KimchiLumpia

10 hours ago, Wes and Louisa said:

Thanks for your reply - I have checked this and it seems to vary quite a lot- from 1-4 months so wasn't sure how accurate it was. 

My Canadian wife (fiance at the time) received her packet 4 information and go-ahead to schedule her interview appointment online on March 9, 2017.  She was offered interview dates as early as 2 weeks and as late as 2 months out.  We wanted to make sure both of us could get the time off work to attend the interview in Montreal, so we gave ourselves a few extra weeks out and scheduled her interview on April 19, 2017.

I believe this is why you see such variance in timelines when Canadian couples receive their packet 4 information and are scheduled for their interview.  

7 hours ago, swanndance said:

Thanks everyone very much for the answers! I think the CR-1 sounds like the best option for us right now; we will further discuss the issue. Loving the friendliness of this forum by the way - I will definitely be coming back here for any questions I have during the process.

As everyone has already said, CR1 vs. K1 Visa has their pros and cons.  My fiance at the time, came over on K1 Visa from Vancouver BC.  We are now married, living together in Seattle, and are waiting for her adjustment of status.

I see you're in Washington too.  Feel free to direct message me anytime with any specific questions regarding the US/Canadian immigration process - especially if you go the K1 Visa route.  

If you haven't already, make sure to go to the "portals" tab - as it will direct you to Visa Journey's Canada section that has more specific immigration advice from Canadian/US couples.

Good luck!

 

My wife (came over on K1 Visa in May 2017) and I have used her AP combo card twice to visit her family in Vancouver BC.     We read on VJ to have copies of all NOAs regarding the K1 Visa, AOS, EAD/AP, and a copy of our marriage certificate just in case.  

We drove from Seattle through the Peace Arch crossing both times, and had zero issues entering Canada and returning to the US.  On our return to the US, they didn't even ask for any of our NOA copies or marriage certificate.  We just handed my US passport, her Canadian passport and EAD/AP combo card.  The border agent was friendly, asked the standard questions, and welcomed back to the US - took 2-3 minutes tops.

Although we had no issues crossing in the past, we will still bring copies of our NOAs and marriage certificate just in case.

Hope this helps ease your mind!  

 

2 minutes ago, shakeyy said:

Hello! Thanks for the information..

 

You applied in person hey? Actually I used the new I765 form which basically lets USCIS forward my information to SSA and SSA will send ma SSN Card upon approval. I haven't gotten it even after 2 weeks

Oh interesting!  There are so many different changes that happen with the immigration process, its good to know about this one.

I guess we went "old school" and did the process in-person at our local social security office.

Good luck with your AOS and SS!

 

My wife (Canadian citizen) and I followed VJ's Social Security # application guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Although some VJ members told us we could apply in-person at our local social security office as soon as she arrived, we waited 2 weeks after my wife's arrival in May 2017 to apply - as the guide recommends.  We received her SS# card with-in 2 weeks of applying.  We then got married in July 2017, returned back to the social security office after our wedding, and applied for a name change on her SS# card.  It took another 2 weeks to get the SS# card with my wife's married name.

We then applied for AOS, EAD/AP in late August 2017.  

We received her EAD/AP combo card in early December 2017, and we are waiting for her AOS interview appointment date. 

So to answer you question, it took 2 weeks to receive her SS# card in the mail from the initial SS# application.  And 2 weeks to receive her SS# card in the mail from the name change application.

Refer to the K1 Visa guide here:
http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

There are examples for just about everything you need to add to your I-129F package.

Disregard the link above.  
 

Refer to this link regarding Canadian Passport Photo requirements instead:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/photos.html

My Canadian wife and I have not gone through your exact situation.  

However, I'd recommend going to a FedEx Business center in your area - as they take passport photos and are relatively cheap.  

I'd print out the requirements for Canadian passport photos, and ask FedEx if they can take photos according to these requirements:
 https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1333474227679/1333474298675

As long as the photo meets these requirements, and the FedEx Business center completes the required information on the back of the photo - I see no reason it should not be accepted.

Good luck!

To the OP, if you haven't already, make sure to read the VJ member's reviews and interview experiences in Montreal:
http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Canada&cty=&dfilter=5

It will give you tons of information on what to expect and the questions you will be asked during the K1 Visa interview.  

Good luck!

Congratulations on your up coming interview.

First off, I understand that you are nervous - but you can relax.   Canada is an extremely low immigration fraud country.  If you have a genuine relationship and everything is truly legitimate between you and your fiance, you will be fine.

If you haven't already - make sure to read the VJ reviews regarding the K1 Visa interview process in Montreal.  Many VJ members, including myself, have written reviews and gave information on what to expect and what kind of questions that will be asked during your interview :
 http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Canada&cty=&dfilter=5

The interview was very relaxed, and all the staff treated my Canadian fiance (now wife) very well.

