How long will I need to go home?

[cananner 2]

My boyfriend and I have been together for a year. We've had short visits in the past, but I am now staying with him temporarily (I'm from Canada, he's in Oregon).

I've been here for almost 2 months now. I know that the maximum amount of time you can be in the US (on a simple visit without any kind of visa) is 6 months. If we want to start the process of paperwork, marriage, etc, how long would we have to be apart? What I mean is, can the process only start once I'm home, because it would involve him applying for me to get a Fiancée Visa? So we're looking at up to 5 months of having to be apart while we wait for the K-1 visa?

If we got married here, would getting some kind of Spousal Visa keep us apart for less time than waiting for a Fiancee Visa?

[Tero 105]

Here is a link to give you an idea of how long the whole process might take; http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/stats.php?cfl=

However,these days it might take up to 6 months between your NOAs, after which it would take another number of months to get an interview for the beneficiary.

[Mithmeoi 29]

If you got married here you could try to AOS, but that's a little risky, or you can return to Canada and come back on a CR-1 visa (which I'd recommend) and you won't have to deal with AOS, you'll be able to get your GC and SSN right off. I'm not sure on the time frame for a CR-1 in Canada, I think both K-1 and CR-1 take about the same time to process, but it usually won't be more than 6 months. I think you can apply for it while you're still here, but you'll have to make sure you're home for the interviews. But don't quote me on that. I've heard of people doing it but I don't know how that worked out. XD

I think you can visit during the process of both visas, again I've seen people do it before, so long as you prove you have sufficient ties to your country and you don't plan to stay until after you are granted the visa. They may stop you and question you for a while though.

Edited January 27, 2011 by Mithmeoi

[pushbrk 12,106]

My boyfriend and I have been together for a year. We've had short visits in the past, but I am now staying with him temporarily (I'm from Canada, he's in Oregon).

I've been here for almost 2 months now. I know that the maximum amount of time you can be in the US (on a simple visit without any kind of visa) is 6 months. If we want to start the process of paperwork, marriage, etc, how long would we have to be apart? What I mean is, can the process only start once I'm home, because it would involve him applying for me to get a Fiancée Visa? So we're looking at up to 5 months of having to be apart while we wait for the K-1 visa?

If we got married here, would getting some kind of Spousal Visa keep us apart for less time than waiting for a Fiancee Visa?

You'll be apart as long as you're apart. Either process can start while you're here but as you've indicated you are aware, there's a limit to how much time you can visit the USA. How long the process takes depends on a number of factors. If you're in Western Canada, the fiancee visa will be faster by months than if you're in the East.

Click on the word "Guides" at the top of any page here and start doing your homework. This is serious business particularly if you DO it YOURSELF.

[iampatricias 17]

I like this comparison chart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare (though, K3 visas are no longer being offered).