Trying to find the best approach to bring gf to the states

[Furtwangler 0]

Hi everyone,

I'm a US citizen(born here, 19 years old) and have been dating my current girlfriend (She is Canadian, 20 years old) for a bit over 3 years. Within the next year - 2 years I'm planning on proposing to her and whatnot. We're both currently college students, I have 3 years left and she has 2.

We're unsure of what the best process would be, and I don't have the funds to talk to a lawyer about all of this so I'm hoping you all can shed some light on the situation. I've been reading up everywhere but the process still seems really confusing and there seem to be multiple paths.

From what I understand, we can either get married (does it matter where?) and then apply for her visa through the spousal forms, or

Apply for a fiance visa, and wait for that to be approved, then marry?

The process themselves and what happens afterward seems really shady to me.

If it makes any difference, I am technically still a dependant of my parents for school purposes ( need to be 24 or married to become dependant) and technically have very little income. I don't know if monatary status has anything to do with either of the routes getting rejected. We will both have decent paying jobs after we graduate, and she may pursue a masters degree in the states once she moves here. Also, she is currently working here in the states and (I'm assuming) has a working visa to do so.

Thanks for any information!

[milimelo 4,503]

Hi everyone,

I'm a US citizen(born here, 19 years old) and have been dating my current girlfriend (She is Canadian, 20 years old) for a bit over 3 years. Within the next year - 2 years I'm planning on proposing to her and whatnot. We're both currently college students, I have 3 years left and she has 2.

We're unsure of what the best process would be, and I don't have the funds to talk to a lawyer about all of this so I'm hoping you all can shed some light on the situation. I've been reading up everywhere but the process still seems really confusing and there seem to be multiple paths.

From what I understand, we can either get married (does it matter where?) and then apply for her visa through the spousal forms, or

Apply for a fiance visa, and wait for that to be approved, then marry?

The process themselves and what happens afterward seems really shady to me.

If it makes any difference, I am technically still a dependant of my parents for school purposes ( need to be 24 or married to become dependant) and technically have very little income. I don't know if monatary status has anything to do with either of the routes getting rejected. We will both have decent paying jobs after we graduate, and she may pursue a masters degree in the states once she moves here. Also, she is currently working here in the states and (I'm assuming) has a working visa to do so.

Thanks for any information!

1. Read the guides at the top of the page and decide - CR1 is in my opinion a better visa as it gives an immigrant option to start working immediately upon entering the US vs K1 which is a more costly visa that has at least 90 days waiting time after you submit AOS to even get the EAD - work authorization card.

2. Wait until you graduate to get solid financial footing before starting immigration process.

Good luck

[Furtwangler 0]

Is canada any different than overseas countries?

[Anh map 2,098]

Is canada any different than overseas countries?

In what way? What are you trying to ask?

[Furtwangler 0]

Like is processing any better, or is the process even any bit different? She already has a SSN from the work visa she has.

[milimelo 4,503]

Like is processing any better, or is the process even any bit different? She already has a SSN from the work visa she has.

Your best bet is to ask in the Canada regional forum here - I know they had issues with the consulate scheduling interview due to staffing issues there.