers that we met 'through a frend' instead of that me met online. Will we have issues now if we say we met online? At the time, I just didn't want to say we met online ( we found it slightly embaressing) and now I don't care too much? Hmm what should we do??

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to learning more!

Hi and welcome to VJ!

Here you'll find pretty much all the answers to any questions you have. Most people dont get a lawyer to go through the visa process. I myself didnt get a lawyer. I met my fiancee online, just like most have here on VJ, so dont ever feel embarassed. You'll have some customs officers at the border question your meeting online, but not all do. At the consulate for your interview, I believe close to 90% of the people have met online. I dont know how much it'll cost for a lawyer, but from what I've read on here, most lawyers dont know the whole process and your better off just asking questions here. I also live in Toronto and am very annoyed that the consulate here doesnt do the interviews, but you will have your interview in Montreal. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask us here.

Mary

[Zee Bee 61]

Welcome to VJ and good luck on your journey!!!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hi there!

On the topic of how you met - go ahead and tell them how you met, it's common place to meet online these days. My fiance and I met playing World of Warcraft! He was the cutest gnome I'd ever met

I told them the same thing in the interview too

[SapphireDreams 71]

Thanks everyone! I'm ready to tell them how we really met, but we've been telling customs for 4 years now that we "met through a friend" - So, should I keep going with that? or change it to "we met online" now? I'm not concerned about the "we met online" part - I'm more concerned that we haven't been saying that all along....

[PfcsBaby 0]

Thanks everyone! I'm ready to tell them how we really met, but we've been telling customs for 4 years now that we "met through a friend" - So, should I keep going with that? or change it to "we met online" now? I'm not concerned about the "we met online" part - I'm more concerned that we haven't been saying that all along....

It won't be a problem. I don't know how you see eachother, whether you fly or drive, but I've always flown down to Georgia. I sometimes said my boyfriend and sometime said my fiancee. Theres been a few customs officers who thought they could use their authority against me and took me for secondary questioning. I answered all their questions truthfully and let them know we met online. Only one time I had a customs officer joke around with me about it all. Theres not many like that, but as I said, just be yourself.

Mary

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Just wanted to join in and say welcome Sapphire!!!

Like you, I also met my sweetheart online, on a video game actually. I'm from Brantford, Ontario and he's from New Jersey.

I think you can just be honest and say you met online when you file your application.

Nick and I have chosen the K1 because we don't want to be apart the first 6 months to a year of our married life, it's just a personal choice. Do what's best for you and your guy. At first when I came to VJ, Nick and I had decided to get a lawyer but after seeing the boards here and the K1 Guide and K1 Flowchart and not to mention the encouragement of the helpful members here, I knew we could do it together without the assistance of a lawyer and save ourselves $1800 bucks!!!

These boards are fantastic for asking any question you need answering.

The initial cost for your New Yorker to file the I-129F petition is currently $455.00. Later on down the road you'll have your medical which I believe is somewhere in the range of $100.00. The doctor closest to you would be in Toronto (which is great for you!!!). I'm an hour from there so I'll be taking that ride. The visa fee at the actual interview in Montreal is $100.00. Nick is planning on coming with me when I go...we are going to make a trip out of it! Then there's travel costs in between, costs of photocopying for the initial package and other things. Then the cost of moving which can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Then when you enter the states and you get married you apply for your AOS (Adjustment of Status), EAD(Employment Authorization Document which enables you to work) and AP (Advanced Parole) which allows you to travel back to Canada before you have your Green card, that all costs $1010.00

There will be other costs along the way I'm sure.

I would definitely save some of your boarding passes and of course he will have stamps in his passport which prove he came to Canada to visit you . Pictures of the two of you together are great. B) Hotel receipts, car rentals, etc. All you need to prove in the initial petition is that you have met at least once in the last 2 years. So don't worry about proof from before that time when you file.

Save emails, cards and letters for the actual interview to show an ongoing relationship since you initially filed.

Meeting online is a very popular way of meeting the love of your life nowadays...everyone is doing it!

Best of luck with your journey and congratulations...this will be a very exciting time!!!

Hugs

Laura

Edited November 5, 2007 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Carlawarla 1]

Hello Sapphire Dreams. Can't really add anything to what everyone has already said so I'll just give you a HUGE welcome to VJ and the Canadian forum. Best of luck for a speedy visa journey!

Carla

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

oh and I forgot your police check...If you don't have a record, which you stated that you didn't, you would just go to your local police station and ask for one (must be Canada wide) Mine charges like $25 bucks and only takes a few days to a week to get. The police checks are good for a year so wait until you file or later to get this Edited November 5, 2007 by ~Laura and Nick~