Advice needed: US Citizen marrying a Canadian

[Carlawarla 1]

Thanks again for the replies. My fiance does live just outside of Vancouver so I guess that would be a bonus for us in terms of processing time.

Now we just have to decide.. be apart before or after marriage I suppose.

So if I'm correct: The K1 might take longer to have her here and working, however, it has the advantage that we can live together immediately after being married. The CR-1 may be faster to gain permanent residency but we will have to marry and be separated for the first 6-12 months. Decisions decisions!

Thanks again everyone, once we decide which way to go I will post our timeline!

If she lives just outside of Vancouver, your K-1 would probably be faster than a CR-1. She would need to be interviewed in Montreal for a CR-1, that's the only place they interview for that, so that will increase the time line. If you can afford for her to be out of work once she arrives on a K-1, again, that would probably be your faster bet. Don't forget to come on over to the Canada Forum here on VJ. Lots of information specifically for the process in Canada, and specific tips on Consulates there, moving, importing of cars, visiting etc. There is also a Canada VJ Wiki page as well.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

[eye0eye 0]

Thanks again for the replies. My fiance does live just outside of Vancouver so I guess that would be a bonus for us in terms of processing time.

Now we just have to decide.. be apart before or after marriage I suppose.

So if I'm correct: The K1 might take longer to have her here and working, however, it has the advantage that we can live together immediately after being married. The CR-1 may be faster to gain permanent residency but we will have to marry and be separated for the first 6-12 months. Decisions decisions!

Thanks again everyone, once we decide which way to go I will post our timeline!

If she lives just outside of Vancouver, your K-1 would probably be faster than a CR-1. She would need to be interviewed in Montreal for a CR-1, that's the only place they interview for that, so that will increase the time line. If you can afford for her to be out of work once she arrives on a K-1, again, that would probably be your faster bet. Don't forget to come on over to the Canada Forum here on VJ. Lots of information specifically for the process in Canada, and specific tips on Consulates there, moving, importing of cars, visiting etc. There is also a Canada VJ Wiki page as well.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

Thank you!!!

That's a great piece of advice.. I think we'll most likely go the K1 route.. There's almost too much information on this forum.. I haven't even found 1/10th of it!

[redmen99 1]

Thanks again for the replies. My fiance does live just outside of Vancouver so I guess that would be a bonus for us in terms of processing time.

Now we just have to decide.. be apart before or after marriage I suppose.

So if I'm correct: The K1 might take longer to have her here and working, however, it has the advantage that we can live together immediately after being married. The CR-1 may be faster to gain permanent residency but we will have to marry and be separated for the first 6-12 months. Decisions decisions!

Thanks again everyone, once we decide which way to go I will post our timeline!

My husband and I debated much like you are now.... spend time apart before or after marriage. We decided on the CR-1 simply because there is no travel restrictions after the visa is approved. He was afraid if we filed a K1 and we got married he wouldn't be able to travel back to Canada if a family member got sick or he needed to leave for a funeral or something. He wouldn't be able to do that until he got his parole (travel) papers. That was the big decision maker for us. It really stinks not being with your spouse all the time after being married, but after all the paperwork is done and he is here permanently we will have the rest of our lives together. What's a few months to wait now?

Good luck to you!