LandRStepp

I have to say I am so happy to be apart of this visaj family. I want to answer one question about my ties to Canada. I had a lot of proof I do have a place to live or go in BC whenever I am ready to go back there and yes its horrible what we have been through in BC but I would have to return after the 6 months or 1 depending how long I stayed in the US anyway. My son and I just wanted the break to let things settle in BC and so I can make some decisions but we haven't been allowed that. Now that I am in this situation and so upset the thought of going back to another nightmare isn't what I want to do right now nor do I feel strong enough. I had proof of my tuition paid and the courses I am taking in BC online which I take because i need to use a computer for my disabilities, I had proof of my disabilities as well and of my address as well as my phone bills etc. and I provided phone numbers to verify where my residence is in BC and where I was going in the US they just chose not to use them. On top of that they refused to listen to me about my disabilities. They made up their minds from moment one at both borders and there was no way I was going to cross even if I owned a home and was a millionaire they had my number and that was that. Yes my son is traumatized and doesn't deserve to be going through this but I am talking to him and supporting him as best as I can and showing him I have some strength left even though I am scared as hell. As far as working goes because of my disabilities I am not required to work in BC that is why I chose to go to school even so and see if I could have a career that won't be affected by my disabilities instead of giving in to them. I can't actually have a job at this time as well as be a single mom and go to school because of my health. They wouldn't listen to that and said I had to have a job well technically because I have an income going to school I have something I'm doing instead of a job but they wouldn't listen. They had a problem with me home schooling my son yet I have that right as a parent to do that but they didn't care even though it would be Canadian schooling and so is mine.

My situation right now is difficult and I have to decide whether to go back to BC and be judged and harrassed after this has happened or try to cross again or stay here start a life and be closer at least to my boyfriend who lives in South Carolina. As far as me traveling across Canada I couldn't afford to fly I could only afford a bus so when I went to buy tickets these were the only ones I could get, why they dragged us across Canada is a mystery to me ecept that all I can think is that its the Canadian Grey hound and so they make more money picking up and dropping off people who are traveling within Canada and across the border. I should have gone with my gut feeling and drove across the BC washington border that i have been traveling across all my life and caught a bus to SC in Seattle or Bellingham but I couldn't find anyone to drive us across the border. I never even thought of just renting a car but who knows how they would have reacted to that. I have a couple of days to make my decision because I paid for a week in this motel so I didn't have to rush with my decision. Everyone in the US want me to try again they are so upset about what has happened to us and very supportive more so than what we would face in BC. I am my sons rock and actually he is mine too lol he is a very good boy and together we will endure no matter what decision I make and that decision will have him on the top of my priority list.

I contacted our Canadian embassy in Buffalo and our local MP office here today and they said there is nothing they can do it is an American matter so I decided to be strong and take on a few battles over this. What I found out today is yes our Canadian borders can refuse Americans and I'm sure they are no angels either but they do not finger print, take mug shots because it is not our policy to do that yet at the American border we are treated like criminals. With this in mind I have contacted the Senetor of NY Chuck/Charles Schumer and if I don't hear back from him I will keep calling until I get some answers. I was never really told why I was turned away and why I was treated like a criminal in front of my 11 year old son accept that I didn't have all the documents listed on a piece a paper that I received after I tried crossing the border. When Canadians travel to the US and if we do a search as to what is required when we cross it doesn't say we need to go around carrying our personal and financial information in our back pockets. It says we need a passport so unless you are looking for what they asked me for we don't know. I am considering getting set up here but I am still not sure and will be discussing this with my boyfriend and like I say I have a lot of support in South Carolina and that is where we want to be for the time we are allowed. Thank you for your support here on VJ I am truly glad to have this site to turn to as well it takes away some of the loneliness. I will keep in touch and keep you informed of our progress and I still welcome any comments or questions especially if it will help anyone else and that is why I am sharing my story. All the best to all of you and please keep us in your prayers. . . . . . Leah

