US Born Sponsor & Canadian Citizen Beneficiary

[NAIndians2020 0]

We are about to submit our I-129F forms in the next couple weeks. My question is, what is the expected time frame for everything to be processed and my fiancee to have completed her interview with the Montreal consulate to validate the the integrity of our relationship?

 

I've read that it can be as quick as 4 months since we are citizens of the US & Canada which is probably the most straight forward scenario, however, with COVID-19 and businesses not at full capacity we do imagine there will be some delay, possibly significant delays and want to be realistic and prepared for the worst.

 

Any thoughts or advice for what we should expect? Thank you in advance.

Edited July 7, 2020 by NAIndians2020

[payxibka 10,044]

2 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

We are about to submit our I-129F forms in the next couple weeks. My question is, what is the expected time frame for everything to be processed and my fiancee to have completed her interview with the Montreal consulate to validate the the integrity of our relationship?

 

I've read that it can be as quick as 4 months since we are in citizens of the US & Canada which is probably the most straight forward scenario, however, with COVID-19 and businesses not at full capacity we do imagine there will be some delay, possibly significant delays and want to be realistic and prepared for the worst.

 

Any thoughts or advice for what we should expect? Thank you in advance.

Probably a year.  It is based on a first in line basis.  Montreal was 6 months for the interview after petition approval.   Now they have an additional 4+ months of backlog and growing each day since no interviews are currently available 

Edited July 7, 2020 by payxibka

[Sparkle Sparkle 913]

10 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

I've read that it can be as quick as 4 months since we are citizens of the US & Canada which is probably the most straight forward scenario

Not true...its first come first served...while you holding on to your petition others are submitting and getting approved. When you submit you wait your turn.

[payxibka 10,044]

PS.  For an i129f, ALL petitioners are USCs.  I would guess for Montreal,  a super majority of beneficiaries are Canadian citizens 

Edited July 7, 2020 by payxibka

[Crazy Cat 39,151]

18 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

We are about to submit our I-129F forms in the next couple weeks. My question is, what is the expected time frame for everything to be processed and my fiancee to have completed her interview with the Montreal consulate to validate the the integrity of our relationship?

 

I've read that it can be as quick as 4 months since we are citizens of the US & Canada which is probably the most straight forward scenario, however, with COVID-19 and businesses not at full capacity we do imagine there will be some delay, possibly significant delays and want to be realistic and prepared for the worst.

 

Any thoughts or advice for what we should expect? Thank you in advance.

Why a K-1?  You seem to be ideal for a CR-1.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US     
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

  

CR-1
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

Edited July 7, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

14 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

We are about to submit our I-129F forms in the next couple weeks. My question is, what is the expected time frame for everything to be processed and my fiancee to have completed her interview with the Montreal consulate to validate the the integrity of our relationship?

 

I've read that it can be as quick as 4 months since we are citizens of the US & Canada which is probably the most straight forward scenario, however, with COVID-19 and businesses not at full capacity we do imagine there will be some delay, possibly significant delays and want to be realistic and prepared for the worst.

 

Any thoughts or advice for what we should expect? Thank you in advance.

I've never heard of petition submittal to visa in hand in 4 months; that's absurd although a dream. Expect it to take a year with COVID and be happy if it is less. 

It is very possible USCIS will furlough the majority of their workers so expect the petition to go through the process slow; plus no one can tell you when the embassy will actually open to process.

[NAIndians2020 0]

7 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Why a K-1?  You seem to be ideal for a CR-1.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US     
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

  

CR-1
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

The first point of CR-1 "slightly slower arrival in the US" is that true? That's really the biggest thing for us. We were under the impression it could add like 6 additional months.

 

Maybe we should reconsider. We have the I-129F form more or less ready to go. We planned on submitting next week.

 

Can you answer this hypothetical question. Let's say K-1 takes a year so July 1st, 2021 is when my fiancee earns her Visa, how much time would you expect a CR-1 to add? I know no one knows for sure, but our concern was being together as soon as possible, but you're making me reconsider given all the advantages of CR-1. Thanks

[Crazy Cat 39,151]

6 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

The first point of CR-1 "slightly slower arrival in the US" is that true? That's really the biggest thing for us. We were under the impression it could add like 6 additional months.

