Help me with K1 questions, so confused

[SH1983 0]

I am so confused with this K1 visa if anyone could help it would mean a lot because immigration and customs were not trying to help me at all. I have been reading to be eligible for this visa you have to have met your fiance within 2 years prior to filing, so does this mean I am not eligible for this visa since I have been with my boyfriend for 5 years? Also how long can this process potentially take before I can move to the U.S. (Im Canadian, boyfriend is American). Also how much does this cost approx. and I dont understand either, how long before I can work? Also someone was talking about with this visa having to be apart for a year, is this true? If anyone could help me I would appreciate because like I said immigration was rude and not helpful at all.

[hamigirl710 112]

As long as you have met in person within the past 2 years you can file. The process can take anywheres from 5 to 8 months on average and depending on how fast USCIS, NVC, and the consulate in your country is working. If you apply for the K1 visa you can not move to the US until it is approved but since you live in Canada you can still visit as long as you stay in the guidelines. Best wishes!!!

check out this link: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Edited August 30, 2010 by hamigirl710

[SH1983 0]

So all the K1 does is allow me to live in his home for 3 months? Then when we get married I have to apply to more forms? Am I able to work then? Am I sent back to Canada until all that goes through? How does this work? Someone please help me?

[patient2010 93]

I am so confused with this K1 visa if anyone could help it would mean a lot because immigration and customs were not trying to help me at all. I have been reading to be eligible for this visa you have to have met your fiance within 2 years prior to filing, so does this mean I am not eligible for this visa since I have been with my boyfriend for 5 years? Also how long can this process potentially take before I can move to the U.S. (Im Canadian, boyfriend is American). Also how much does this cost approx. and I dont understand either, how long before I can work? Also someone was talking about with this visa having to be apart for a year, is this true? If anyone could help me I would appreciate because like I said immigration was rude and not helpful at all.

the cost to file K1 is 455.00 the visa fee is 350.00 and then there is the medical exam I am not sure how much is cost in Canada and the police clearance I am not sure of that cost in Canda either if there is one. You should look up the embassy guidelines for canada here on VJ there is a tab at the top you can click on and research the canadian embassy it should give you that information. once you get the visa and move to the states you will have to file for AOS (adjustment of Status) before you can work and that process cost 1010.00 you will get AOS and EAD (Employment Authorization Doc) and AP Advance Parole all for the AOS fee. AOS depends on how quick you marry and file for the AOS which will determine how long it will take you to work but once you file AOS it should take anywhere from 2 to 3 months on 4 to 6months just depends on how quick they are moving..... GOOD LUCK

[patient2010 93]

So all the K1 does is allow me to live in his home for 3 months? Then when we get married I have to apply to more forms? Am I able to work then? Am I sent back to Canada until all that goes through? How does this work? Someone please help me?

you will be able to work once you get your EAD....Which is after you file for AOS. You will not be sent back to canada while you are waiting on AOS.....Once you get your EAD you will be allowed to work but once you immigrate to the states you will stay. You will not be sent back to Canada.

[baron555 934]

I am so confused with this K1 visa if anyone could help it would mean a lot because immigration and customs were not trying to help me at all. I have been reading to be eligible for this visa you have to have met your fiance within 2 years prior to filing, so does this mean I am not eligible for this visa since I have been with my boyfriend for 5 years? Also how long can this process potentially take before I can move to the U.S. (Im Canadian, boyfriend is American). Also how much does this cost approx. and I dont understand either, how long before I can work? Also someone was talking about with this visa having to be apart for a year, is this true? If anyone could help me I would appreciate because like I said immigration was rude and not helpful at all.

You only need to have physically met in person within the last two years. If you two are together, then you are meeting in person and meet this requirement. And, there is no separation requirement; if you two can be together, then do it.

Look at our timeline for the timing from our initial petition until when she obtained her EAD which allows her to work. That's a good current approximation.

Cost is about $455 plus medical plus interview costs (see your country's Embassy for exact numbers) and then $1010 for GC/EAD/AP.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I am so confused with this K1 visa if anyone could help it would mean a lot because immigration and customs were not trying to help me at all. I have been reading to be eligible for this visa you have to have met your fiance within 2 years prior to filing, so does this mean I am not eligible for this visa since I have been with my boyfriend for 5 years? Also how long can this process potentially take before I can move to the U.S. (Im Canadian, boyfriend is American). Also how much does this cost approx. and I dont understand either, how long before I can work? Also someone was talking about with this visa having to be apart for a year, is this true? If anyone could help me I would appreciate because like I said immigration was rude and not helpful at all.

The law requires that petitioner and beneficiary have been together, face-to-face, at least once in the past two years. It doesn't matter how long before that you actually met for the first time, nor how many times you've been together, in total, before or during the two years. The petitioner has to provide proof that he/she has actually visited with the beneficiary sometime in the previous two years. The proof is sent with the petition. The intention is to keep a US citizen from petitioning for a fiancee they've never actually met in person.

The process can take as little as 3 or 4 months, or as long as a year or more. There are many things that can slow the process down, some of which you have control over and some you don't. If you live in the eastern side of Canada, and end up interviewing on Montreal, then you can expect it to take a long time. That consulate is severely backed up. Vancouver is much faster.

The petition fee is $455. The visa fee is $350. The green card application fee (after you come to the US and get married) is $1010. You'll also be paying for a medical exam before the interview, and probably another fee to a doctor in the US to confirm your vaccinations before sending the green card application. This doesn't include transportation costs to the US, or the cost of moving your personal property, or the cost of a wedding and reception, etc. A rough estimate would probably be $2K minimum.

There is no requirement that you have to be apart. Most couples do continue to visit each other while they're waiting on the visa process. Some people do find it more difficult to enter the US after the petition has been filed. This is because a filed petition proves your intention to immigrate. Be prepared for the possibility that you'll need to provide evidence at the border that you still have ties to your home country, and that you intend to return after your visit. The US citizen can usually continue to visit the beneficiary in their home country without any additional problems.

So all the K1 does is allow me to live in his home for 3 months? Then when we get married I have to apply to more forms? Am I able to work then? Am I sent back to Canada until all that goes through? How does this work? Someone please help me?

No, the K1 gives you permission to enter the United States with the intention of immigrating, providing you marry the petitioner within 90 days. Most other non-immigrant visas or entry passes require that you do not intend to immigrate when you enter the US.

After you marry you will submit a green card application to USCIS. The fee is currently $1010. You can also submit a work authorization application and a travel permit application. There is no fee for these additional applications if you submit them at the same time as the green card application.

The travel permit (called Advance Parole) will allow you to leave the US and reenter while your green card application is being processed. You should get the travel authorization within a month or two of applying. If you leave the US before applying for a green card then you will no longer be eligible to apply for a green card based on the K1 visa. If you leave after applying for a green card and before you get the travel permit then your green card application will be considered abandoned. You'll have to pay the fees again and submit another green card application.

The work authorization will allow you to get a Social Security number (if you don't already have one) and work in the US while you're waiting on your green card application. You should get the work authorization within two or three months of applying.

The whole green card process can take as little as a couple of months or as long as six months or more. It depends on how busy the service centers and local field offices are, and also on each individual case.