Well I just got off the phone with the American lawyer because our Canadian lawyers wont talk to me because it is an american issue and basically what she said is this: the 6 months canadians can visit is more for the retired people who have a home in a place like florida but have strong ties to Canada like a home, pensions and doctors to see. She said that the border guards were well within their right to refuse me if they for any reason felt I was going to migrate and I couldn't prove other wise. I explained to her I was not migrating I was going to visit and stay a month or up to 6 months to be with my girl friend who isn't well and for my boyfriend and I to decide if we want to get married (I didn't tell the border guards about my boyfriend basically I answered their questions truthfully but didn't volunteer any extra information). She said that I got lucky because I was not given any paper work saying I had been deported at the border or that I was banned for 5 years or life but she recommends I don't try to cross again. She also said without a degree or a lot of qualifications and an employer I don't qualify for any of the work visas. I said well I can't get an employer if I can't cross the border. She said that basically my boyfriend is going to have to marry me if I want to come to the US perminantly. She said he is going to have to come to Canada if we want to do the CR1 and marry me or I will have to apply for the K1 and he will have to come to Canada to visit me and I shouldn't attempt to go see him. She also said she doesn't recommend me trying to cross the border again unless we apply for a visa although I have heard of many that have. She also said her firm handles visas and would be more than happy to help us apply for our visa for $4500 not including the fees for the visa. She also said if I decide to cross the border again (which she did not recommend) to contact her first and let her know what documentation I have and she will tell me whether I have enough. Basically if you are poor and don't have a large sum of money in your bank account, don't own a home and don't have a job they can refuse you at the border. I explained to her I have a disability and that I am unable to work in most employment areas and that I am a student trying to complete a degree in order to have a career and that I showed them that at the border and she said without a letter from my school and my doctor stating I could not work that what I had wasn't enough even though I had receipts and a report from a specialist. She also said that this does not affect me applying for a visa but that if I push it and cross again and get banned then it would.

My boyfriend is afraid to cross into Canada in case the same thing happens to him. I haven't told him what the lawyer said yet because he just got off work from a graveyard shift and is sleeping but I know he will be very upset as I am. I was hoping to stay longer than a month and maybe stay up to 6 months so him and I could decide if and when to get married during that time and then I would return back to Canada. All we wanted was some time together to get to know each other in person because we met online. I was not planning on migrating during that trip or doing anything illegal but the border guards didn't see it that way and now my life is a mess. My son and I also needed a break from BC due to problems with my ex and the problems where we lived and I hoped that by the time we returned the problems would have settled down in BC. Now we are stuck in a town in Ontario and I truly don't know what to do or where to go. I have no family that can help me and my boyfriend is American so there isn't much he can do either. My son was traumatized by all of this and he doesn't deserve to go through this. To be honest I feel alone, depressed, scared, and confused and I don't know whether to believe what that lawyer told me. I need help but I don't know where to turn. Anyway I want to thank all of you for your support hank you all help and if you have any other suggestions I am more that willing to listen.

All the best,

LandRstepp

My goodness unfortunately I'm not alone in my experience and if I had known about NY I would have crossed at my local border. I didn't understand why I had to be taken across Canada in order to get to where I was going but its too late to change that now. I have been traveling to the US since I was a child and I have never been harrassed nor have I heard of this happening before.

I know I have a decision to make before I run out of money the truth is I want to go and see my boyfriend and spend time with my friend. My son and I need a break from everyone in BC because they are judging me for having an american boyfriend. Since January we have been through so much hell from people interfering in my life and jumping to conclusions so this time away was the answer for us until I got to the US border and now the nightmare continues. I have tried to cross twice now and was rejected. The second time the guard advised me not to cross again unless I have everything on the list and more.

I appreciate all the responses so much so thank you to all of you. I get to have a consultation on the phone with an American lawyer tomorrow morning for $250 and my boyfriend and I have talked on the phone putting together all the questions I should ask. I will keep you posted as to what is said and the advice I get. I have also found a phone number to a local member of parliament so I'm going to see if they can help me as well. I'm so tired I have dark rings under my eyes so wish me luck and I'll be in touch.

