Process questions CR1 or K3?

[BatmanFlow 481]

Hi all

So im a Canadian citizen, and my fiancee is an American citizen. We will be doing court marriage in December so she can apply to get me over to USA.

Now I have been reading and it seems like CR1 is what we need to go for? Is there anything else. What would the cost be?

And finally and most importantly (I have read and gotten different answers) Can I travel to USA to see my fiancee while the process is ongoing? I usually visit her once every 3 months and would like to do that while I wait for my visa.

Thanks!

[BatmanFlow 481]

Not sure how I can edit my post, but my Fiancee does not work and wont be working while applying for me (she is in law school) So would I need someone else to prove that they earn the minimum income?

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Yes, have your fiancé read the instructions for the I864 Affidavit of Support BEFORE you file so she knows what to expect.

The Cr-1 is, in my opinion, the superior visa. It will take 8-12 months in total, you'll interview in Montreal and there are Physicians throughout Canada you can go to (4 in Ontario, 1 in BC, 1 in Montreal http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/MTL-MED-ENGL-0012-1304.pdf)

YES you can visit, but entrance and duration of stay is never a guarantee.

good luck

[BatmanFlow 481]

Thanks!

So the interview is mandatory or roll of the dice? And they only have one location, which is in Montreal?

[NikLR 13,227]

Interview is mandatory and only in Montreal correct.

[Mark88 184]

The cost for the visa including the fees, medical etc. will be about US$1-2K.

[Silvietta86 2]

- if you apply for I-130 you'll enter in the US with a green card and it will takes about a year (it took 8 months for me).

- Theorically you could travel to the US, the problem is that you have to convince someone at the custom that you are going to go back to Canada, which is not easy 'cause you're asking for an immigrant visa and they know you wanna move in the US.

-My husband paid around 500$ for the visa (I don't remember exactly how much), plus I had to pay for the travel for going to the consulate for the medical examination and interview and I also paid 160€ for the medical examination. Here you can find fees for every form:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

-Your fiance (she wil be your wife at that point) should show that she can provide for you, she will have to fill a form and send taxes documents and that's called "affidavit of support". If she can't I think she can search for a co-sponsor but someone else will answer better than me. Check here, it's the instructions for the I-864 (affidavit of support) form http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864instr.pdf

By the way on the government website you can find all these informations

[BatmanFlow 481]

Thanks for all the info!

Can the I-864 be sent with the original application OR do we have to wait until we get the notice to send the form in the mail?

Also, can a family friend be a co sponsor or does it have to be a family member. I will be reading in more detail but i couldnt find specific about who can be a co sponsor

Lastly, I hope they let me go to USA, I dont want to miss her law school graduation or just spending time with her. If anyone has been in similar situations where they went back and forth after filing for the CR1, what did you guys say to prove that you are coming back?

Sorry for all these questions, but I am just starting out and would like to get a slight grasp before I do more in depth research.

[NikLR 13,227]

Actually getting into the USA from Canada, for a Canadian, is pretty easy. Don't lie to the CBP, have a return ticket (if flying) and bring proof of your ties to Canada such as a lease, rental agreement, bills (including car payments or leases), school registration or a letter from your employer stating where you work and when you're expected back. You can also bring a copy of the NOA1 showing you're doing everything in a legal manner. Often they won't ask for the proof, but it's good to have it just in case they do. I visited my husband 3 times after marriage (twice while the process was going on.) Others visit every weekend. You run into problems more when you're unemployed. It's still up to the individual CBP officer but being honest and keeping trips short (a few weeks at most) tends to go over better.

You'll find many topics in the Canada forum.

Anyone, LPR or citizen, can be a joint sponsor. They do not have to be related to you.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

NO, the I864 cannot be sent with the original packet (start reading the 'guides' at the top of the page). the I864 goes to a different department than the I130 packet

If you send it, you'll just have to do it all over again

good luck

[BatmanFlow 481]

Thanks once again!

I will check out the canadian forum and guides (I have been reading and was wondering if it can be done together)

I'll carry proof around once the application is put through.

Thanks!

[BatmanFlow 481]

Another question. What kind of proof do they accept to show that relationship is bonadife? Since we will be doing a court marriage, the traditional marriage will be on hold until future date.

I have boarding passes, passport stamps, cards. Do i have to send the originals? Like the cards we sent, I would like to keep the orginals for memories, can I photocopy the cards and send it over? or will it have to be original? Same goes with, say, a scrapbook. We made one to keep track of our memories in the past two years, Its really bulky, can I just photocopy the pages?

And phone records. we used Viber and facetime to communicate, so we dont have bills or records showing I kept callng her. Just some screemshot which i recently started taking. Would that be enough or will they question why I dont have any screenshots from before?

Aside from that, what other proof can be sent?

Thanks!

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Don't send originals

Focus on evidence of spending time together

good luck

[Silvietta86 2]

I sent flight tickets (and a page where I wrote where we went and when and which tickets I included in the envelope), pictures of us in different places and also wth family and friends, an affidavit of support made by my pastor, an envelope addressed to mr and mrs x, the receipt of the Christmas present I sent him while he was in Afghanistan, 1 screenshot of skype for each month (for a total of about 10) where you could see more callings in consecutive days

[BatmanFlow 481]

Thank you all once again. And sorry for all the newbie questions. Just trying to learn as much as I can before I send off my application.