Really confused????

[CdnBelle 3]

Hi all,

My name is Sarah and I'm 25 yo and I live in Canada, my significant other lives in Texas... how do we know what the best and easiest way for me to get to Texas is??? I tried to go to the US embassy here in my city to talk to someone about the different visa options but they won't see me in person until I pay an application fee, but I don't know what to apply for??? Would it be easier to file for the fiance visa or to try and get a work visa?? We both want me to be out there as soon as possible. If anyone has any advice on the best course of action for us please let me know.

Thanks so much,

Sarah

[iampatricias 17]

The fastest way is a fiance or spouse visa (work visas take a very long time!). Both of these options could take between 8mo-1yr (give or take for "issues").

Take some time to read through the VJ Guides - they are a great source for information!

[gandacel 7]

maybe you can start with this: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[max+patricia 24]

Entirely up to you, of course.

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

The main differences from what I've seen are that the K-1 seems to have a "possible approval" a bit "faster" than the IR-1/CR-1, but not by much. IR-1/CR-1 requires that you already be married to be eligible - but gives you the benefit of "instantly" having a green card when you enter the US, and not needing to adjust status after getting married (because you're already married). That might not seem like alot, but adjusting status can be a run around and can take several months + another interview after arriving in the US. Not fun.

If my fiancee and I could turn back the clock, we would have married in her home country and we would have filed IR-1/CR-1. C'est la vie.

[HeatDeath 430]

One difference between the Cr-1 and K-1 that matters to a lot of people, but isn't really emphasized in that compare link that has been posted [but probably should be], is this: With a K-1, you are forced to be separated (except for occasional visits) for 8-9 months prior to the wedding, but once you get married, you can stay together.

With a CR-1, OTOH, you get married at the beginning of the process, and then have to be separated for 10-12 months. Occasional visits are still possible, but more difficult, because the CBP officers are more likely to assume someone with a USC spouse [as opposed to merely a fiance] has intent to immigrate. Many people find being separated from their spouse to be a much more distasteful prospect than merely being forced to wait to marry. I know we [my wife and I] did.

Of course all of this is moot if you two don't feel you're ready for marriage yet. In which case the best bet would be a TN visa [assuming you have appropriate education and can find an American employer], an H employment visa [significantly more difficult] or a student visa.

Edited March 8, 2011 by HeatDeath

[Shorah 2]

Its hard, I remember being in the spot you are and wanting to get through things quick and then finding out the real timelines involved. I felt sick.

We chose to go the K-1 route. Its been hard and its a slow process with alot of wait time but worth it in the end.

You're very fortunate since you live in Canada like I do simply because you can visit your partner the same as me.

Alot of people on this forum are with people that live very far away overseas and visits are not so possible. I try to find the bright side of things.

Read the guides on the site, they have been invaluable to me. Make your decision and file asap as it gets the clock ticking on your wait.

The wait time gives you time to prepare for everything, and take advantage of it. I personally am working as much as I can trying to save money for the period when I first get to california when I can't work.

Where in Canada do you live? I'm in Toronto and being that its the biggest city in Canada I assumed that I would go through the Consulate here when it came time for my interview, I was wrong. Immigration cases are processed through Vancouver and Montreal in Canada, so where you live dictates which consulate your case will eventually go through. I have Montreal which is the slower of the two of course lol.

The process seems overwhelming and confusing of course but I just kept on reading and reading and it all began to make sense. The community on here is great and people really try to help. Please ask away.

Also there is a regional forum for Canada if you scroll down farther which is great. There you can ask Canada specific questions.

Good Luck!