Well I have to say it is so wonderful to have so much support thats why as soon as I got situated with my computer I contacted VJ right away. What I'm afraid of now is that I won't be able to be with my American boyfriend. My son is traumatized my friend who was expecting us is worried, people in BC are panicking, my boyfriend is upset and I am a mess. If I go all the way back to BC I have to start over in order to get to the US which means another 4 day trip after 3 days traveling home but here where I am I'm only 13 hrs from my destination in the US. This is all very expensive and even if we don't go there to visit how is this going to affect us if we decide to get married and apply for a visa? I was told today I can only deal with an American lawyer and was advised who to talk to but I'm afraid of the cost. To be honest I am lost for answers my son and I are in a motel room that cost $385 for the week if we go anywhere we have to go by taxi we don't know our way around or people in Ontario. I will tell you this the NY border at Niagara Falls is the worst border and the Buffalo one at Frt Erie is just as bad please if you are going to cross make sure you have everything with you. Everywhere you look the requirements for us Canadians to cross at the American border is only a valid passport or what represents a passport for traveling by sea and air even for children but traveling by land all adults require a valid passport but children 15 and under are only required to have a birthcirtificate and custody papers or a letter from the father. The average Canadian traveling across the US border doesn't know they need the following papers because it isn't included in the requirements that are advertised so they not only have that as a sneak attack but also as a way of misusing their authority. Here are the requirements:

Evidence of employment - receent pay stubs, employee ID, letter from employer

Proof of Foreign Residence - recent rent receipts, copy of mortgage, utitlity bills

Evidence of Financial support - bank statements, savings and checking account statements, income tax report forms etc.

Evidence of Financial Assistance - receipts or government correspondence of unemployment insureance, mother's assistance, welfare, disability

Evidence of Educational Ties - Valid school identification, letter from school officials on school letterhead

Utility bills

Income tax return forms - current and past year

Confirmed return date - airline tickets, train or bus that are date specific

Sufficient funds for intended trip - cash or traveler's cheques

Contact name of family member, friend or individual who you, the passengers, is/are travelling to see in the US

Address and/or telephone number where you can be reached in the US

I provided most of this but not all of it I was missing the rent receipts so I provided a contact number to verify where I was living when I returned from the US. I also provided them with change of address receipts. The other thing I did not have was my income tax returns for the past 2 years but I did have my child tax form which showed my income for the previous year and finally I didn't have a job because I was honest with them and explained I had to leave my job because I am a student they wouldn't let me finish saying that my doctor wanted me to quit due to my disabilities and I had my medical report with me and finally I did have recent pay stubs with me but they wouldn't accept them. As a student I have an income which was student loans and bursaries which I profided proof of and my tuition receipts, I provided them with a print out of my bank account and the funds available which was more than enough to live on for a month. These border guards have the authority and power to ban us for no or any reason and will do so if they want to. Right now I am stuck and don't know what to do or where to turn and my boyfriend is helpless to help me because if he crosses the border to pick me up he could end up facing problems as well and we don't need both of us with a red flag on our names. Being red flagged means anytime they type in your name the info comes up about you and that your finger prints have been taken and picture. I just pray I can have my name cleared but at this point I do not see how that is possible. I live with the fear of them putting me in jail as well. I love my boyfriend with all my heart and he loves me and we are being kept apart by power hungry border guards who have nothing better to do than to ruin peoples lives and its wrong. Yes 9/11 was horrible but us Canadians do not deserve to be punished for it. . . . . LandR

I want to tell my story here and I hope no one has been through this. My fiance and I have been on visa journey and we were going to get married but after some problems with family among other things we decided to wait. I made arrangements to go and spend some time where he is and get to know a female friend and spend some time with him for about a month and if I changed my mind I knew I had 6 months legally as long as I could support my son and I while being in the US. So I set it up so I had a place to stay and sent money to visit there for a month and I would go from there.

My son and I set out on our journey and after all we had been through over the past 9 months (very hard times) we were excited for the trip and the time away and I was going to help my friend because she hasn't been well. For some reason greyhound decided to sell us a ticket that meant we travel across Canada and cross the border at NY city. This didn't make sence to me because we lived right beside the Washington border which I had been traveling through since I was a child, but it was the cheapest way to travel so I bought the tickets. We went on our 3 day journey with very little sleep but excited just the same until we got to the border. The officials sent our bus on and made my son and I sit there until we were the last people for them to deal with. I had return tickets for October 12th my passport and (children under 15 don't require a passport for land travel) my son's birthcirtificate and my custody papers which I had already given to him and we had our luggage. Then I was called up. I have always just had to produce ID at the border or my passport. I have no criminal record and have done nothing wrong in Canada or the US. I'm a single mom, student and have some disabilities that are not visible. The border guard then threw my tickets at me and said where is the return date on here. I looked and he was right there weren't any. When I bought the return tickets they had to be hand written because the computer wouldn't allow them to be printed. I had told the person who sold me the tickets that I'd be returning on October 12th but for some reason he didn't put that on them. Even so the tickets were paid for and very valid because then they were considered an open ended ticket allowing me the option of staying longer or a shorter period of time.

