Overwhelmed about moving to USA

[HisBaby 0]

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Do you qualify for a TN visa?

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

[zhenia and brent 0]

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

http://www.brankeysmithpc.com/ Check out my attorney's site. Contact Lisa or Ed. The cost will be around $1500.00 to 1800.00. Or, spend your time in VJ. There are many many people here who can help. There are all the resources right here on this site, and you will not need an attorney. I chose the attorney route because I work a lot and have little time to take care of the so very important details and research that is necessary. Either way, just make sure that your "i's" are dotted and "t's" are crossed. Everything will be fine.

Edited September 1, 2008 by zhenia and brent

[chuckb 0]

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

From what you say, you have several options available.

If you visit him here, fall madly in love and get married. You might be able to do an I-130 and an I-485 concurrently for a CR-1 visa. That would allow you to stay while the papers are processed. The problem is that it could be considered fraudulent. That wouldn't be a good thing, but some people do it. Once approved you get the GC and can work, will take time though.

I'm not sure about a work visa. That too could be considered fraudulent, if you married quickly. You could definately be working soon! I think it is a very expensive option though. Not sure how long it takes....

The K-1 takes 8 months to a year usually, no guarantees. If you do it right, you could be working soon after arriving here on the K-1 visa. You would need to apply for an EAD, ASAP. Be aware that on the K-1 visa once you enter the US, you can't leave the country without an AP or your GC and return. The K-1 is a one time Entry Visa. I believe you could visit here on a Visitor Visa, if you have one, before the K-1 is issued.

There are cheaper ways to immigrate here than K-1, but it is all in what you want...

I can't advise you as to what to do, but you have more options open to you than most of us. All I can say is it isn't as easy as most Americans think it would be. We actually think we have rights, which we do, but not to speed up the system!

Chuck B.

[HisBaby 0]

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

From what you say, you have several options available.

If you visit him here, fall madly in love and get married. You might be able to do an I-130 and an I-485 concurrently for a CR-1 visa. That would allow you to stay while the papers are processed. The problem is that it could be considered fraudulent. That wouldn't be a good thing, but some people do it. Once approved you get the GC and can work, will take time though.

I'm not sure about a work visa. That too could be considered fraudulent, if you married quickly. You could definately be working soon! I think it is a very expensive option though. Not sure how long it takes....

The K-1 takes 8 months to a year usually, no guarantees. If you do it right, you could be working soon after arriving here on the K-1 visa. You would need to apply for an EAD, ASAP. Be aware that on the K-1 visa once you enter the US, you can't leave the country without an AP or your GC and return. The K-1 is a one time Entry Visa. I believe you could visit here on a Visitor Visa, if you have one, before the K-1 is issued.

There are cheaper ways to immigrate here than K-1, but it is all in what you want...

I can't advise you as to what to do, but you have more options open to you than most of us. All I can say is it isn't as easy as most Americans think it would be. We actually think we have rights, which we do, but not to speed up the system!

Chuck B.

[HisBaby 0]

Do you qualify for a TN visa?

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

Hi! The TN Visa is for professionals, yes? I am a legal secretary, but did not attend any kind of post-secondary - it was strictly on-the-job training. Pretty much I have been a homemaker raising my kids for the past 18 yrs...guess that is another stumbling block

[HisBaby 0]

Hi! I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

From what you say, you have several options available.

If you visit him here, fall madly in love and get married. You might be able to do an I-130 and an I-485 concurrently for a CR-1 visa. That would allow you to stay while the papers are processed. The problem is that it could be considered fraudulent. That wouldn't be a good thing, but some people do it. Once approved you get the GC and can work, will take time though.

I'm not sure about a work visa. That too could be considered fraudulent, if you married quickly. You could definately be working soon! I think it is a very expensive option though. Not sure how long it takes....

The K-1 takes 8 months to a year usually, no guarantees. If you do it right, you could be working soon after arriving here on the K-1 visa. You would need to apply for an EAD, ASAP. Be aware that on the K-1 visa once you enter the US, you can't leave the country without an AP or your GC and return. The K-1 is a one time Entry Visa. I believe you could visit here on a Visitor Visa, if you have one, before the K-1 is issued.

There are cheaper ways to immigrate here than K-1, but it is all in what you want...

I can't advise you as to what to do, but you have more options open to you than most of us. All I can say is it isn't as easy as most Americans think it would be. We actually think we have rights, which we do, but not to speed up the system!

Chuck B.

Thank you Chuck! As we are still getting to know each other, marriage isn't really our first choice. I mean, we are looking at that but not so soon!! That was why I was looking into what my other options could be (Visitor's Visa, Green card, etc.). I don't know if I can just up and immigrate for no apparent reason other than to be with him, without marriage being the finale to this thing. I don't even know how long a Visitor Visa would last for (I would like to be able to come to the US for like 6 months to really get to know the man in person that I have known over the telephone and emails the past 9 months, before committing to something as serious as marriage).

