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JHS2717

Visiting My Husband While Awaiting for Green-Card/Spouse Visa

By JHS2717 in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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JHS2717 Newbie

JHS2717   0

Posted
Filed: Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Well I am new to this site, but...

I am a Canadian, engaged to be married to an American. Our wedding will most likely be next summer in Canada but I then want to move to the US with him. I am wondering what the conditions are for me to visit him (and for how long) while we wait for our paperwork to be processed. Also, what is the first thing we should do? I am not really sure what a CR-1 is. Would I file for that immediately after our marriage (which will be in Canada) ? I am also wondering if anyone knows the approximate length of time it takes to get the green card. I know i am asking a lot of questions but any info would be a huge help! Thanks :)

tokyo.lovers Proficient

tokyo.lovers   6

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Japan
 Timeline
Posted

until you are married you cannot file for the CR-1 visa (green card for spouse).

you can apply for the fiance visa, but it takes almost as long and costs money.

and if you currently have not applied for any visa you can come and go from the usa at your leisure.

maybe your fiance can go live with you for awhile in canada. if he meets a residency requirement maybe you can file in canada and the process would be a LOT faster. check your local embassy to see what you need to do to file there. it is highly advantageous to file abroad if you qualify.

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canadian_wife Grand Master

canadian_wife   1,831

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Once you are married and have your marriage certificate (which in some provinces can take 6-8 weeks after the wedding) the US citizen can file the I-130 (along with supporting documentation, read the guides) for the CR-1 visa. This process for Canadians can take up to a year after filing. Note that your interview for the Cr-1 will take place in Montreal, the only consulate in Canada where you can apply for the visa.

IN the mean time, admittance and duration of stay for visiting is up to the Customs and Border Protection when you attempt a crossing. It is always a good idea to travel with ties to Canada, such as a lease/mortgage, job letter with an expected return date, enrollment in school, etc

Good luck.

Edited by canadian_wife

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OBX Mentor

OBX   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Have a look at the guides and then you can decide which is most appropriate for your situation. Have a visit to the Canada Regional forum as well for additional support. Good luck!

http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

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OBX Mentor

OBX   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Also I am wondering, can I still work in Canada until I get my Green Card to go to the US ? I have heard people say that your status is in "limbo" once you apply for the CR-1, but I don't know how true that info is.

Yes, you can still work. Nothing changes with your status in Canada until you move to the US as a permanent resident. Good luck!

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

trailmix Grand Master

trailmix   77

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Also I am wondering, can I still work in Canada until I get my Green Card to go to the US ? I have heard people say that your status is in "limbo" once you apply for the CR-1, but I don't know how true that info is.

Hi,

Also, even after you become a permanent resident of the U.S., or later on if you decide to get U.S. citizenship - that does not change the fact that you are a Canadian citizen. You are free to enter Canada as a Canadian at anytime - to work or play.

I can't imagine anyone telling you what they did - that is an amazing bit of misinformation.

Edited by trailmix
 
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