abigailD

I've been searching on here for some timelines as far as how long its taking between getting your NOA2 and getting an interview scheduled in Montreal for a K-1 visa but I'm getting a bit confused... I'm seeing anywhere from a month to 4+ months... what is the average scheduling time right now for an interview in Montreal? Does it matter if you are doing a K-1 or a K-3 interview or are they both the same time frame?

Thanks!

~Abby

Hi everyone,

Like many people on here I am STILL awating my NOA2 from the Vermont Service Center... when we first applied the processing date was at 44 days and now its 77 and theres been no word on our case since May! I cant believe this, its taking FOREVER!

Question, this might not be possible but I thought I'd ask just in case. I live in Ontario and one of my friends has recently moved to BC and it got me thinking... could I go and visit her and have my interview in Vancouver instead of Montreal which seems to be really back logged for interviews? I hear Vancouver interview dates are much quicked to get, correct me if I'm wrong though. So ya, can I apply for an interview in Vancouver when I live in Ontario?

Thanks for the help!

~Abby

Good luck with your petition

Thanks! Didnt think it mattered. We are at day 61 right now and VSC's processing time is at 69 days so does that mean we should be close? =) I cant wait for it to go through!

I know I'm probably far from getting my K-1 as our I-129f is still processing (hopefully not TOO far though this is taking long enough), but I was thinking the other day about when I do get it... since I live in Ontario and my fiance is in NJ, he comes up and visits me often and it would be no problem for him to come up to Canada and drive across the border with me... would it be better though if I just came across by myself though, maybe with my parents? Does it matter? Probably doesnt matter but any thoughts?

Hey!

Anyone a May filer for their K-1 visa?

We sent our I-129F to VSC on May 14th and got out first NOA May 21st (I thought that was pretty good at the time). When we filed, the VSC processing time was at 44 days but now the VSC is at 63 days.... does this mean I need to aim for 63 days now or am I still good with 44 days (which is any day now) since that was my original processing time in May?

You definitely learn to have a lot of patience with this visa process. =)

There is a May filer thread on this forum where you can read about other May filers----63 days sounds like a dream compared to what some people are waiting. The word is P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E

Good Luck on your journey

Thanks! I didnt see there was a may filer thread! =) Good luck to everyone waiting....

Hey!

Anyone a May filer for their K-1 visa?

We sent our I-129F to VSC on May 14th and got out first NOA May 21st (I thought that was pretty good at the time). When we filed, the VSC processing time was at 44 days but now the VSC is at 63 days.... does this mean I need to aim for 63 days now or am I still good with 44 days (which is any day now) since that was my original processing time in May?

You definitely learn to have a lot of patience with this visa process. =)

The guides do tell you everything, but no you dont get a phone call. You do get a couple of letters though.

1. Thats your first NOA, it looks like everything is being sent to your lawyer.

2. Assuming you dont get an RFE, in about 44 days you will get another Notice of Action. This copy you need to keep. It will have your alien number on it. At that point its forwared to the NVC, an new case number is assigned to it. Then its forwarded to the embassy or consulate. The consulate will then contact either by mail, or email with packet 3 information. Each consulate does things its own way. You will recieve instructions or a checklist with packet 3.

Got it. Thanks. I've never personally met or talked to our attorney, he is actually from CA and my fiance has been the one dealing with him. We have a couple of other friends who were in the same situation as us and used this same attorney so we got good recomendation to use him.

Hi,

Im a Canadian Citizen enaged to my wonderful American Fiance. We've applied for our fiance visa through an attorney and we sent all of our information to Vermont in May. Two questions now:

1. We got an e-mail from our attorney last week saying that the "recieved date" was May 21st and he gave us a "Reciept Number"... is this our first NOA or is this something else?

2. Also, on the "Processing Times" page, it says that currently "Filing to I-129 NOA2 in Vermont is 44 days" ... what will happen in 44 days? Will we get a call to set up my interview in Montreal or...?

