Starting My Visa Journey TODAY! - Hopefully..

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Finished school, no job, lives at home with her parents... so nothing is "allowing" her, its more like nothing is holding her back.

Just trying to prepare you for the chance that someone begins to question her frequent visits. Ties to the home country are important, what would she bring?

[CarolAnn&Eddy 12]

interesting.. but what makes someone "living" anywhere? legal address? job? school? i don't know.. hmm... could be tricky. Technically she is still living in canada. Her shoes are there LOL

Ahh you are pretty much in the same boat as me. Your about a month ahead.. How do you deal with the extended visits.. did they turn up to be an issue for you?

He has not been allowed to enter the US yet because he could not prove sufficient ties to Canada to out weigh the fact that we are engaged. I however travel there frequently and I am now starting to get questioned more and more at the land port of entry. They are wanting more documents for me to be able to enter as it looks as though I am trying to be there more than here.

Only problem I have seen was that once border patrol knew I was visiting my fiance, the need for more documentation arose for me to enter Canada.

[mtlbk 0]

Just trying to prepare you for the chance that someone begins to question her frequent visits. Ties to the home country are important, what would she bring?

Im not sure.. I will need to speak to her and review what she can actually show. what are some things that show a "tie" aside from those we already mentioned?

He has not been allowed to enter the US yet because he could not prove sufficient ties to Canada to out weigh the fact that we are engaged. I however travel there frequently and I am now starting to get questioned more and more at the land port of entry. They are wanting more documents for me to be able to enter as it looks as though I am trying to be there more than here.

Only problem I have seen was that once border patrol knew I was visiting my fiance, the need for more documentation arose for me to enter Canada.

It seems like the person who should do the traveling to visit the other might need to be the one with more ties to their home country. It appears in this case that i will need to start visiting her much more often since i have a job, apartment, car lease etc. Hmmm

Edited May 8, 2012 by mtlbk

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Acceptable ties are what I listed - things that would prove she isn't abandoning residence.

An employment or school letter, a lease, return tickets, bills. Something she could show to border patrol that would prove she can't just be going to the US to stay for good, that she would need (and is expected) to come back.

I'm not saying it will cause a big problem, but I wouldn't be surprised if she started getting questioned more and got a denial or two. Like I said, no impact on your visa, but still annoying and pretty scary, sometimes.

If you can do the traveling, that would eliminate any worry.

Edited May 8, 2012 by Coconuts

[mtlbk 0]

Acceptable ties are what I listed - things that would prove she isn't abandoning residence.

An employment or school letter, a lease, return tickets, bills. Something she could show to border patrol that would prove she can't just be going to the US to stay for good, that she would need (and is expected) to come back.

Makes a lot of sense. Thank you! i need to brain storm

[CarolAnn&Eddy 12]

Im not sure.. I will need to speak to her and review what she can actually show. what are some things that show a "tie" aside from those we already mentioned?

What we were told was... a rental agreement or proof of owning property, job records showing he owns property, school enrollment, anything that shows that he had reason to go back.

We returned with documents of a rental agreement, bank statements, letters from the ministry where he volunteers, appointments that he had coming up that he had to come back for. We may have been told wrong, but he was again denied entry stating that because we were in a relationship that made it more risky for him to enter the US and actually stay. Border patrol told him to "go back to Canada get a job for 2 years, buy a house, and become a viable citizen there before ever thinking of coming to the US". Very harsh in my books but that is what sent us to look for different options and led me to VJ and filing for a K1.

[mtlbk 0]

What we were told was... a rental agreement or proof of owning property, job records showing he owns property, school enrollment, anything that shows that he had reason to go back.

We returned with documents of a rental agreement, bank statements, letters from the ministry where he volunteers, appointments that he had coming up that he had to come back for. We may have been told wrong, but he was again denied entry stating that because we were in a relationship that made it more risky for him to enter the US and actually stay. Border patrol told him to "go back to Canada get a job for 2 years, buy a house, and become a viable citizen there before ever thinking of coming to the US". Very harsh in my books but that is what sent us to look for different options and led me to VJ and filing for a K1.

Sounds like the border patrol was in a really bad mood that day. Very Harsh!!

[bigdog 376]

You are on your way, do not get too frustrated, this process is slow and hopefully steady.

