LeoMyFriend

I understand, thank you. By 'a lot', any more than 1 option would get my head spinning.

I understand that we'll be separated until the spousal visa gets approved. We're prepared for that. I guess the next step is to work out which option would be best for us. K-1 would let us be together while we wait for the EAD, but we would need months to get the K-1 visa first, and THEN we would marry in the states. CR-1 would allow him to work as soon as he enters the states, but we have to wait about a year until that even gets approved. I think I've got what I need, unless my information there is wrong.

Thank you all so much for your help!

2 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

For the K-1 fiance route, he will not be able to work for 5-7 months until he gets his EAD which happens after he files to adjust his status for a green card (PR).  

If you go the spousal visa route, then he immediately gets a green card when he enters the US and can work immediately.  This is the advantage of the spousal visa over the K-1 fiance visa.

 

And if we apply on a spousal visa, he wouldn't be able to accompany me to the US until the visa gets approved? Or would he be able to apply for a visitor visa while waiting for the spousal visa to be approved?

I apologize for all the questions, there are a lot of options to wrap my head around.

Just now, Paul & Mary said:

He can start working after 4 to 6 months of waiting for an EAD. . .  after filing the AOS

So he won't be able to work until about 6 months after we get married? Or 6 months after he gets approved for PR?

I've been rolling through the immigration process in Canada, I know this never goes as smoothly, haha.

So, even if we sent in an I-129F Petition packet today, he wouldn't be able to legally enter the US (Without a visitor visa or a return ticket) until he receives his K-1? And then we have to get legally married within 90 days, apply for PR, and then he can start working?

And if we get married in Canada, will he be able to accompany me and simply not work? Or will he be barred from entry until we get through the entire CR-1 visa process?

We don't have a US residence, is it still possible to file it in the US?

We are living in a common-law partnership, which I understand the US doesn't recognize. We were planning to get married eventually, I just didn't know what timing we should use for our marriage.

Hello!

I am a US citizen living in Canada on a work permit. My partner is a UK citizen, also living in Canada, also on a work permit. Our work permits are expiring soon, and our Permanent Residency application was rejected, and our work permits can't be extended.

If we wanted to move to the US, I understand we would need to follow the DFC, which would be to contact the Consulate in Vancouver and go from there.

What is the time frame for this process?

Will my partner be able to work in the US?

Will my partner be able to leave the country after entering the US?

Should we marry before or after entering the US?

I might have more as they come along, but right now we're kind of in panic mode.

I greatly appreciate any help!