Sorry if these are really easy questions... I just cant seem to find the answer on this website. Thanks for the help!

~Abby

Fake isn't a really good term for it, non-legally binding ceremony would probably be better. Yes you can do that, but you have to look at the laws of the country/province you are going to have your ceremony in. In some places/countries, just having a ceremony, is legally binding. In other places a ceremony is legally binding only if you file for a marriage license and meet other requirements. And its certainly not illegal to have a non-legally binding ceremony.

On here, you will get different opinions on it. Technically according to the law, having a non-legally binding ceremony in your customs and traditions is perfectly fine. Though some people don't always understand, that just because you say a vow, doesn't necessarily make you legally married. All the K-1 visa is concerned with is a legally binding marriage, not a ceremony that you do for your church, friends or family.

A possible caveat you may need to be aware of is that even with a non-legally binding ceremony, your not technically married yet. So don't confuse any immigration officials. They may deny entry on a K-1 if they suspect that you are married. Don't wear rings until you are legally married and still call your partner your fiancee.

Yes but the OP is now talking about doing a K3 by getting "legally" married in Canada now and doing a "fake" ceremony in the States later. That's what confused me. Once you're legally married, there IS no fake ceremony later...its more of a renewal or reaffirmation of vows.

I think he or she means to have a courthouse wedding right away in canada to be able to file K-3 and have a ceremony for family and friends later. You can do that as well if its easier for you.

Maybe that's what she meant.

Yep, thats what I meant... sorry I'm not good with the terminology, I'm new to this =) So yes, I'm thinking that we should get "legally binded" at a courthouse now so that we can start the K-3 process and then have my big "ceremony" (with family and friends and not signing anything...) in a few months while this is all processing.

I know that I couldnt honeymoon in the USA but can I leave Canada and go to a different country (say somewhere in Europe) while my K-3 is processing?

Exactly... Why pay to fill in the forms you can get for free? Online sites wont give you any more info than you'll get here. Also no way of filing (yourself, lawyer, online site) is going to be any faster, since its all teh same process, no shortcuts.

I guess what I mean by "filing online" is... finding a lawyers website or someone who does this thing for you, like this website: http://www.fianceevisas.net/

The forms are fairly easy to understand and fill out. Many have stated on here that a lawyer really isn't necessary unless you have something complicated about your case. Some still do hire lawyers and wind up spending a lot more money than is really necessary. Some have horror stories of how their lawyer messed up their case and it caused a huge delay. All you need is your trusty little pen, a couple hours or so, and you can do this yourself. Really...it isn't that hard.

I guess I'm just confused because this page (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k3forms) lists all the forms that you need to download and fill out but I dont see where on the k-3 flowchart (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=k3flow) that these fit in... So my question is, do I need ALL these downloads? I know that I could probably do it myself but my fiance likes to have other people take care of it... lol.

We'd like to file online for our K-3 visa process. Has anyone done this before, what is a good site to do it through?

hmmm i didn't hear about filing online..... hope in the future

wish the same, u file online, they aprrove online, u download ur approved statments.done deal.

I know you cant file for a K visa online, I meant finding a lawyers website or someone who does this thing for you online, like this website: http://www.fianceevisas.net/

Exactly... Why pay to fill in the forms you can get for free? Online sites wont give you any more info than you'll get here. Also no way of filing (yourself, lawyer, online site) is going to be any faster, since its all teh same process, no shortcuts.

I guess what I mean by "filing online" is... finding a lawyers website or someone who does this thing for you, like this website: http://www.fianceevisas.net/

We'd like to file online for our visa. Has anyone done this before? Is it quicker/slower than doing it with a lawyer? What is a good site to file at?

Thanks!

We'd like to file online for our K-3 visa process. Has anyone done this before, what is a good site to do it through?

I'm a Canadian Citizen and I'm engaged to an American Citizen. I'm planning on moving to the USA once we are married. My fiance visited an Immigration Lawyer this morning and I have some questions. I'll basicully tell our story and ask questions in between.

