wuwei

Ditto what everyone said - just don't overstay that visa or you'll be in deep shite.

Also, my humble opinion (OK not humble he he) is don't apply for a K-3. Considering the timelines, go for the CR-1!!!

Welcome to insanity.... I mean, VJ!!!!!

Yes, I truly understand the overstaying bit. I've been down on a TN in the past - and I was very careful not to overstay. I appreciate everyone's comments and the advice on skipping the K-3 and going to the CR-1. I'll need to do some more research there.

If I were to attempt the scenario above, what would you recommend I do prior to leaving Canada - in terms of paperwork prep? For example, should I make sure that I have the police check sorted? I get the impression that I have to go into the police station, be fingerprinted, and pay money to have them send me my record? It seems that I should do this before I go to the US for 6 months, given the obvious difficulty of trying to mail my fingerprints.

Anything else that I would need for the interview in MTL that is more easily procured in person before I leave?

Thanks to all of you regular posters – I have found some very interesting information and advice. This is my first post.

I am wondering what the pitfalls are for attempting to wait out as much of the I-130 processing time as possible in the US with my SO.

We are not yet married, but I was wondering if it would be okay for me to go down (from Canada) on a tourist visa, get married and then file only the I-130, not the AOS. I was thinking about a scenario like this:

1. I go down on a tourist visa, which gives me 180 days – understanding the initial risk of being turned down at the border.

2. Get married right away.

3. File the I-130 petition right after the wedding.

4. Wait it out in the US with my SO. (I am currently living with a roommate and could have her courier any information or packages sent to my home address in Canada.)

5. When it came time to either return home due to expiring tourist visa or attend the medical and the interview, I could go home at that point (with the understanding that I can’t come back without the K-3).

Has anyone else done this? Any INS rules that I would be violating? Provided, of course, I don't work or anything like that. It seems like I could spend the ~150 days from filing to B-visa expiry or interview better with my SO, rather than alone.

I appreciate your comments.