 

Maybe we should reconsider. We have the I-129F form more or less ready to go. We planned on submitting next week.

 

Can you answer this hypothetical question. Let's say K-1 takes a year so July 1st, 2021 is when my fiancee earns her Visa, how much time would you expect a CR-1 to add? I know no one knows for sure, but our concern was being together as soon as possible, but you're making me reconsider given all the advantages of CR-1. Thanks

Pre-Covid timeline for a CR-1 was roughly 16 months from filing to interview.  Once the visa holder enters the US, he/she is immediately granted green card privileges.   A K-1 entrant will have to apply for a green card and wait for several months (no work, no travel outside the US) minimum.  There are many aspects to consider.

Edited July 7, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[NAIndians2020 0]

5 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Pre-Covid timeline for a CR-1 was roughly 16 months from filing to interview.  Once the visa holder enters the US, he/she is immediately granted green card privileges.   A K-1 entrant will have to apply for a green card and wait for several months (no work, no travel outside the US) minimum.  There are many aspects to consider.

I know the difference between CR-1 and K-1. The only thing that you said before that interested me was "slightly longer" than K-1. I don't consider that "slightly" longer.  I don't see much advantage to CR-1 if I can't be with my fiancee for 2 years. 

[Crazy Cat 39,151]

Just now, NAIndians2020 said:

I know the difference between CR-1 and K-1. The only thing that you said before that interested me was "slightly longer" than K-1. I don't consider that "slightly" longer.  I don't see much advantage to CR-1 if I can't be with my fiancee for 2 years. 

A few months is "slightly longer" in the big picture.   I'm not sure where you are getting the "I can't be with my fiancee for 2 years" stuff.........Last time I checked, it was pretty easy to visit between Canada and the US (Pre-Covid).  If you can't see the advantages of a CR-1 vs a K-1, then I can't really offer any help.  Good luck.

[Crazy Cat 39,151]

7 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

I don't see much advantage to CR-1 if I can't be with my fiancee for 2 years. 

I said in pre-Covid times the entire CR-1 process was roughly 16 months.....not that it added 16 months.

Edited July 7, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Marieke H 2,301]

2 minutes ago, NAIndians2020 said:

I know the difference between CR-1 and K-1. The only thing that you said before that interested me was "slightly longer" than K-1. I don't consider that "slightly" longer.  I don't see much advantage to CR-1 if I can't be with my fiancee for 2 years. 

Also consider what would be best for your fiancée. Being "stuck" for 5-7 months waiting for the EAD is hard. She won't be able to travel, work and in many states she can't get a driver's license. It is very difficult to go through that, in a new country, while her spouse is working every day. It can be a very depressing experience. 

CR1 takes longer, but you will be able to visit during the process.

[NAIndians2020 0]

1 minute ago, Lucky Cat said:

I said in pre-Covid times the entire CR-1 process was roughly 16 months.

It's not pre-covid anymore is it? so 24 months sounds appropriate, no?

[payxibka 10,044]

Just now, NAIndians2020 said:

It's not pre-covid anymore is it? so 24 months sounds appropriate, no?

Could be more, could be less.  It depends on when the consulate resumes normal visa processing    Another item to consider is that spousal visas are deemed "mission critical " and k1s are not.  So in the event the consulate doesn't resume normal Visa processing but only mission critical processing it could have a significant impact.   Nobody knows for sure.   Pick your poison and roll the dice. 

[NAIndians2020 0]

4 minutes ago, Marieke H said:

Also consider what would be best for your fiancée. Being "stuck" for 5-7 months waiting for the EAD is hard. She won't be able to travel, work and in many states she can't get a driver's license. It is very difficult to go through that, in a new country, while her spouse is working every day. It can be a very depressing experience. 

CR1 takes longer, but you will be able to visit during the process.

Well she's the one that suggested it. You're acting like I made this decision. We want to start a family now, so this whole thing is annoying to say the least.