Next thing I knew I was being interigated and they asked what proof I had that I was going to return to Canada. I told him for one thing I have two children and my other son is there in high school and I told him I am a student at a Canadian university and so on. I gave him phone numbers to verify where I live in Canada and where I was going to be staying in the US that wasn't good enough and he refused to call. I was of course denied entrance into the US and was finger printed and had my picture taken. I started to cry and say why are you treating me like a criminal and the female guard said I shouldn't be upset because my son would get the wrong impression about them and what was going on I said I have no idea what is going on and I'm exhasted.

So they ordered me a cab and sent us back to Canada. I asked the guard if I could still cross the border and he said yes but I had to have all the documents listed on this paper and if I didn't have them I could be refused again. Well now that they had red flagged me I had no idea what I was in for. I was taken to a motel and dropped off after paying 35 dollars for the cab. I then went to greyhound in Niagra falls ontario where I have never been before and thousands of miles from my home and had my tickets repaired and I looked through all my stuff and I had sufficient paper work to provide them proof. The bus ticket sales fellow told me my tickets were still valid and so I should try again because this bus would be going through buffalo and I said ok. So away we went only to be treated even worse at the next border. The guard sent our bus on and interigated me, I told him what I was doing and asked me what had changed and I said I have the information you require and he laughed at me he had already seen them at this point. The female guard beside him said are you taking her upstairs he said yup and next thing I new I was told to follow him with my son. Just before that he told me that him and his supervisor didn't believe my story and that I had a choice to either tell the truth and only be told to stay out of the US for a short time or stick to my story and be banned for life and he said I could think about it. So after we moved he called me up and asked me what I had decided. I told him basically you want me to lie to you so I won't get such a harsh punishment or stick to my story and you will bann me? I then said I refuse to lie to you and I am sticking to my story and if you choose to follow through with you threats I will be getting a lawyer, talking to my Canadian government and seeking help he said fine was angry then sent me over to sit down. Next thing I new I was being finger printed again and my picture was being taken. I was given everything back except my passport they called me a taxi and when we got outside he handed my passport to the taxi driver for us to go through the canadian border and said to me take my advice next time you try and cross into the US make sure you have all your paperwork that is required and don't try and cross again without it. I was basically left in the dark with no real reason as to why they treated me like this but because there is a red flag on me in their system I will now be hassled every time I try to cross the border and will be lucky to get across. I had provided them with proof of my courses I had paid for, over $4500 in my bank account to live on and money that would be coming in monthly as well. I also provided them with the phone numbers to where I live in BC and where I was going. I went through the list and had everything they required except my income tax papers for 2 years and a rent receipt but the phone number instead to the person who was renting to me. He also refused to call the numbers.

I am devastated, when I crossed our Canadian border the guards were very upset by what happened both times. So I sit here not knowing what to do. I've called our international trade and canadian diplomatic counselors service and they said they couldn't help me because I was safe in Canada. I then called the head at the US customs and Border - Mr. Garara and he didn't like how I was treated but would do nothing about it but told me the process I could go through to report them for what they had done to my son and I which basically is a bunch of stupid red tape. He asked me why I didn't ask to speak to their supervisor and I said I was afraid they were already threatening to bann me for life.

So I thought I would tell you all what happened and I hope this hasn't happened to many people but I am very angry and I plan to find a lawyer and I may go to the media. This is unacceptable treatement but they have the power to do what they want to people with no real reprocussions for their actions. We have treaties with the US and we are their neighbours yes I understand we don't have the right to just go there and live the rest of our lives and we have to follow rules and processes but I didn't deserve to be treated that way because I didn't do anything wrong. My son and are now stranded in Fort Erie Ontario in a motel where we can see the border with no way home because my tickets are non refundable and are only to be used on Oct 12th. I not only cannot get home but I am paying a fortune for a motel room and running out of money. My name is mud for no reason and I can't get across the border unless I have all the documents they require but even if I do I am most likely going to be refused anyway especially if the border guard is having a bad day. I have no idea what to do we are alone here and I am very angry hopefully a lawyer will be able to give me some advice.

Is the biologial father listed on the child BC? If so then the below applies.

