DCF vs K-3 which is best?

[Canook 0]

Hi

We are trying to decide which would be best to apply for, the K3 or DCF. My husband is a US citizen, I'm Canadian and we both live in Canada.

Please correct me if I got this wrong! - if we apply for DCF, I would have to fly to Vancouver with my husband to hand in the I-130 paperwork in person, and then when the visa was approved, I'd have to fly to Montreal to get the CR-1/IR-1? Yikes! We live in rural Eastern B.C. and that's a lot of expensive travelling.

If we went for the K3, would I only have to go to Vancouver for an interview, and could I do it without my husband present?

Is the DCF actually very much faster than a K3?

Thanks

[YuAndDan 153]

See: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare to compare the different options.

They do conduct the interviews in Vancouver also.

DCF is the quicker approach, you will be issued a CR-1 or IR-1 visa, and will have permanent resident status (Green Card) as soon as you enter the states. K-3 requires you to file to adjust to permanent resident status after entering the states, and then wait for some time for the green card.

One complication that comes up is the issues of Domicile, and Tax Returns for the US citizen. The citizen needs to have maintained domicile in the USA while living outside of the country, as well as filing IRS returns. They are requirements for filing form I-864 involved with DCF (CR-1/IR-1) visa. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1328.html

Edited January 18, 2007 by YuAndDan

[Canook 0]

Well, my husband actually works in the U.S. and we file US tax returns along with Canadian ones.

From the info I was able to dig out of the Vancouver consulate page, it looks like we could file the I-130 by mail to Vermont if we didn't want to hand it in person in Vancouver. But I guess I'd still have to fly to Montreal for the interview, which I so do NOT want to do!

And my other problem is: I need to be able to go back and forth between Canada and the US several times to arrange for housing while I wait for the visa to be processed. I heard if you apply directly for the CR1/IR1, you aren't allowed into the States until you get it, but if you apply for a K3, you get to travel back and forth?

[YuAndDan 153]

Well, my husband actually works in the U.S. and we file US tax returns along with Canadian ones.

From the info I was able to dig out of the Vancouver consulate page, it looks like we could file the I-130 by mail to Vermont if we didn't want to hand it in person in Vancouver. But I guess I'd still have to fly to Montreal for the interview, which I so do NOT want to do!

And my other problem is: I need to be able to go back and forth between Canada and the US several times to arrange for housing while I wait for the visa to be processed. I heard if you apply directly for the CR1/IR1, you aren't allowed into the States until you get it, but if you apply for a K3, you get to travel back and forth?

Good thing about the domicile and taxes.

Yes the I-130 gets filed through Vermont You essentially will be doing IR-1 or CR-1 visa, and you can specify interview in Vancouver, they do interview there, I read all the time about Canadians interviewing in Vancouver.

[misa 2]

Yes the I-130 gets filed through Vermont You essentially will be doing IR-1 or CR-1 visa, and you can specify interview in Vancouver, they do interview there, I read all the time about Canadians interviewing in Vancouver.

Are you sure? Everything I've read from people says that they only do CR/IR interviews in Montreal...

[YuAndDan 153]

Are you sure? Everything I've read from people says that they only do CR/IR interviews in Montreal...

You are right, Vancouver only handles the K- visas.

"mmigrant Visas

The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver no longer processes immigrant visa cases. All immigrant visa cases in Canada are handled by the U.S. Consulate in Montreal."

http://vancouver.usconsulate.gov/content/t...cument=applying

[Canook 0]

Bummer! Canada is a huge country! It's really nasty of them to make all the IR1/CR1 applicants go to Montreal.

Oh well, based on that info, it looks like we will file for a K3 thru Vancouver.

Thanks!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Just be aware Canook that a k3 can take up to almost a yr now and the DCF route is much faster, from what I have read on here, about 6 months. Plus with the K3 I belive there may be some working restrictions(as in not working until one gets an EAD), and with the DCF route they shouldnt be as one has work authorization from the start. Sucks that Mtl is the only place that does the cr-1 or ir-1, but one can find some good airfare deals.

Edited January 19, 2007 by flames9