What is best process for US Citizen who wants to marry a Canadian permanent resident from China?

[confused in usa 0]

I'm a U.S. Citizen in New York and my fiance is a Chinese citizen who is a Canadian permanent resident living in Montreal. Right now she has a 10-year tourism visa to the U.S. and comes and goes every other weekend or so.

My question is--should we get married in New York one weekend she comes to visit? And then apply for a CR-1 Spouse visa? Or is there another smarter way for her to become a US citizen and live with me in New York quicker?

Thank you for your assistance.

[Ryan H 3,932]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures

**Organizer hat off**

My question is--should we get married in New York one weekend she comes to visit? And then apply for a CR-1 Spouse visa?

This is your only option.

Or is there another smarter way for her to become a US citizen and live with me in New York quicker?

The soonest she would be eligible to apply for US Citizenship would be 3 years after she became a US Resident.

Edited July 15, 2012 by Ryan H

[JohnR! 5,495]

1342383854[/url]' post='5527301']

I'm a U.S. Citizen in New York and my fiance is a Chinese citizen who is a Canadian permanent resident living in Montreal. Right now she has a 10-year tourism visa to the U.S. and comes and goes every other weekend or so.

My question is--should we get married in New York one weekend she comes to visit? And then apply for a CR-1 Spouse visa? Or is there another smarter way for her to become a US citizen and live with me in New York quicker?

Thank you for your assistance.

Getting married in the US or Canada would be the same. It might be faster to do so in NY. The CR process will not grant her citizenship immediately but will end up in her getting a green card which will allow her to live and work in the US with the same rights - other than voting - as any US citizen. So, citizenship is not required for her to be able to come live with you in NY. If thou stay married and living together for three years she can apply for US citizenship.

If she is the one, tie the knot and file for her residence, bearing in mind she should not permanently move to the US until her green card is approved, meaning she has to continue living in Canada during the process.

Good luck!

[confused in usa 0]

Getting married in the US or Canada would be the same. It might be faster to do so in NY. The CR process will not grant her citizenship immediately but will end up in her getting a green card which will allow her to live and work in the US with the same rights - other than voting - as any US citizen. So, citizenship is not required for her to be able to come live with you in NY. If thou stay married and living together for three years she can apply for US citizenship.

If she is the one, tie the knot and file for her residence, bearing in mind she should not permanently move to the US until her green card is approved, meaning she has to continue living in Canada during the process.

Good luck!

Thanks--that is helpful to know. My only other question is--do you think it will slow the process down if we get married in Canada, rather than the U.S.?

[Darnell 8,480]

once the process is started (file the I-130), there is no difference for 'where' the marriage was registered, it does not slow anything down at USCIS, NVC, or the Montreal IV Unit.

There was a couple (now in Boston) doing the exact same thing that you're thinking to do (get married, file an I-130) and the hardest part of the process (as for anyone else) was the waiting. Her husband stayed with her for 2 months at a time whilst she was in Canada. She's a PRC person with a residency permit (of some kind) for Canada. They've been in USA for about 4 months now.

IMO, yer lass is exceptionally lucky that she can come and go with the tourist visa.

Anyway, get married, file the I-130, roll the dice and start waiting.

Good Luck !

[confused in usa 0]

once the process is started (file the I-130), there is no difference for 'where' the marriage was registered, it does not slow anything down at USCIS, NVC, or the Montreal IV Unit.

There was a couple (now in Boston) doing the exact same thing that you're thinking to do (get married, file an I-130) and the hardest part of the process (as for anyone else) was the waiting. Her husband stayed with her for 2 months at a time whilst she was in Canada. She's a PRC person with a residency permit (of some kind) for Canada. They've been in USA for about 4 months now.

IMO, yer lass is exceptionally lucky that she can come and go with the tourist visa.

Anyway, get married, file the I-130, roll the dice and start waiting.

Good Luck !

Great--thanks so much, really appreciated!

[JohnR! 5,495]

1342403804[/url]' post='5527616']

Thanks--that is helpful to know. My only other question is--do you think it will slow the process down if we get married in Canada, rather than the U.S.?

No, it will not. Your marriage will be as valid here as if you had married in the US. Other than knowing the steps and what will be required of you, so you are prepared and get all papers ready, there is nothin anyone can do to expedite the process.

[BBCC 16]

My question is--should we get married in New York one weekend she comes to visit? And then apply for a CR-1 Spouse visa? Or is there another smarter way for her to become a US citizen and live with me in New York quicker?

It doesn't matter where you marry. But if you decide to marry in the US, then you will need to be out of the US at the completion of your CR-1 process. How long your fiance can remain in the US is based on constraints of the tourist visa.

You can start the CR-1 visa process by filing the I-130 petition the day after your wedding. If you maintain a US address then you can financially sponsor as well but your fiance will need to use an address outside the US- either Canada or China.