JustJanis

OP, it's just sad that you two as a couple were not responsible as far as doing the process by the book. As a result, you are in a horrible situation & I wish you good luck.

I have recently returned to Canada with my husband (as huggles stated). You can start the application process from the US if you like, or you can do the whole thing once you are in Canada. Unlike the US, Canada will allow your spouse to stay with you during the process.
If you are not living in Canada and applying 'outland' you will have to provide proof that you intend to reside in Canada (so a lease agreement for when you plan on returning).
As previous posters stated that there is no income requirement for sponsoring your spouse, but they do ask for financial information. We applied 'inland' and I had to submit my last years "option C print out" (basically a tax transcript) and all my t4's w2's etc. I also had to submit a letter from my employer that gave my income details and how long I have been working there.
There is a quite a bit of paperwork, but unlike the US, you submit everything all at once and then wait!
Currently it is taking about 14 months for approval via outland. If you choose to apply inland it is taking about 16 months, however once your sponsorship application is approved they will issue an open work visa while the PR application is being processed. It is taking about 5 months for sponsorship to be approved via inland. (it is about 3 months via outland, but you don't get the work permit when you apply outland).
There are some really helpful folks over on the roadtocanada site, but it is not nearly as busy as VJ so you may have to wait for a day or so to get a reply to a question.
If you need any more info just send me a PM
Good Luck

I know what you are talking, so sad... hoping you will find the way to figure it out good luck girl

You will lose your green card in the us.
When I was considering this, I was looking at these forums:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/index.php
There is no affidavit of support for canada as spousal visas require no minimum amount earned, just FYI

Check out this thread called "Yes, You Can Visit!" http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/
To the above post: the OP is just thinking ahead.... thinking about once they file they can still visit like before... not doing something malicious. Relax.

Entry into the US is entirely up to the officer at the POE. In my case I was able to come to the US from Canada and back several times as well as from Canada to Japan and US to Japan and back to the US all while awaiting our K1 visa application acceptance. I personally just had to answer a few questions (it seemed that Homeland Security had already started to do security checks and the officer knew I was going through the process - perhaps it came up on the computer system) but it is recommended that you bring proof of a return ticket, all your K1 application process paperwork showing that you are going through the legal channels and for some they say bringing proof of ties to your home country like rent receipt, hydro bill, proof of employment - I didn't have these because I quit my job and moved to my mom's and am in the US until a week before my interview in Vancouver but I was not asked for them. Be honest, answer questions but don't offer too much information or babble. Good luck to her and enjoy your visit.

POE was so eaaasy. I cant imagine a better life than the one in living right now... we are so crazy in love and finally living together!

VISA APPROVED!!!
I was very anxious untill I heard the news. Mario said it was the easiest part thus far. He got there early and didnt bring electronics that way they let them in ahead of the others with electronics. Once inside he spoke with a very nice lady who took his birth certificate and copy along with the I-134 and all supporting documents for that. Gave all originals back after looking at copies. Then he was asked to sit and wait to be called again. A nice gentlemen called his name, he went to window and was asked only 2 questions: 1) When did you meet. 2) When did you last see eachother. That was it he looked at pictures that were sent in with proof for I-129F and did not look at one piece of evidence Mario had prepared not even new pictures of our last meeting in April. He then told Mario he was approved and would get his visa in the mail. THAT WAS IT, WOW!!

OK, you need to take a deep breath, calm down, and then - read the instructions for K1 carefully, multiple times.
1. You do not need to be in a relationship for two years before being able to file - people file for the K1 after weeks of dating. You can file at any time, but you have to be able to show that you have met IN PERSON within the past two years from when you file.
2. You CANNOT get married before filing, if you want to go the K1 fiance visa route. It is called a "fiance visa" for a reason - if you marry first, then you would apply for a spousal visa - entirely different process. The K1 will allow the foreign fiance to enter the US, and then marry the US citizen within 90 days from arrival. If you are already married, the foreigner is no longer a fiance.
3. Yes, there are fees included to any immigrant process, no matter which route you take. When you say "he did not tell me that he had to pay.." - who are you referring to? A lawyer? Your future husband?
If you just send in the I-129f form, without any of the additional forms or supportive documentation and without the correct fees, it will be rejected, and you will need to file it again.

