Hello All,

I've been reading many posts and have seen this site to be very helpful. Unfortunately I haven't found answers to a few of my questions so I figured I’d ask.

First, my name is Jason and I am currently engaged to Faye. I am an American citizen from Kansas and she is a Canadian citizen from Calgary. We met nearly one-and-a-half years ago while i was on an assignment in Calgary. We started dating...I was given a position in Calgary for 1 year...fell in love…got engaged...now my position is about to end (end of Sept).

Our plan is to move to the states and as such we are worried about the legal implications there in. This is where you come in. We see ourselves in two different scenarios and just want some advice on which you think is best or some guidance on if we are off base in our thinking.

Scenario 1 is that we apply for a K1 visa and get it around Nov\Dec then get married in March to meet the 3-month requirement. Then do a change of status (to a CR1) in March after the wedding. This does a few things for us. This gives us a little time to plan a well-deserved wedding for Faye however means we would be apart from now till then. Or can she come live while it is pending? If she maintains residence in Canada.

Scenario 2 is that we go to the justice of peace and get hitched…then apply for the CR1, which we hear only takes 2 months. Then have a ceremony later (like in September). We like this option a lot cause it gives her family a chance to come to a KC Chiefs game during the wedding. Also, gives us time to really plan a nice wedding…

The next questions come about work…being able to work in the US while this is all going on. Really, when she could start working. At which step. Then I’m curious also about obtaining a legal working permit in Canada due to an upswing in Alberta.

I’m curious to other thoughts here or any advice you may have for us…

S1 – k1 to CR1
S2 – Wed to CR1

Thanks,
Jason

PS, sorry for the long post!
Thanks,
Jason

Welcome to Visa Journey

You might want to check this first, as well the Guides and FAQs found up top in the blue tabs. You seem to have some mis-information about time-frames and steps in the process. Those should get you started clearing it all up.

I dont know where you got your time estimates, but I would love to have my K1 prcessed that quickly!

Anyway two options you indicated will take much longer than you think, there are many people waiting for their K1's to move from USCIS to NVS since march and before.

Since you are still in Canada you may try DCF or K3, get married there in Canada.

Explore DCF with the Consulates there, if that wont work then consider K3. You will still be separated for some time.

One other option, since US/CAN is fairly open border, she could "Visit" you while waiting for the K3 to compleat.

Plan 1 also works as long as you understand that the time for the visa is longer that you think.

You have a ideal situation US/Can border is easy to cross for US and Canadian citizens, so I would apply for the K1 visa. And have her "Visit" maintaining residence in Canada while waiting out the process.

I am familiar with the border since I live within 60 miles from Canada and travel there quite often and have family in Canada, visiting is easy.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reality check guys! I'll review the DCF option this week and let you know what i find...from the looks of it, it is much more appealing than any other option!

Thanks,
Jason