If you choose any route either the embassy or the NVC they will want to have a current document from the father ( yeah sorry ) stating he is allowing the child to immigrate to the US. This may complicate matter immensly for you. Will he allow the child to come?

Good Luck my dear

You have 3 options:

1.- File for K-1 fiancee non immigratn visa (in all cases you would add our son to this of coursE). Come to the US when the visa is granted; get married within 90 days; the n adjust stauts. You would interview in Vancouver.

2.- Get married and file a K-3 non imigrant spousal visa. Also interviews in Vancouver and has to do the Adjustment of Status once you are here.

3.- Get married and file for a CR-1 immigrant visa (the best type) May take a little longer but the best in the long run

Oh, and you will need permission from the kid's fahter to move him to the ?US --- do you have that? custody arrangements, etc?

I have sole custody of my son and his father is not in the picture and hasn't been since he was really little so I hope I don't still have to hunt him down that would be a pain! Do you know if I need to if I have custody?

I have sole custody of my son and his father hasn't been around since he was a baby and he's 11 years old or paid child support do you think they will still want a letter from the father?

I'm happy to say we made a decision that we are going to get married and do the CR1. Yeah! a decision we based our decision on what we need as far as our situation. We just have to wait for his divorced to be final OMG what a drag but we'll get through it.

No, 6 months is the maximum. You are supposed to spend at least equal amount of time out of the US as you are in the US. As well, more than 6 months in the US, then the IRS considers you fair game and you are required to file an income tax return in the US as well or prove to them that you have maintained closer ties to Canada than to the US.

You will still need to prove to the border official that you are only a visitor even for 6 months. That can be a challenge providing proof of ties to Canada as ties generally consist of employment, property responsibilities and ongoing financial liabilities in Canada. 6 months is a long time to be away from those.

Very good points I never thought of all that. Do I have to apply for a visa as a visitor because I thought Canadians can just cross the boarder and visit for a 6 month period?

No visa is required, you just need to be mindful of the factors Kathryn has outlined for you. Successfully crossing while declaring you intend to stay for 6 months is possible, but can be challenging. If you are asked for proof of ties and cannot produce any, chances are you will be denied entry. I would be prepared with a backup plan! Either way, I wish you luck!

thank you both for your responses and I want to do everything properly because I don't want to risk being denied when we do our CR1. I spoke with my fiance and we have decided together to do the CR1 after we are married.

No, 6 months is the maximum. You are supposed to spend at least equal amount of time out of the US as you are in the US. As well, more than 6 months in the US, then the IRS considers you fair game and you are required to file an income tax return in the US as well or prove to them that you have maintained closer ties to Canada than to the US.

You will still need to prove to the border official that you are only a visitor even for 6 months. That can be a challenge providing proof of ties to Canada as ties generally consist of employment, property responsibilities and ongoing financial liabilities in Canada. 6 months is a long time to be away from those.

Very good points I never thought of all that. Do I have to apply for a visa as a visitor because I thought Canadians can just cross the boarder and visit for a 6 month period?

When visiting the US as long as I live in Canada and can prove it can I stay longer than the 6 months before they question things? How long do I have to wait before I can come back for another 6 months? Because the CR1 is where I'm leaning over the k1 (depending on what my fiance says) I have to have my interview in Montreal which is close to where he lives but if I have to go back after the 6 months Vancouver is closer. This is why I need to know about the visiting for 6 months. Any help will be so much appreciated. Thank you so much!

The k1 should be the fastest route!! "should be" is the key term,lol, when it comes to immigration, nothing is nornmal,lol But to keep things simple, the k1 should be the fastest route

With any of the visas, you CAN visit!! So if you do the cr-1 and want to visit for up to 6 months, go for it! Its all up to the port of entry (POE) officer to let you in or not. Many of us visited with no problems--ensure you bring ties to canada (ie letter from employer, bills, mortgage/lease agreement, immigration paperwork))

in that link I posted before, it gave you the + and - of each visa, ENSURE you look over that. k1 you HAVE toget married in the USA AFTER the interview. and of course with the cr-1 you already have to be married, but can do that in the USA or canada. CR-1 has a lot less restrictions than the k1, again, look over that link I previously posted.

thank you so much to both of you the more I think about it the more the CR1 looks appealing I'll talk to my fiance and see what he says. I did read over the link you sent and we are going to go over it together he's working nights and long hours but hopefully we can go over it tonight. Getting closer to a decision YEAH!

