Canadian TN Visa Holder marrying American

[kfran 0]

Really seeking some guidance here because Google is definitely pulling up short.

Moved to Houston, June 2011 and was approved for TN Visa (3 year). Met fiance at work, now engaged, and planning to marry this coming August (2013).

Should we hire immigration lawyer to handle the process of transferring over to a Green Card OR is this something that can be done on our own?

If you have used a lawyer in this instance could you tell me the general cost you spent for their services?

And if you did this on your own could you please tell me the process I am supposed to follow & the order that the forms need to be submitted in.

Any info will be very appreciated. Thanks.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

This is a DIY site you won't find very many people in favour if a lawyer, especially now that you have found this site

step by step guide ---> http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

It should be pretty stright forward, you qualify for adjustment of status and it should be good

good luck

[jazzly 3]

I don't want to derail this thread but have question specific to TN and family class sponsorship.

If F4 application is in pending, can one apply for TN in the mean time ?

[canadian_wife 1,823]

I don't want to derail this thread but have question specific to TN and family class sponsorship.

If F4 application is in pending, can one apply for TN in the mean time ?

It might be difficult to acquire a non-immigrant visa with an immigrant petition pending

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi there, and welcome to VJ.

As Canadian_Wife mentioned, you won't find many here who would recommend a lawyer. You still do all the work whether you hire one or not.

I've just gotten confused, though. Where do you get the F4 category reference, Jazzly? That's for brothers and sisters of US citizens.

Anyway, you'll want to do some reading up and CW has given you a good link. I am also going to transfer your thread over to the Adjustment of Status (AOS) From Work Visas forum. You'll find a number of threads there of Canadians who have adjusted/are in the process of adjusting from a TN status. Look for posts by Warlord, or send him a PM. You are lucky in that you won't have to mess with expiry and renewal of the TN status during the AOS.

I'm glad you found us.

Oh, and just a heads up. The TN is not a visa.... it's a status.

[kfran 0]

Thanks very much guys!! Really helped....and thank goodness because the lawyer fees are crazy expensive!!

[jazzly 3]

I asked for a friend of mine who has been sponsored by Sibling but wants to work in US in the mean time (10 years waiting) on TN. She is Canadian Citizen.

[chitowncanuck 0]

Hello!

I'm currently on a TN Visa (Mgmt Consultant) which is expiring on May 6, 2013 ... I know, I know cutting it close! We just got married in November (married an American by birth) =)

Sending all the documents tomorrow to the Chicago Lockbox, so hopefully I get a quick response and my EAD and Advance Travel Parole soon. We didn't use a lawyer because everything was pretty much straight forward. Not really sure how much "Bona Fide" documentation we needed as I heard some people really send in a lot. Should be ok since we dated for 2 years before getting engaged, then got married on our 3 year anniversary...so not like it was "rushed". Besides, I'm Canadian, not like I'm escaping some awful country (Canada rocks!)

I filed I-130, I-485, G-325A (for both of us), I-745, I-131, I-864 (which seriously should be waived for Canadians...) along with all the documentations that needed to go with them. Everything nicely packaged in a folder with a cover letter. Payment too of course.

I reeeaaallly hope we get everything approved soon! Make sure you send it to the right location.

[inqztve 42]

Hello!

I'm currently on a TN Visa (Mgmt Consultant) which is expiring on May 6, 2013 ... I know, I know cutting it close! We just got married in November (married an American by birth) =)

Sending all the documents tomorrow to the Chicago Lockbox, so hopefully I get a quick response and my EAD and Advance Travel Parole soon. We didn't use a lawyer because everything was pretty much straight forward. Not really sure how much "Bona Fide" documentation we needed as I heard some people really send in a lot. Should be ok since we dated for 2 years before getting engaged, then got married on our 3 year anniversary...so not like it was "rushed". Besides, I'm Canadian, not like I'm escaping some awful country (Canada rocks!)

I filed I-130, I-485, G-325A (for both of us), I-745, I-131, I-864 (which seriously should be waived for Canadians...) along with all the documentations that needed to go with them. Everything nicely packaged in a folder with a cover letter. Payment too of course.

I reeeaaallly hope we get everything approved soon! Make sure you send it to the right location.

You should also file I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record)completed by a designated civil surgeon along with everything else.

Good Luck!!!

[chitowncanuck 0]

Thanks!! Oh no worries - I did =) Apparently getting a flu vaccination is mandatory now (yuck). Good thing I had all my records faxed over from Canada and didn't have to take all those shots again!

You should also file I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record)completed by a designated civil surgeon along with everything else.

Good Luck!!!

[kfran 0]

Thanks so much Chitown Canuck! It's nice to hear from someone who has to do basically the same stuff as myself. We will be getting started on all these forms now this month, thanks again everyone for everything!

Also just wondering could you tell me the estimated cost of submitting all of these forms? Just ballpark would be great. Thanks

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thanks so much Chitown Canuck! It's nice to hear from someone who has to do basically the same stuff as myself. We will be getting started on all these forms now this month, thanks again everyone for everything!

Also just wondering could you tell me the estimated cost of submitting all of these forms? Just ballpark would be great. Thanks

$1490 plus medical.

The cost is in the guide and on the form instructions.

[chitowncanuck 0]

I-485 - $1,070 ($985 for fee, $85 for biometrics)

I-130 - $420

So the medical can vary, for me it was about $200 for the Civil Surgeon to do this examination. This does NOT include any shots that you have to take (I had all my immunization records from childhood faxed to him so didn't have to take any shots again except the flu shot - $40).

Since you're Canadian - I am assuming you have had all your shots (MMR, TB, Hep B etc) - so get your doctor to fax the information to the Surgeon. Make sure you have your Tetanus shot updated (you're supposed to get it every 10 years).

$1490 plus medical.

The cost is in the guide and on the form instructions.

[Phire 1]

Just out of curiosity, what's the shortest time period you guys have heard of from "1st entry on TN" to "Getting married and filing for an AOS"? I've been lurking on the forums for a while now, and it seems like a lot of the TN holders have been here for 5-10 years before getting married and filing for an AOS. Are chitowncanuck and kfran the record-holders at approximately 2 years?

[JGD108 8]

Already married before my first TN started 8 months ago and filling for AOS marriage (USC spouse) soon.

Time doesn't really matter! Most people say preconceived intent rule 30/60/90 days (google that) doesn't apply so don't really worry about it.