Canada to USA HELP!

[Terr 0]

I am a Canadian citizen. I had major back surgery when I was 17. I have been on disability pension for 7+ years.

I met fiancé online in August 2004 (she is a legal born American citizen) we first me in person August 2005

We want to get married but do not want to do anything until we are sure it is legal. From what I have read I would need sponsorship. I want to know if there are non-sponsorship possibilities.

Have been down to Texas to visit her twice, we first me in person August 2005 and most recently in March 2009. I have visual proof (pictures), ticket stubs from plane tickets. I have friends down there that would vouch to our relationship.

My fiancé makes about $900 a month. She is a CSM at Wal-Mart and is currently enrolled in college and has a 7 year old daughter. Her daughter knows and likes me. She was previously married but separated from husband in 2004 and got divorced January 2008

I want to be independent and have employment and contribute to household I went to college to better myself… I have a diploma for web design

What paperwork and/or forms are involved (estimate of total cost) and how long will it take to finalize?

Is this possible under our circumstances and if we need a lawyer? Can we do it on our own?

How would a lawyer go about handling our situation? How much would they charge for services?

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

I am a Canadian citizen. I had major back surgery when I was 17. I have been on disability pension for 7+ years.

I met fiancé online in August 2004 (she is a legal born American citizen) we first me in person August 2005

We want to get married but do not want to do anything until we are sure it is legal. From what I have read I would need sponsorship. I want to know if there are non-sponsorship possibilities.

Have been down to Texas to visit her twice, we first me in person August 2005 and most recently in March 2009. I have visual proof (pictures), ticket stubs from plane tickets. I have friends down there that would vouch to our relationship.

My fiancé makes about $900 a month. She is a CSM at Wal-Mart and is currently enrolled in college and has a 7 year old daughter. Her daughter knows and likes me. She was previously married but separated from husband in 2004 and got divorced January 2008

I want to be independent and have employment and contribute to household I went to college to better myself… I have a diploma for web design

What paperwork and/or forms are involved (estimate of total cost) and how long will it take to finalize?

Is this possible under our circumstances and if we need a lawyer? Can we do it on our own?

How would a lawyer go about handling our situation? How much would they charge for services?

Its legal, you can do it. Read the guides above and it will explain all your options. I really could not give you a better answer than the very well prepared guides

[dutchmatt 1]

Wow a lot of questions....

What paperwork and/or forms are involved (estimate of total cost) and how long will it take to finalize?

A: If you aren't married file for a K1 visa. If you decide to marry before obtaining a visa, file for K3, I/CR1. Costs vary....not cheap.

Is this possible under our circumstances and if we need a lawyer?

A: No, your case is fairly common. Guess take your time and read the guides on this site.

Can we do it on our own?

A: Yes. See above

The best advice is to read the guides and get an idea of what youre up against.

Good luck!

Edited August 7, 2009 by dutchmatt

[Kathryn41 3,207]

One thing you do need to consider - whatever options you pursue (fiancee visa or spousal visas) - your US partner does need to provide an Affidavit of Support which is proof that she is able to financially support you for a specified period of time. If she has a daughter, then adding you to the household would mean that she needs to have enough money to meet 125% of the poverty level for a household of three. If she doesn't make enough, she is allowed to find a co-sponsor - someone who does make enough money and agrees to become co-responsible for ensuring you do not become a public burden. This is not something specific for your situation, by the way, it applies to every single person who wants to immigrate to the US through marriage to a US citizen.

You can find some good information in the guides at the top of the K-1 forum, and also the CR-1 forum also here on VJ. Good luck.

[TimandJoyce 1]

We want to get married but do not want to do anything until we are sure it is legal. From what I have read I would need sponsorship. I want to know if there are non-sponsorship possibilities.

What exactly do you mean non-sponsorship? As in, not being dependent on someone else's income? Possible. In my case, I have a house I sold. I'm a widow, so I get the full amount, minus reality fees, and paying off a small loan. (The mortgage was paid off at the time of my husband's death)I'm also middle aged, and I know that not everyone can be in a situation like me. Assets can be used by both the beneficiary and the petitioner.

I can't answer about work as although what you do is web-design, you still couldn't work for an American company without proper authorization, and I'm really not sure about working for a Canadian company while residing in the States. Hopefully someone else can answer that for you. If you were to get married, and resided in Canada while going through a CR-1 visa, then you can still work, collect your disability, and when the visa is issued, you will have your GC right away to continue working in the States. I guess your better off to read the guides for that as it seems like you want to be able to seek employment fairly quickly, or I could be wrong here. The K-1 will not let you do that. You would have to wait for EAD or GC which could take a few months. The down side to CR-1 is that you won't be able to live together until the visa has been issued.

Best wishes to what ever you decide, and welcome to VJ!!!