If I were the OP, I would ignore all previous responses. The above is the information you need. Alternatively, you could marry first, in Russia. This would enable you to use YOUR "assets" as part of the affidavit of support in a spouse visa process.
Thoughts yes. Helpful? Absolutely not.

Respond to the RFE with what they are asking for - resist the temptation to include 'extra' stuff they did not ask for.

APPROVED ! ! ! ! ! ! !
On May 11, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)
GOOD IS GOD!!! All the positive thinking, the praying and leaving it all to the hands of God !!! Before our 4 months mark!!!!!

I had to ask Chris several times if I was reading it right!!
Diana!!!!!!!!

Exactly. I agree with the above posters.
There's never a need to be judgmental and condescending. That's not what these boards are for. It's not the first time I've seen a post like this from that user, though, unfortunately.
I wish if people had nothing helpful or supportive to add, they'd just keep quiet.

Long Form = BC WITH parental information

Just got a text message that my case statas has changed. Low and behold a 2nd approval from Vermont in 139 days that's 2 weeks before the 5 month mark.

That is so good to know about Vancouver!! Thanks Steve!!

Just returned from my second visit to the US since the NOA1. Both times I said I was visiting my fiance and there wasn't a problem. The first time I was asked when we were getting married and I said when our visa process is complete, hopefully in the fall. I had a copy of the NOA1 and ties to Canada but haven't been asked or questioned about any of that. My advice would be to my honest and look them in the eye. I'm sure it will be fine. Good luck and have a good vacation!

Based on other things I have read, I would be 100% honest and just bring document of ties to Germany. Being honest about proceeding with K1 visa and having the NOA1 with you shows you are doing things the right way and avoids any chance they may think you are trying to put one past them.

Lucy you are Venting with Frustration and thats OK. Members are afraid to post in fear it will hurt you more to give thoughts. Well, I'll try and be Constructive and not do that. I read you post 20 times before I wrote. (Trying to read your mind as best as I can) I assume that there is a working Spouse. I assume that is you. I know married men that let thier wifes work and do nothing all day but they ask thier wife for an Allowance to get beer and ciggarettes until she she gets home from work. I have also heard these Married men say "It's a Paycheck". They never really were able to hold a job and they did it on purpose. They made the Wife feel good for a few days and Brag to co-workers he got a job "AGAIN" . Looking at your post: I'm sorry but are you sure not not being a Mother Figure. Maybe thats why this is going wrong. You said: WE put in Applications. Please don't tell me you fill them out and go to Interveiws with him. Who Pays for the Schooling? Not Free. Your Timeline indicates you spent alot of money to pass through all these whoops of USCIS and this is your Pay-Off. Not Acceptable I see. Something needs to happen but it should be on his part. Their is no Predudice in having a name Mohamad. It is an excuse. McDonalds might even name a cheeseburger the Mohamad Burgur. Work on the Marridge. To Love, Hold, Cherrish. You get the point.

Oh my god, guys!! I checked the VSC list again this morning and my jaw dropped lol. So many people updated their timelines today/yesterday! 34 approvals this week so far and that doesn't even count today! There were 14 alone on Thursday, the 14th! Plus, it's all mostly October filers now, and...even 8 November filers already!! I really really hope they keep things up like that so that even us VSC filers can expect their NOA's by June/beginning of July *prays*

