Marrying an American

[GG_CAN 0]

Okay, I am having a lot of trouble getting ALL of the information I need regarding this topic. Here in Canada, the toll free number for the USCIS doesn't work, and the US Consulate can only be contacted through emails unless I want to take time off work and drive into Ottawa or Montreal and schedule an appointment to talk to someone.

What I found out so far, is that if I wanted to fly down to the States and marry my fiance there, this would be the procedure...

"The US citizen must file form I-129F which will take around 5 months. After that beneficiary needs to go through Consular processing to get a non-immigrant visa. This visa, fiancé visa, will allow beneficiary to enter the US and marry the US citizen within 90 days. After that US citizen must file form I-130 for beneficiary to become a resident and form I-485 to adjust status as beneficiary is already in the US. Beneficiary would wait in the United States until status is adjusted. Beneficiary cannot leave the US without an Advance Parole (I-131). In the meantime beneficiary can work. Form I-765 is needed for this purpose.

The cost of the I-129F is 340 US dollars. The cost of I-484 which should include I-131 and I-765 is 985 US dollars.

You can move within the US, but must notify USCIS using form AR-11."

From what info I could gather, that would add up to a cost of approximately $1745 US just for the paperwork.

If she was to fly up here to Canada and we married here, this is what I found out...

"Once married the US Citizen must file a form I-130.

USCIS will take about 5 months to process this petition. After that the beneficiary needs to go through Consular processing to get the Immigrant Visa and be able to move to the States and work.

In the meantime beneficiary needs to remain in Canada.

The cost of the initial process (I-130) is 420 US dollars."

My question is, what paperwork, procedures and cost are involved in the "Consular processing"? Can anyone help me out with that? I need to find out the least complicated and least costly route so we can get married withing the next several months. I appreciate any help you can give me.

Greg

[웃 910]

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

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k3guide

It is pretty easy just go through each number 1 by 1...

[yohino 22]

Check this, it compares the different routes, just one note, don't bother with the K3, it's for all purposes a dead end.

So it's either the k1 (fiance) or CR-1 (if you get married before starting the process).

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

Edited February 6, 2011 by yohino

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Where are you getting this from? I stopped reading when I saw that whatever you quoted says that after you enter and marry on an approved K-1 visa you also fill out a I-130. That is incorrect. Is this you quoting yourself or from another place?

Spousal visa is cheaper overall, and the beneficiary can work when they enter the country (this entry triggers their LPR status whereas a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa with the option to apply for Adjustment of Status). In either case, there are visa fees to be paid during interview process. There are guides at the top of the page that should outline exactly what they are.

Also, beneficiary does not need to stay in Canada while things are processing. They can continue to visit as before.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

- K1 visa fees are more expensive than the CR-1 visa fees but if flying to the US is more than $1000 then the CR-1 works out to cost you the same because you don't need to see each other again until the K1 is approved (1 flight to US versus 2).

- If you go CR-1 you can't file until you marry so this slows down your timeline for however long it takes you to get there and marry.

- If you want to get married by a specific deadline then the CR-1 is your route because there's no guarantee when you'll get the K1.

- If money is an issue (which your post states) then the K1 isn't a route for you because the K1 beneficiary can't work for many months until the EAD or GC are approved so you will be supporting your fiancee/wife until she gets the work approval.

- The K1 will mean you're together quicker. Means you don't need to spend months apart from your wife (just fiancee which doesn't sound as bad to me) but does have more expensive fees (though they're spaced out so it doesn't feel that bad.. till you write that cheque for AOS of $1070).

So you need to ask yourself what's more important. Being together quicker, or saving money.

Edited February 6, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[Darnell 8,478]

*** moving to IR-1/CR-1 forum ***

[TSC Blackhole 11]

I am american and recently married a canadian. We didn't have a special wedding or anything, we were just married in the courthouse with our parents present. He came down to visit, we got married, he went back to Canada and we filed the I-130. It is cheaper than the fiance visa.

We filed in July but were one of 36,000 that got transferred to TSC and are still waiting to be approved. Needless to say because of the time it's taking, he crosses back and fourth frequently and hasn't been hassled, yet. Once he's here permanently we will have a big wedding ceremony with all of our friends and family present.

Good luck!