When to "activate" fiance visa...

[abigailD 0]

I'm a Canadian Citizen and my fiance is American. I'm hoping to apply for a fiance visa to be able to marry him and live in the USA and say I'm SUPER lucky and I get it before September 2007... can I enter the USA without "using" my fiance visa to visit for a week (say in August) and return to Canada until I'm ready to permanently move to the USA in September and then "use" my fiance visa?

Oh and I know that processing times REALLY vary but what is a rough idea for the quickest/longest time that it would take to get my fiance visa?

Thanks!

[no name 1]

I'm a Canadian Citizen and my fiance is American. I'm hoping to apply for a fiance visa to be able to marry him and live in the USA and say I'm SUPER lucky and I get it before September 2007... can I enter the USA without "using" my fiance visa to visit for a week (say in August) and return to Canada until I'm ready to permanently move to the USA in September and then "use" my fiance visa?

Oh and I know that processing times REALLY vary but what is a rough idea for the quickest/longest time that it would take to get my fiance visa?

Thanks!

You can visit while your visa is being processed, as long as you bring proof of ties to Canada.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1visit

Filter for either Vancouver or Montreal....

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...ll&dfile=No

[GrenadianCrix 1]

It's hard to answer your question about timeframes since you haven't given much information. The different service centers work at different speeds.

You can try to visit the US while the visa is processing however, if you are awarded the K-1 in your passport, you may only enter using that...so if/when you get it, don't come to the states until you plan on staying.

Sue

[YuAndDan 153]

K1 visa is valid for 6 months, and then you have 90 days after entry on the visa to get married.

You can visit the USA before receiving the visa, you just need to demonstrate to the officer at the POE that you have strong reasons to return to Canada.

The timelines here on VJ can give you a good idea how long it will take.

Yours: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=33870

[payxibka 10,044]

If you happen to have the visa in your passport when you try to visit you do not get to choose if it will b activated or not.

[Otto 83]

I'm a Canadian Citizen and my fiance is American. I'm hoping to apply for a fiance visa to be able to marry him and live in the USA and say I'm SUPER lucky and I get it before September 2007... can I enter the USA without "using" my fiance visa to visit for a week (say in August) and return to Canada until I'm ready to permanently move to the USA in September and then "use" my fiance visa?

Oh and I know that processing times REALLY vary but what is a rough idea for the quickest/longest time that it would take to get my fiance visa?

Thanks!

Once you have your K1 visa - you will 'activate' it when you enter the US. They will tell you when you get it, that it is very important to understand that you can't just leave the country (US) once you enter without getting AP (Advance Parole). I know that wasn't exactly what you asked..

Can you visit before you get the K1 Visa but after you've filed? Yes but there are a lot of 'buts' that follow that statement...see links provided and other threads, since it gets asked very often..

How long it takes depends on where filed, where you live and even what time of year filed (since there are trends)..

=)

[meauxna 15]

I'm a Canadian Citizen and my fiance is American. I'm hoping to apply for a fiance visa to be able to marry him and live in the USA and say I'm SUPER lucky and I get it before September 2007... can I enter the USA without "using" my fiance visa to visit for a week (say in August) and return to Canada until I'm ready to permanently move to the USA in September and then "use" my fiance visa?

abigail, there have been a very few stories of people managing to do what you want. Most of said 'no way!' but it turned out to be true. Mostly Canadians, and maybe it was easier there because you could take advantage of the different documents you can show at the border when coming as a visitor. Make sure you do not yet have to use a passport at the land border.

If you try it, be prepared to *not enter the US if they will only allow you in as a K-1 *enter as a K-1 even if you weren't really ready *not fib and don't mention it

But yes, it has been done. I don't know what you'll find with the search engine.

Also, the K-1 doesn't really get 'activated'... it's a one-time use critter so as soon as it's 'activated' it's also 'deactivated'! "Used" is appropriate.

[abigailD 0]

I'm a Canadian Citizen and my fiance is American. I'm hoping to apply for a fiance visa to be able to marry him and live in the USA and say I'm SUPER lucky and I get it before September 2007... can I enter the USA without "using" my fiance visa to visit for a week (say in August) and return to Canada until I'm ready to permanently move to the USA in September and then "use" my fiance visa?

abigail, there have been a very few stories of people managing to do what you want. Most of said 'no way!' but it turned out to be true. Mostly Canadians, and maybe it was easier there because you could take advantage of the different documents you can show at the border when coming as a visitor. Make sure you do not yet have to use a passport at the land border.

If you try it, be prepared to *not enter the US if they will only allow you in as a K-1 *enter as a K-1 even if you weren't really ready *not fib and don't mention it

But yes, it has been done. I don't know what you'll find with the search engine.

Also, the K-1 doesn't really get 'activated'... it's a one-time use critter so as soon as it's 'activated' it's also 'deactivated'! "Used" is appropriate.

