Have a few questions

[george89lol 0]

Hi,

I am an American-born citizen, and my girlfriend/fiancee is from Canada. For the past nearly 3 years we have been travelling back and forth, staying 6 months in America, 6 months in Canada, etc. We've decided to look into the marriage process, and we have a few questions that we can't seem to find a definite answer to anywhere. Our main question is....when we are filing all of these papers, do we both have to stay in our respective countries. Meaning, can I file my papers in America and then stay with her in Canada while we wait for the papers to go through? Or can she file her papers in Canada and then come here until things are ready and go back for the interview process/ etc?

A few smaller questions. In terms of income, is there a ballpark range of what a "safe" range is, where they won't feel like its insufficient? Last question is, what is the most common timeframe? I assume this is a common question, so my apologies for being repetitive. I know there are expedited options. If we are willing to pay to make as much of it "expedited" as possible, how fast can it be done? Shortest time you've all heard? Longest?

I appreciate any and all responses. Thanks a lot everyone.

-George and Lisa

[Inky 1,111]

Yes you can visit each other after the papers are sent in - it all depends on the CBP as to how long you can stay.

Expedite criteria - it is very hard to get one http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD , you will have to wait as everyone else does - Canada is about 9 months to a year as only one US embassy processes spousal visas in Canada and that is in Montreal. If you are going by the K-1 fiance(e) visa you can interview in Montreal or Vancouver. The wait time is around the same. http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

Here is the link to the poverty guidelines - follow the 125% for how many in the house hold and that is the required income annually for supporting the immigrant. http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf

Edited January 5, 2012 by Inky

[GnBnL 50]

For Vancouver, its a little quicker actually. an average of 7 months I would say from filing I-129f to interview. Expedites are not an option for these visas with a few exceptions that usually involve some kind of disaster or hardship. Good Luck!

[GnBnL 50]

The time frames vary, and fluctuate often, so you can't really bank on them being 100% accurate. Some petitions (k-1) I've seen approved as fast as 2.5 months, and other more like 6. You don't have a lot of control, but you do have control of how fast you can put together the package and send them things as they need it!

[CocoCoco 1]

I'm actually in the exact same situation. I'm an American, and my boyfriend is a Canadian. We are not yet engaged, but he has been visiting for the past year for 90 days at a time (we thought he was only allowed 90 days without an official visitor visa?) We are really close to getting engaged, but not sure AT ALL how to go about it. Reading through all of this information is so confusing. My biggest question is whether we'd have to go for the K-1 or if we could just get married (either in US or Canada) and go for a K-3 and if he would still be allowed to "visit" down here at that time or if he would have to go home during that time?

Open to any advice!

Thanks!

[Inky 1,111]

I'm actually in the exact same situation. I'm an American, and my boyfriend is a Canadian. We are not yet engaged, but he has been visiting for the past year for 90 days at a time (we thought he was only allowed 90 days without an official visitor visa?) We are really close to getting engaged, but not sure AT ALL how to go about it. Reading through all of this information is so confusing. My biggest question is whether we'd have to go for the K-1 or if we could just get married (either in US or Canada) and go for a K-3 and if he would still be allowed to "visit" down here at that time or if he would have to go home during that time?

Open to any advice!

Thanks!

K-3 is not an option it is closed at the NVC stage.

If you are not married you go for K-1 if you are married you go for CR-1. - you must choose which is the best for your situation. http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

As has been said many times on VJ - visits can be made during the process.