New to this site - need some info

[moemac59 193]

Hi Everyone,

Here is my situation. I met my now fiancee online 2 years ago. At that time he was seperated and now is in the process of divorce. Problem is, she is not being cooperative which is holding up any start of our immigration process. I have a sister (US Citizen) who is willing to sponsor me into the US. I am Canadian and he is American. I have heard that the sponsorship for siblings is very, very long and the sponsorship for financees is alot shorter.

I have a few questions and need help. First, can I live in a different state than my sponsor...she lives in California and my other half lives in NY, once I am granted residence to the US?

Second, does anyone have any idea of how long it takes for sibs sponsorship to go thru? This will determine which route I am going to go....sister or financee.

Third, how much work will she have to do to do this? IE. interviews, paperwork. I want to make this as easy as possible for her.

Fourth, I just want to clarify if his divorce has to be final before we can proceed with filing a petition?

Any help would be greatlly appreciated.

Thanks

[JimVaPhuong 4,865]

Hi Everyone,

Here is my situation. I met my now fiancee online 2 years ago. At that time he was seperated and now is in the process of divorce. Problem is, she is not being cooperative which is holding up any start of our immigration process. I have a sister (US Citizen) who is willing to sponsor me into the US. I am Canadian and he is American. I have heard that the sponsorship for siblings is very, very long and the sponsorship for financees is alot shorter.

I have a few questions and need help. First, can I live in a different state than my sponsor...she lives in California and my other half lives in NY, once I am granted residence to the US?

If it's your sister sponsoring you, no problem. If it's your fiance (who will become your husband), it will definitely be a problem. You need to demonstrate that you're living as a married couple in order to get your conditions lifted in two years.

Second, does anyone have any idea of how long it takes for sibs sponsorship to go thru? This will determine which route I am going to go....sister or financee.

Currently, about 10 years from Canada.

Third, how much work will she have to do to do this? IE. interviews, paperwork. I want to make this as easy as possible for her.

Just paperwork and money for her. The interview is on your end.

Fourth, I just want to clarify if his divorce has to be final before we can proceed with filing a petition?

Yes. You both must be eligible to marry at the time he files the petition. No way around this.

Any help would be greatlly appreciated.

Thanks

[moemac59 193]

Thanks Jim,

I figured it would be a long wait for to go the sib route. I guess the best thing to do is to wait for the divorce to become final and then apply for a K1 visa.

[JimVaPhuong 4,865]

Thanks Jim,

I figured it would be a long wait for to go the sib route. I guess the best thing to do is to wait for the divorce to become final and then apply for a K1 visa.

I'm sorry there's not better news for you. I know it's not much consolation, but there are a lot of people in the same boat, and they're waiting out a divorce so that they can file. My divorce lawyer used to say "Relax. Life moves a lot faster than the law."

In some respects, you have a lot of advantages over many other people. You can enter the US as a visitor relatively easily, and you can travel by land, if you choose to. This makes it more practical and less expensive to visit your fiance than if you lived across the ocean, which makes the waiting a little easier. In many countries, a recent divorce by the US citizen petitioner can throw up red flags at the consulate. The motives for fraud in those countries really don't exist with a beneficiary in Canada, so the divorce isn't likely to cause you any problems at all other than having to wait for it to be completed.

Also, if you think 10 years is a long time to wait for a sibling to sponsor you, be thankful you're not in the Philippines, where the wait is currently 23 years!

[baron555 934]

Sri but at least either of you two can easily visit the other. Think if you were in a country that would not allow you to leave on a tourist visa?

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Sri but at least either of you two can easily visit the other. Think if you were in a country that would not allow you to leave on a tourist visa?

Just a little clarification, Baron. Russia will allow your Alla to leave to leave on a tourist visa, no problem. It is the USA that is so damned stubborn about granting a tourist visa to the USA from Russia and Ukraine (and other countries). But your point is well made, it is a lot easier for Canadians or for those in VWP countries to visit. For us it meant me going there and taking lots of time off work (add two days going there and one day coming back with the time changes, jet lag, etc.). Plus much more expensive travel costs, and yes, it is much easier for Canadian fiance(e)s.

[moemac59 193]

Sri but at least either of you two can easily visit the other. Think if you were in a country that would not allow you to leave on a tourist visa?

Just a little clarification, Baron. Russia will allow your Alla to leave to leave on a tourist visa, no problem. It is the USA that is so damned stubborn about granting a tourist visa to the USA from Russia and Ukraine (and other countries). But your point is well made, it is a lot easier for Canadians or for those in VWP countries to visit. For us it meant me going there and taking lots of time off work (add two days going there and one day coming back with the time changes, jet lag, etc.). Plus much more expensive travel costs, and yes, it is much easier for Canadian fiance(e)s.

I am very lucky as I am in Toronto and he is just outside of Buffalo. I have read alot of other post on this site and feel bad for people as they have so far to travel to be with the one that they love.