As far as your concerns with your address, just be honest.  I just asked my wife, and she said the interviewer never asked her if she knew my mailing address.  I doubt they'll ask you either.  If they do, then be honest.  Your fiance is currently living with his family, and slowly transitioning into a new apartment once this K1 Visa is approved.  So at this time, you don't know the exact address where you will be moving to.  Most likely his parent's house for a short term, then into a new apartment once the K1 Visa is approved and you move to the US.

Don't stress....you guys will be fine!

Just now, payxibka said:

And I stand by my advice so stop pissing

This is getting silly.  Can a moderator delete these posts...thanks

5 minutes ago, payxibka said:

And I have been from I-129f all the way to citizenship.  

Bro....stop already.  This isn't a pissing contest.  

Like I said earlier, I stand by my advice - as its directly taken from the visa journey guide.   

People can follow the guides here on VJ or not.  That's up to them.

 

4 hours ago, payxibka said:

USCIS doesn't give a hoot about your relationship, that has nothing to do with the approval of the I-129F nor will you ever receive an RFE for relationship evidence.  Ongoing relationship is an embassy standard.

I stand by the advice I gave above, as it is stated on the K1 Visa guide page verbatim when putting together your I-129F: 

"Use as many of these items are possible. There is no minimum, but the more you can provide the less likely you are that you will receive an RFE. Additionally, please note that providing proof of your ongoing and genuine relationship in this package may benefit you by allowing the consulate to have access to this information prior to them formally contacting the non US Citizen fiance. Many high risk consulates approach cases with a skeptical eye and providing this information early on in the original I-129F package will help them in their preliminary review of your case."

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Anyone is welcome NOT to follow the advice of the guides here on VJ.  That is up to you.  

My wife and I have followed the guides provided, and have had no issue receiving her K1 Visa, SS#, AED, AP, and now waiting for AOS.   

Everything above.

Also, make sure to keep all your airline/boarding passes, immigration passport stamps, receipts of hotel stays together, etc.  

And personally, I would make sure to take pictures together with recognizable landmarks of the city you are meeting - to correspond with the airlines/boarding passes and immigration passport stamps.

Giving the USCIS a well laid out time-line of your relationship and quality supporting evidence will reduce the chance of receiving an RFE.

Good luck!

20 minutes ago, rafaeltost said:

I see.   thanks a bunch!!

 

  She is from vietnam,  a high fraud country.  

 No problem!

I wouldn't worry too much though.  I've read many posts on VJ with couples where the foreign fiance was from Vietnam, and they had their K1 Visas approved with little issue.

Here are a couple VJ links with good information on Vietnam immigration.

Vietnam portal:
http://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Vietnam

Vietnam sub-forum:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/136-vietnam/

Good luck to you and your fiance and welcome to visajourney!

22 minutes ago, rafaeltost said:

I am not using the text message images as proof of meeting.  I am asking about the proof of ongoing relationship section. My question is:   is it better to show the images with her phone number or her name?   How did you guys very proof of ongoing relationship?    did you use text message screen shots?  an if so how did the picture look. 

There is no perfect answer to your chat log question.  

Generally speaking, I've read posts on VJwhere couples literally submitted 100 pages of chat logs and still received an RFE.  And I've read several posts where no chat logs were provided, yet their application was approved.

As I stated above, my fiance and I submitted ZERO chat screenshots, no facebook message screenshots, no skype screenshots - we submitted ZERO chat logs, no phone records, nothing regarding our communication - yet we were approved with no problems. 

IMO - 2 factors weighed in heavier than any chat logs we could have submitted:

1. Her country is a low immigration fraud country - Canada

2. We provided QUALITY evidence of our on going relationship - Multiple bus/boarding passes when visiting, passport stamps, airline tickets on vacations we took together.

I recommend you update your VJ profile and add the foreign fiance's country.  That way, VJ members can give you better country specific information.  Once you do this, you can also click on the "portals" section and get information specific to the foreign fiance's country.

 

55 minutes ago, PA2DR said:

Thank you, we have a full list of things we plan on doing next month when i visit again I’ll make sure to snap a few pictures then. Thanks for the information 

No problem!
 

Just keep in mind, my wife came to the US from a very low immigration fraud country in Canada.  The amount of evidence you provide will be determined by the foreign fiance's country of origin.

When you can, I recommend you update your VJ profile and add the foreign fiance's country.  Once you do that, click the "portals" tab and you will be directed to immigration information specific to the foreign fiance's country.

Good luck on your visa journey!

Everything above as well.  

The USCIS wants to verify you have met with-in the past two years.  Quality evidence of this includes: airline tickets, passport stamps matching airline ticket dates, boarding passes, bus tickets, hotel receipts, etc.  