Our CR-1 took 9 months, which is about average, K-1's, I dunno they seem close, I guess it depends on where you interview and which service center. we had california. i'd start looking at stats, though i will say, when we filed, california was taking longer, then something happened where they started going faster. obv cr-1's are cheaper, but k-1's do tend to be a bit faster. since you have a child, consider the costs involved with the AOS. i

if you k-1, you have to get married in the US. any other option, doesn't matter. more recent filers can give you a timeline, or you can check it out how fast they're going on the stats pages. as far as safety concerns, get a restraining order

I tried the restraining order and I was turned down because of lack of evidence. Go figure he can smash the wondow in my truck put sand in the radiator but because the police didnt' fingure print I'm left out in the cold. I really appreciate you help it looks like the CR1 is a good idea because I can visit for 6 months so we'll see!

I have been reading a lot of stuff on here and what you have all put yet my fiance and I still can't decide. If we do the CR1 we get married and then I would have to come back to Canada for a long time right? If we do the k1 we wait for it to be approved which could take just as much time as the CR1 or less time? then we would have 3 months to get married am I on the right track? So really other than price your still apart possibly for the same amount of time just not after marriage which by the way I wouldnt like to be away from him after we are married but we will do what it takes if it gets me there with him permanently faster. Timing is our priority. I need to be in the US as soon as I can get there not just because of my fiance but other reasons as well to do with my ex here in Canada its more of a safety concern and I have a son (not ex'es child). The other question I have is does it matter if we get married in Canada or the US?

Is the biologial father listed on the child BC? If so then the below applies.

If you choose any route either the embassy or the NVC they will want to have a current document from the father ( yeah sorry ) stating he is allowing the child to immigrate to the US. This may complicate matter immensly for you. Will he allow the child to come?

Good Luck my dear

You have 3 options:

1.- File for K-1 fiancee non immigratn visa (in all cases you would add our son to this of coursE). Come to the US when the visa is granted; get married within 90 days; the n adjust stauts. You would interview in Vancouver.

2.- Get married and file a K-3 non imigrant spousal visa. Also interviews in Vancouver and has to do the Adjustment of Status once you are here.

3.- Get married and file for a CR-1 immigrant visa (the best type) May take a little longer but the best in the long run

Oh, and you will need permission from the kid's fahter to move him to the ?US --- do you have that? custody arrangements, etc?

I have sole custody of my son and his father is not in the picture and hasn't been since he was really little so I hope I don't still have to hunt him down that would be a pain! Do you know if I need to if I have custody?

I have sole custody of my son and his father hasn't been around since he was a baby and he's 11 years old or paid child support do you think they will still want a letter from the father?

I have sole custody but with a CR1 would my son have derivitive status or would my fiance have to file separate for him like with the IR1? Thank you so much for all the replies we care getting closer to a decision but not quite there yet. If the CR1 is the most economical route and has more benefits than the k3 I'd like to go that route but what is the better way to go compared to a K1?

We are confused my fiance and I have done a lot of research and we have found that there are a lot of contradictions. I am from British Columbia Canada and want to move to the US and marry my fiance. I need to leave BC as soon as possible and like everyone else here I want to be with him as soon as possible but I have an added reason why I need to leave. Because of my ex and people he has teemed up with they are making mine and my son's life very difficult here (my ex is not the father of my son). My fiance is worried about us and we want to be with him and have a fresh start and get away from the constant fear and stress of living here. I don't want to do anything illegal but need to know the best way for us to get there and as soon as possible. I welcome any of your opinions and help.

Hi L&R,

Bottom line, since you live in BC and your number 1 priority is moving to the U.S. as quickly as possible - file for the K1 visa (K2 for your Son). It costs more (because you have to adjust your status once you arrive in the U.S.) but it is faster because you are able to do your interview in Vancouver and they schedule faster than Montreal (all CR1 visas have to interview in Montreal).

I really appreciate your advice thank you to both of you. If we apply for a CR1 or a k1 at what point would I be allowed to live in the US? My point is I would rather fly to Montreal for the interview if I am in the states than stay here and wait. I thought of applying for a visa that would get me into the US and then doing the CR1 but I've been told that is illegal and I don't want to do anything illegal or to jeaparize things and end up deported back to Canada. Can Canadians still visit the US for up to 6 months without a visa or do we have to have a visitor's visa? Using that would not be to become a citizen and get married it would be to temporarily leave and let things settle here and then come back while the k1 is being applied for and we would be with my God mother in Washington close to where I live not with my fiance who is 3000 miles away. I never new you could only interview in Montreal for the CR1 that is important to know.