See, the reason why I ask these questions about entering the USA as a "visitor" before using my fiance visa is that I'm planning on moving to the USA to be with my fiance in September but I am scheduled to lead a childrens choir in July (in the USA) at a camp I'm attending, and I want to know if this is going to be possilbe. I'm only going to be in the USA for 1-2 weeks in July and then coming back to Canada until September.

I'm very impressed with all the knowledge on these forums, thanks for all the help!

[Krikit 1,163]

If you happen to have the visa in your passport when you try to visit you do not get to choose if it will b activated or not.

Sorry, but this statement incorrect. I visited the US numerous times with a K1 visa in my passport prior to actually using it. (I verified this policy with the American Consulate when the visa was issued.) Anytime there was a question at the POE I just let them know that I was only visiting and would be returning to activate it at a later date.

Now.... having said all that.... any customs agent has complete authority over whether they allow you into the US or not. I have heard (old) stories where the visa holder was told it must be activated. But I have heard many more stories where it was never a problem. Just be prepared for the possibility.

Also, please be aware that this is my experience as a Canadian. I have no knowledge of how other nationalities are treated in the same situation.

[piosenka 0]

Right now your profile information isn't complete. If you give us more information about where your fiance is in the US and what prov. you are in Canada, we could give you a better idea of current trends in waiting time....

So far I'm 5 months into the process, and I probably have another 5-6 left to go. So over all, about 10 mos to a year for the K1 for me... (My fiance is a Canadian from Ontario and I'm a USC from Chicagoland)

It sounds like you'll just have to travel back and forth and you probably won't have the visa by September according to the current trends unless you are sending your stuff to Vermont and Vancouver, then you just may have a chance...

[abigailD 0]

Right now your profile information isn't complete. If you give us more information about where your fiance is in the US and what prov. you are in Canada, we could give you a better idea of current trends in waiting time....

So far I'm 5 months into the process, and I probably have another 5-6 left to go. So over all, about 10 mos to a year for the K1 for me... (My fiance is a Canadian from Ontario and I'm a USC from Chicagoland)

It sounds like you'll just have to travel back and forth and you probably won't have the visa by September according to the current trends unless you are sending your stuff to Vermont and Vancouver, then you just may have a chance...

I'm from Ontario, Canada and my fiance lives in New Jersey, US. I will be driving to and from the USA when I go down in July... does that make it easier rather than flying?

[Melyssa 0]

Right now your profile information isn't complete. If you give us more information about where your fiance is in the US and what prov. you are in Canada, we could give you a better idea of current trends in waiting time....

So far I'm 5 months into the process, and I probably have another 5-6 left to go. So over all, about 10 mos to a year for the K1 for me... (My fiance is a Canadian from Ontario and I'm a USC from Chicagoland)

It sounds like you'll just have to travel back and forth and you probably won't have the visa by September according to the current trends unless you are sending your stuff to Vermont and Vancouver, then you just may have a chance...

I'm from Ontario, Canada and my fiance lives in New Jersey, US. I will be driving to and from the USA when I go down in July... does that make it easier rather than flying?

Interesting... I am also from Ontario and my fiancé also lives in New Jersey! Maybe I could drive with you! LOL

I always thought flying would probably be easier since you can prove you paid for a return ticket, but that might not be true. I've always had a return ticket when I entered the U.S.!

[Krikit 1,163]

I always crossed at the Buffalo Peace Bridge and never had a problem. Crossed at Queenston/Lewiston without a problem, either. When my fiance was within driving distance it wasn't a big deal. When he was transferred further south I would fly out of Buffalo so, once in a while, they would ask to see the return ticket.

To be honest with you, Abigail, (referring to your original question) it is highly doubtful that a visa will be issued prior to your travel dates. When you are crossing you will be telling them the truth.... That you are there to lead a children's choir at a camp. Just be sure to carry all the evidence of that and you shouldn't have a problem.

Edited April 25, 2007 by Krikit

[Yodrak 7]

Krikit,

Point of clarification: immigration agent

Immigation and Customs may fall under the same agency theses days, but they remain two separate and distinct functions.

Yodrak

.... any customs agent has complete authority over whether they allow you into the US or not. .....

Edited April 25, 2007 by Yodrak

[piosenka 0]

I'm from Ontario, Canada and my fiance lives in New Jersey, US. I will be driving to and from the USA when I go down in July... does that make it easier rather than flying?

Abigail - look at Melytha's K1 timeline so far, since you guys have similar cases. She's almost 2 months into the process and now she's waiting for an interview from Montreal which currently is taking 4-6 months. It looks like if everything goes smoothly for her, the whole process will take 6-8 months for her. But you can't always count on current trends because things can change drastically or you may have complications with your case. Overall it would be reasonable to assume the process for you would take about 6-8 months before you get a visa in hand if you go the K1 route provided you are going to be assigned to Montreal for the interview.