If you are to add photos, I suggest adding photos of your visits with familiar landmarks in the background.
My wife and I only submitted 4 photos of us together with landmarks of our cities in the background: Seattle Space Needle and Vancouver BC Science World and Whistler Ski Resort.  We did add copies of her bus boarding passes when she would come to visit as well.  We provided zero chat or text logs.
 

We had no RFE's and approved K1 Visa with no problems.

However keep in mind, my wife came to the US from a very low immigration fraud country in Canada.  The amount of evidence you provide will be determined by the foreign fiance's country of origin.
 

Think like a USCIS agent.  Considering tons of immigration fraud cases out there - if you were a USCIS agent and presented with the evidence you submitted - would you believe the relationship is legit, and that you have met in-person within 2 years?

Quality > Quantity  

Everything above as well.  

USCIS want to verify you have met with-in the past two years.  Quality evidence of this includes: airline tickets, passport stamps matching airline ticket dates, boarding passes, bus tickets, hotel receipts, etc.  

If you are to add photos, I suggest adding photos of your visits with familiar landmarks in the background.
My wife and I only submitted 4 photos of us together with landmarks of our cities in the background: Seattle Space Needle and Vancouver BC Science World and Whistler Ski Resort.  We did add copies of her bus boarding passes when she would come to visit as well.  We had zero RFE's and approved K1 Visa with no problems.
 

Think like a USCIS agent.  Considering tons of immigration fraud cases out there - if you were a USCIS agent and presented with the evidence you submitted - would you believe the relationship is legit, and that you have met in-person within 2 years?

Quality > Quantity  

Thank you @Bill & Katya and @ColoradoBeauty for your responses!  

My wife (Canadian citizen) and I drove up to Vancouver BC from Seattle, WA over the weekend to use her AP/EAD combo card for the first time to visit her family.  It had been about 6 months since she came to the US on K1 Visa.

We came prepared with all her NOAs regarding her AOS that is still being processed, her completed biometrics appointment, a copy of our marriage certificate, and all pertinent paperwork regarding our marriage and AOS.

We drove back this past Sunday via the Blaine truck crossing.   We handed the border agent my US passport, my wife's Canadian passport with K1 Visa in it, and her AP/EAD combo card.  The officer asked about 3-4 questions: how long we stayed, who we visited, what my wife's status was in the US.  The border agent was stern, yet, very friendly.

After a 3-4 minutes, he welcomed us back to the US and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  No request for additional papers or information.  

With that being said, we will still bring our NOAs and adjustment of status paperwork when visiting Canada again.  I think its all up to the discretion of the border agent.  You could get a laid back agent, or an agent that is more stringent.

Now my question - Can your AP card be used to return to the US from a country other than your spouse's country of origin?  For example - my wife came to the US on K1 Visa from Canada.  Can we take a vacation to say Mexico, and use her AP to return to the US?  Or can the AP only be used to return to the US from the foreign spouse's country of origin?  In our case Canada.  

Interesting....

My wife (Canadian citizen) and I drove up to Vancouver over the weekend to use her AP/EAD combo card for the first time to visit her family.  It had been about 6 months since she came to the US on K1 Visa.

We came prepared with all her NOAs regarding her AOS that is being processed, her completed biometrics appointment, a copy of our marriage certificate, and all pertinent paperwork regarding our marriage and AOS.

We drove back this past Sunday via the Blaine truck crossing.   We handed the border agent my US passport, my wife's Canadian passport with K1 Visa in it, and her AP/EAD combo card.  The officer asked about 3-4 questions: how long we stayed, who we visited, what my wife's status was in the US.  The border agent was stern, yet, very friendly.

After a 3-4 minutes, he welcomed us back to the US and we were on our way.  No secondary inspection.  No request for additional papers or information.  

With that being said, we will still bring our additional NOAs and adjustment of status paperwork when visiting Canada again.  I think its all up to the discretion of the border agent.  You could get a laid back agent, or an agent that is more stringent.  

1 hour ago, databit said:

Note: Kaiser insurance is not in Montana, where OP resides. It's only in 9 out of 50 states.

@databit - I think you missed the point of my reply, and I don't want others reading this to miss the take-away of what I wrote.

The point of my reply wasn't a recommendation for Kaiser insurance, rather,  it was to let everyone know that most insurance companies consider marriage a "qualifying event" and allows spouses to enroll into a healthcare plan in non-open enrollment dates.  Depending on the insurance company, you only have a limited number of days after the wedding to enroll.

Many newly married couples I've spoken with said they had no idea about "qualifying events" regarding health insurance.  And because each insurance company have different rules regarding "qualifying events", it is imperative the OP and anyone else research enrollment rules thoroughly.

With Kaiser insurance, they allowed 60 days after the wedding to enroll.

With Starmark insurance, they only allowed 30 days.

If the OP or anyone else would like information for insurance company rates in their specific state, I recommend ehealthinsurance.com .  I have used ehealthinsurance to research health insurance for myself, for my business, and for my wife.