You have 3 options:

1.- File for K-1 fiancee non immigratn visa (in all cases you would add our son to this of coursE). Come to the US when the visa is granted; get married within 90 days; the n adjust stauts. You would interview in Vancouver.

2.- Get married and file a K-3 non imigrant spousal visa. Also interviews in Vancouver and has to do the Adjustment of Status once you are here.

3.- Get married and file for a CR-1 immigrant visa (the best type)

Oh, and you will need permission from the kid's fahter to move him to the ?US --- do you have that? custody arrangements, etc?

I have sole custody of my son and his father is not in the picture and hasn't been since he was really little so I hope I don't still have to hunt him down that would be a pain! Do you know if I need to if I have custody?

We are confused my fiance and I have done a lot of research and we have found that there are a lot of contradictions. I am from British Columbia Canada and want to move to the US and marry my fiance. I need to leave BC as soon as possible and like everyone else here I want to be with him as soon as possible but I have an added reason why I need to leave. Because of my ex and people he has teemed up with they are making mine and my son's life very difficult here (my ex is not the father of my son). My fiance is worried about us and we want to be with him and have a fresh start and get away from the constant fear and stress of living here. I don't want to do anything illegal but need to know the best way for us to get there and as soon as possible. I welcome any of your opinions and help.

Thank you very much for responding to my post all of you. My boyfriend and I have been very confused by the research we have done because there seems like there are so many contradictions. So I will look at the guides and I definately don't want to do anything illegal. I am desparate to leave here there is no doubt but when I leave I don't want to have to come back so the priority is to do everything the right way but as soon as possible. Unfortunately I'm sure the government doesn't speed things up for someone who is having problems in their life no matter how desparate. I will keep reading and researching and seeking advice here until we have something worked out. I thought things had changed since the new enforcements have been put in place at the borders about us Canadians crossing so I thought we needed a visitors visa. I am still very confused and hopefully we will get some more answers here. Thanks again to all of you!

thank you for telling me that because I didn't know I still have a lot to figure in my position to. I have had so much bad advice from lawyers trying to get my money. But I did beleive that they still would have to go home if not thats great!

Sincerely,

LeahandRobert Stepp

Just a note why use an f1 when you have to go home for 2 years it doesn't make sense to me. I just think you should do the k1. Just my opinion but the government will turn you down for the littlest things. I say don't mess with it take the k1 and go to school when your done. I have researched until I'm almost blind from reading trying to find a way to be with my fiance and because i am a student here in Canada I was going to go that route before we decided we wanted to be together until I found out you have to go home for 2 years. Anyway good luck and hope what ever you decide everything goes really well for you!

LandRStepp, 2 year rule only applies if you don't change status after your studies are done. If you change in the process (like we want to do) to say, K1 because it can be done in parallel, then you don't have any problem - F1 will just be invalidated as soon as you receive K1 and all its provisions will be void.

I am from Canada and my boyfriend is American. We want to be together like everyone else but we don't know how to go about it. He has a good job so we want to get married and live in the US. What I want to know is what visa to choose. In order for me to go there soon I was thinking of applying for a visitor's visa and spending time with him and then getting married and then we would apply for a CR-1. What we want is for me to be able to stay in the US and not have to return to Canada. There is a reason for that not just because we want to be together but also things are very bad here for my youngest son and I because of my ex and others that have teamed up to ruin my life. For my son's safety and mine I need to leave/disappear. My boyfriend is worried about us and we need a fresh start. I also thought of the k1 but I have to stay here until its approved I think. Anyway I have researched and researched until now I am so confused I'm turning to anyone of you that can help and give us some advice. I hope someone can help.

Just a note why use an f1 when you have to go home for 2 years it doesn't make sense to me. I just think you should do the k1. Just my opinion but the government will turn you down for the littlest things. I say don't mess with it take the k1 and go to school when your done. I have researched until I'm almost blind from reading trying to find a way to be with my fiance and because i am a student here in Canada I was going to go that route before we decided we wanted to be together until I found out you have to go home for 2 years. Anyway good luck and hope what ever you decide everything goes really well for you!