We are planning on getting "legally married" within the next few weeks here in Canada, once we do that, my fiance will go back to the USA and file the I-130 at a Service Center in the states (correct... or in Canada?). Which Service Center is the fastest for the USA? Is it Vermont? Ok so once we file that, and get a "receipt" (what does this receipt mean? That they recieved it?) we can then file for the I-129 (which I assume incorportates the K-3). Does my fiance have to file this I-129 in Chicago? Once its approved in the USA, its sent to the Canadian Consulate... right? I'm assuming that once it gets to Canada I will be shortly approved for the K-3 and recieve notice of this. Are there any interviews that take place during this? Where would we have the interviews, in Canada or the USA? While we are waiting for the K-3 to be approved, can I travel to the USA? I have a childrens choir that I'm leading in July which takes place in the states, will I be able to do this?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to work everything out and make sure I'm doing it right before I file anything. Thanks so much for all the wisdome & help on these forums!

Thanks for all the help/advice everyone! My fiance is going to see an Immigration Lawyer tomorrow just to see what they say... I'll post again if we figure out a route to go!

Someone mentioned to me the other day that she (Canadian Citizen) is planning on going to the states, getting married (to her American Fiance) and applying for a "Spousal Support Visa"... I've tried to google to see what exactally this is but I cant figure it out. Is this the K-3 visa they are talking about or something completely different?'

Thanks!

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?

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!

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!

Thanks again for all the help. I understand that this isnt a fast 1 week operation to do, I'm just trying to figure out which option is the best for my situation. Does anyone know what the difference is between these visas (k-1 or k-3) and getting a green card through marriage? Is it longer/harder/easier?

Thanks!

Not too be rude, but if ur still asking what the difference between these two are, you most likely have not read the stickies on top of each of the sections!! take soem time and read over them.

I understand the differences between the K-1 and the k-3 visas... what I dont understand is the difference between the k-3 and the Green Card through marriage? As far as what I've read of both, they seem very similiar... why have 2 different options if they do the same thing?

Thanks again for all the help. I understand that this isnt a fast 1 week operation to do, I'm just trying to figure out which option is the best for my situation. Does anyone know what the difference is between these visas (k-1 or k-3) and getting a green card through marriage? Is it longer/harder/easier?

Thanks!

Thanks for all the help. I've read through the guides and FAQ... or at least tried to, it gets a bit confusing with all the different types of visas there are. After reading more about each visa, i think that I should get married "legally" in the US and then apply for the K-3 visa... If I do this say a month before our "ceremony", will I be able to have my ceremony in Canada? The K-3 said something about re-entry being ok... I think. Will I also be able to travel outside the US for my honeymoon?

Thanks for all the help! =)

I'm a Canadian Citizen I just got engaged a few weeks ago to an American CItizen and we have started to plan our wedding for September 2007. I'm not planning on living in the US till we get back from our honeymoon therefore I am thinking that I dont need a k-1 fiance visa. I've been reading through all the information on the guides & FAQ on this website and its helpful but parts of it are really confusing.

We want to have our ceremony with our friends & family in Canada and I've heard that its easier to get legal marriage documents from the US before September and then apply for the K-3 spousal visa. We want to go outside of the US for our honeymoon though, and as far as I've read, we can do this with the K-3 visa, is this right? Should we wait to apply for the the K-3 till after we get back from our honeymoon or does it matter when we apply for it?

Has anyone gone through a senario like this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

I'm a Canadian Citizen and I just got engaged to an American Citizen. I am planning on moving permanently to the US after we get married. We are planning on going outside the US for our honeymoon... I dont know if this causes any problems. What sort or visa/green card should I be looking into and when should I start filing for everything to live in the US with my husband-to-be after our wedding?

We are planning on having the ceremony in Canada for family & friends, does it make it easier if I get married "on paper" in a court of justice in the US before our "ceremony"?

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!