Btw - I don't know what AP or EAD means...sorry - not up on internet lingo!! Forgive me!

[Kathryn41 3,207]

I am new to this site and quite frankly, completely overwhelmed with all the information - I just don't know where to start!!

First, I will tell some of my story and then maybe someone reading it will have a beginning to answers I need I met a man 9 months ago (US citizen). I have visited him in NY and we have talked about me moving from Canada to USA. Problem - we have no idea how to do it or the best way to accomplish it!! I am currently separated and going through my divorce, so I don't think I can use this K-1 Fiance visa because my divorce will not be final in the next 90 days. I have looked into a Visitor Visa, but from what I understand, I cannot work if I have that visa... I need to be able to continue working while I live down there in California with him. He is self-employed and suggested hiring me as another assistant. Not sure what requirements/forms would need to be filled out in order for this to happen ... is anyone able to help us?? Can anyone give us clarification as to the K-1 and Visitor visa - ex. how long can I leave Canada to be with him before I am forced to return and then what would the waiting time be before I could turn around and head back there again? How can we manage the working issue? Who would we contact??

Sorry about all the questions but we are just so overwhelmed!! We were not expecting our relationship to culminate in such a wonderful beginning!

Thank you for any/all advice and suggestions given, in advance.

Thank you Chuck! As we are still getting to know each other, marriage isn't really our first choice. I mean, we are looking at that but not so soon!! That was why I was looking into what my other options could be (Visitor's Visa, Green card, etc.). I don't know if I can just up and immigrate for no apparent reason other than to be with him, without marriage being the finale to this thing. I don't even know how long a Visitor Visa would last for (I would like to be able to come to the US for like 6 months to really get to know the man in person that I have known over the telephone and emails the past 9 months, before committing to something as serious as marriage).

Btw - I don't know what AP or EAD means...sorry - not up on internet lingo!! Forgive me!

There are generally two ways to immigrate to the US - through family or through employment. To work in the US you need to have an EAD - employment Authorization Document. There are a number of categories available, however, they need to be initiated by the US employer who has to prove there are no American citizens to do the job. There is also a limit on how many of these visas are available each year and the limit was reached last Spring. The next application date filing will be October, I believe, but it is hard to get an employment visa and it can take a long time.

An American citizen can sponsor a fiancee (K-1) or a wife (K-3, or CR-1) (along with other family members). To apply for a K-1 visa you need to be eligible to marry so your divorce would have to be finalized before you could apply. When the K-1 is approved - it takes about 8 to 9 months average but can vary longer or shorter - you must marry in the US within 90 days. You must then apply for a green card by adjusting status to become a permanent resident. You can apply for permission to work at this time as well. You would also apply for AP - Advance Parole - which is permission to leave the US and return without having to start all over again from the beginning. Once granted, your green card is your official permission to remain in the US.

As a Canadian you are allowed to visit the US for up to 6 months. You are not allowed to work and if you do it would be a violation of your visa which would have serious repercussions ie. a ban from entering the US in the future and/or denial of certain visa requests. You will need to be able to prove that you still have strong ties to Canada and will return after your visit or the border authorites could deny you entry. Strong ties include family ties, residential responsibilities, financial responsibilities and employment responsibilities in Canada. Being away for 6 months at a time may make some of those difficult to prove. You would not be able to bring your belongings with you except for the clothing and personal effects you would need.

IF, after arriving as a visitor with no intentions of marriage, you decide to get married, you can do so but it would be up to you to prove you had no intentions of marriage when you crossed the border. You would apply for the green card after marriage, or you could return to Canada and apply for the green card (CR-1 visa) from Canada.

Unfortunately, there is no 'girlfriend' visa, nor 'just immigrate' visa to the US.

One other word of advice - whenever you are dealing with US immigration, never, never, never, never misrepresent the true or lie. Always tell the truth even if it is something that might be detrimental to your entry to the US, or it will come back to haunt you.

Edited September 1, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Carlawarla 1]

Kathryn has given you lots of information. It can be overwhelming to sift through it all right now. One thing that jumped out at me is that you're not sure nor are you talking marriage right now. So, what you might want to do, is to get to know each other a lot more first before even deciding to move here. Unless you're coming to the US via employment, you're going to have to marry a US citizen to immigrate here.

Read the Guides tab at the top of the website which will outline the different family based visas that are covered here on this site. Visit, visit, visit...for up to 6 months at a time. Have him look at the possibility of coming to Canada more often and looking at Canada as a means of immigration.

BTW, you don't have to have a "visitor's visa" to visit your bf in the US. You must have a passport to fly over though, and must bring proof of ties to Canada to get through the Border. Always tell the truth, however if you're coming over to visit, be prepared to have a lot of questions asked, and they made be suspicious of your intending to immigrate when you say you have a bf in the USA. Just be prepared with lots of evidence of your ties to Canada.