Waiting in the US?

[metinil 0]

My boyfriend and I are thinking about marriage, and I'm trying to get an idea of what the best way would be.

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

I want to be able to work ASAP, and also limit the amount of time we have to be separated.

Note: coming to the US on a work visa is not an option, but a student visa may be.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[payxibka 10,044]

As for staying, certainly. If allowed to enter, you can stay for the duration of the authorized period.

Edited October 2, 2008 by payxibka

[YuAndDan 153]

FAQ: 3.15)...Can I, while my fiancee will apply for a I-129F package, be with her in the US ? So we can stay together while the application is being processed or do I have to go to back home again ?

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-I129f.html#3.15

[Mononoke28 134]

My boyfriend and I are thinking about marriage, and I'm trying to get an idea of what the best way would be.

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

I want to be able to work ASAP, and also limit the amount of time we have to be separated.

Note: coming to the US on a work visa is not an option, but a student visa may be.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

If you want to get married, the best visa is a CR1. I believe if you live in Canada, K3 visas are still faster than CR1s BUT it will take longer for you to get authorization to work since you will have to apply for AOS. 3-6 months at the very least.

When you come to the US with a CR1 visa, you get your green card in 2-7 weeks and will be able to work right away.

You can also come to the US, get married, stay and then go back home for the interview. Many people do that.

Good luck!

Diana

[metinil 0]

FAQ: 3.15)...Can I, while my fiancee will apply for a I-129F package, be with her in the US ? So we can stay together while the application is being processed or do I have to go to back home again ?

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-I129f.html#3.15

What about going back and forth? Does the application affect the fiance/spouse's ability to travel, if they intend to leave the US while on the B2?

I worry that when I leave in Dec I won't be able to return in Jan and then it'll be for a matter of months. How long does it usually take to process the I-129F? Vermont takes 6 months+ is that correct?

[YuAndDan 153]

FAQ: 3.15)...Can I, while my fiancee will apply for a I-129F package, be with her in the US ? So we can stay together while the application is being processed or do I have to go to back home again ?

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-I129f.html#3.15

What about going back and forth? Does the application affect the fiance/spouse's ability to travel, if they intend to leave the US while on the B2?

I worry that when I leave in Dec I won't be able to return in Jan and then it'll be for a matter of months. How long does it usually take to process the I-129F? Vermont takes 6 months+ is that correct?

Technically yes, however if strong evidence of ties home is provided when asked by POE officer, they tend to allow entry.

Again, FAQ: 4.6)...Can my fiance(e) come to the US to visit me once the visa process is started?

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-application.html#4.6

Edited October 2, 2008 by YuAndDan

[metinil 0]

Thank you YuAndDan!

Edited October 2, 2008 by metinil

[Mononoke28 134]

Yes, you can enter the US on a tourist visa and get married, then file for the CR1 and go back home for the visa interview so you can enter the US with the new visa.

You can also leave the US and come back on a tourist visa while you're CR1 is being processed but just be ready to prove that your intention is not to stay in the US but go back home for the interview. You may not have any issues at POE at all, but be ready just in case.

Diana

[payxibka 10,044]

turnbacks (refused entries) are not uncommon in this situation

Edited October 2, 2008 by payxibka

[metinil 0]

Thank you everyone for your help! I appreciate it

[john_and_marlene 162]

My boyfriend and I are thinking about marriage, and I'm trying to get an idea of what the best way would be.

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

I want to be able to work ASAP, and also limit the amount of time we have to be separated.

Note: coming to the US on a work visa is not an option, but a student visa may be.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

How much total time have you already spent in the U.S. in the past 12 months?

[Serendipity_ 0]

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

As long as you can prove ties to Canada (Job, rentals receits, utility bills) you should not have any problems crossing the border.

I cross the border every weekend and have been doing so for over 2.5 yrs now and I have never had a problem.

[metinil 0]

My boyfriend and I are thinking about marriage, and I'm trying to get an idea of what the best way would be.

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

I want to be able to work ASAP, and also limit the amount of time we have to be separated.

Note: coming to the US on a work visa is not an option, but a student visa may be.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

How much total time have you already spent in the U.S. in the past 12 months?

Probably about 5 months total... last Dec for 3 wks, summer 3 months, and now 1 month... why?

[john_and_marlene 162]

My boyfriend and I are thinking about marriage, and I'm trying to get an idea of what the best way would be.

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

I want to be able to work ASAP, and also limit the amount of time we have to be separated.

Note: coming to the US on a work visa is not an option, but a student visa may be.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

How much total time have you already spent in the U.S. in the past 12 months?

Probably about 5 months total... last Dec for 3 wks, summer 3 months, and now 1 month... why?

If you spend alot of time in the U.S., your chances of being refused entry increases. You have already spent significant time in the U.S. and don't plan on returning to Canada until December. Don't be surprised if you are refused entry in January due to excessive time in the U.S.

[pushbrk 12,145]

My boyfriend and I are thinking about marriage, and I'm trying to get an idea of what the best way would be.

We met abroad and have been dating for over 2.5 years - visiting back and forth during school breaks. I decided to take this year to spend time with him, see what it's like to "live together", and see how the relationship goes. I'm Canadian on a visitor's visa, and I have a flight back to Canada in December with a return in January to the US.

What is the best way to proceed if we want to get married? Can I stay in the US while the visa is being processed, and then return to Canada for the interview, etc?

I want to be able to work ASAP, and also limit the amount of time we have to be separated.

Note: coming to the US on a work visa is not an option, but a student visa may be.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

How much total time have you already spent in the U.S. in the past 12 months?

Probably about 5 months total... last Dec for 3 wks, summer 3 months, and now 1 month... why?

If you spend alot of time in the U.S., your chances of being refused entry increases. You have already spent significant time in the U.S. and don't plan on returning to Canada until December. Don't be surprised if you are refused entry in January due to excessive time in the U.S.

Right, it looks like in January they'll see you were in the US more than you were in Canada. Are you flying or driving?