[tru_loves_journey 117]

[Jana / Robert 0]

You have a long way to go, but for you K-1 visa is the best option.

Good luck.

[Kazulie 132]

I personally would have gone with the IR1/CR1.

- Both take basically the same time.

- IR1/CR1 is cheaper.

- after filing either one there is a chance of denial at the border.

- if CR1 she will have green card/be able to work almost instantly.

What am I confused about? Why is the K-1 a better choice?

[at long last 58]

OK so in front of me now i have:

1. "I am a US citizen - How Do I... Help my fiance become a U.S. Permanent Resident?"

2. "K1 Process Flow Chart"

3. "Instructions for Form I-129F"

4. "Step by Step guide on how to file for a K-1 visa for your foreign Fiance"

5. a cup of coffee

Am i missing anything...

Only thing I would add is a little Baileys to the coffee....

sorry, we are on our second try and am happy taking things seriously but giving way for humor. Tough process, not for the week of heart..

Enjoy the time getting to know each. We have gone back and forth many times and I stay for a couple of months at a time, but NEVER put myself in an overstay situation.

All the best.

Terri

Edited May 9, 2012 by at long last

[LeftCoastLady 441]

I personally would have gone with the IR1/CR1.

- Both take basically the same time.

- IR1/CR1 is cheaper.

- after filing either one there is a chance of denial at the border.

- if CR1 she will have green card/be able to work almost instantly.

What am I confused about? Why is the K-1 a better choice?

I don't speak for anyone else but myself and my fiancé, but we went with the K-1 because we'd rather have the time spent apart upfront rather than after we get married. Cost isn't really an issue to me and I make enough to support the both of us (plus my cat) while waiting for the AOS/EAD process, so his not working isn't an issue, either. Besides, I'd rather he come here with the time to get used to long-term American life before jumping right into the job search game.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I personally would have gone with the IR1/CR1.

- Both take basically the same time.

- IR1/CR1 is cheaper.

- after filing either one there is a chance of denial at the border.

- if CR1 she will have green card/be able to work almost instantly.

What am I confused about? Why is the K-1 a better choice?

It all depends on when you want to be separated. Before or after marriage. And if working isn't a big deal, it's kind of nice to come to America and not immediately have to look for a job. I cherished the time I had to get used to my new surroundings and get settled here before I was able to go to work.

[john&lindsey 0]

So... My name is Al and i live in New York. A little over a year ago i met my future wife. She is the love of my life. Anyway.. we started dating and things got serious, which is awesome. We got engaged on January 29th. Heres the catch shes canadian and im american!!! NOW WHAT?!?!?!

Well, we want to live in New York and we travel often back and forth. I go there for a few days and she comes here for a few days. Today i started doing research online on how to legally make her a citizen.

Here were my initial questions:

What if we spontaneously decided to get married while she is visiting me can we go to city hall and make that happen? Is that a better way?

If we decide to go through the paperwork will i be able to keep visiting each-other (in other words can we travel freely between Canada and the US)?

It appears that the correct way to move forward would be to file a I-129F for a K1 visa. But then what? Can we see each other at all? if so, are there restrictions?

Can anyone help me out?

My fiance' lives in Scotland and we were debating the same thing. We decided that we would go with the fiance' visa (the i-129f) because it would work best to get him here permanently faster. After our petition my daughter and I went to visit him for a month and was only asked a few questions because it was holiday season so they understood a lot of people traveling for Christmas. So.. After I returned from my month trip 3 weeks later he came to stay with me for 3 months. He did have to give his job notice seeing he would be gone for so long.. so we were worried since he didn't have proof of "ties" to his home country. They did pull him aside and ask him a lot of questions…. He had a bank statement saying the amount of money he had and that was basically all. He told them about the fiance' petition that was filed. They asked him if his intentions were to come marry me and how could he prove it… He said that he just visited me in October and we could have done it then but we are trying to go the appropriate route. They sent him on his way with no more questions. So.. I think if you do get married and then travel back and forth she may have a lot of trouble getting in the U.S. (my opinion only) I do think that the government wants us to ask them permission first…. they are kinda our parents… saying "hey mom and dad… I want to get married lets plan a wedding"… is different than saying.. "Mom and dad… we just went and got married I hope he can stay" … But again… my opinion. Good luck in whichever route you decide to go. My vote is for the I-129 and continue visiting each other as often as possible.