As we all know the Vermont Service Center as it stands today is:
30 days slower than the California Service Center "CSC"
71 days slower than the Texas Service Center "TSC"
For me, it is most frustrating since I am in Texas.
Had my case not been transfered to Vermont, I would have NOA2 by now.
Everyone has their story, and for that matter their own perspective. So, please allow me to address those who are satisfied with the system as it stands now; If you don't believe in our movement, please just disregard our topic, and please do not divert our energy by engaging any of our posters by submiting contrary opinions, philosophies or beliefs. If you disagree with our topic, please just move-on. To all of those part of the movement, just disregard any posters that try to engage you negatively.
We must stay focussed.
So that said...
Please allow this to serve as the official kick-off to the "K1Vermonters" movement.
To all those who's k1/k3 is in queue to be adjudicated at the Vermont Service Center:
1. If you wait to take action until you've hit the 6 month mark you might be in for a nasty surprise. If USCIS extends what is known as "Outside of Normal Processing Time" (ONPT) from 5 months to 6 months, you might have to wait 7 months before you can submit an "expeditious processing request". USCIS will allow a petitioner to submit an expeditious processing request once their application exceeds 30 days ONPT. But if that threshold is pushed out from 5 months to 6, we will ALL be in a worse position -- WE MUST ACT NOW
2. If you think there's nothing that you can do, that we/you can't make a difference; I promise that's not true -- TODAY ALONE WE MADE A HUGE NOISE on Twitter -- WE MUST ACT NOW
3. Just blogging on VJ (here) might be comforting and provide an outlet for frustration, but in the end it has no effect on USCIS processing times. You can continue to enjoy and chronicle/document your timeline, but I encourage you to put at least some energy into our movement, you never know where your case will be down the road -- WE MUST ACT NOW
4. Even if you are not in the VSC, if your service center starts to backlog and there's no repercusion for the administrative staff, you might find yourself where we K1Vermonters are.. DELAYED -- WE MUST ACT NOW
5. No matter what your situation is, I encourage you to join our movement, to change processing times for current k1 petitioners and future petitioners. -- WE MUST ACT NOW
How and Why must we "ACT NOW"?
Why..
- As the "K1Vermonters" our movement has momentum - we were in the top groups today alone "tweeting" @BarackObama
How..
-Get on Twitter and create a profile
- Write messages to:
@USCIS
@BarackObama
Members of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Membership:
@eltongallegly24 @dan_lungren @JudgeTedPoe @zoe4congress @RepHowardBerman @RepJacksonLee @MaxineWaters
- Always keep your messages under 40 characters
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: **ALWAYS INCLUDE "#K1Vermonters" in your Tweet. The latter is the list name that currently has momentum and to which we need to continue to add momentum
- Tweet at least 5 times per day ..think of it as a picket line, a strike. Remember the old days? This is how we do it now.
- Answer other posts/posters on VJ by redirecting them to our movement/topic
If anybody has something to add, please contribute.
May God help us all get our loved ones to our dear country!

hi all Vermont K1 fillers. you can see that i have a lot of time and distance. so im killing it!!
this is what i did. i installed google earth on my pc. now its version 6 beta. they have added some new futures but one of this it is particularly interesting to us who have eyes and ears to Vermont. so if you open google earth and search for "USCIS Vermont" it will show you the building where those escargots and turtles are working on our K1's.(no offense to animals).now if you click the clock icon on the top bar "show historical imagery" you can see the same building and the parking lot in different times. 6 shots are available starting from 99, 03, 04, 08, 09 and 2010. my favorite one its 2004. very clear shot and you can count the cars on the parking lot. :) nearly 140 cars are parked that day. it must be around 9-11 o'clock in the morning judging from the shadow on trees. so its a full working day for our loveley USCIS adjudicator officers. now... not all the cars there belong to "people who make couples happy" but let say in 140 cars must be 50 of them who works on files. from this 50 lets say 10 who only works on K1...hmmm ok... 15 who works on K1... happy now!! WHERE IS MY NOA2???
i must say here that the the number of cars parked there its +/- the same throughout years. the most desolating image from this building comes from January 1 2010. its a day off, and has been snowing. so i think now to all that snow that fell this winter (( and the days off...
i have a question for you: can escargots drive cars? ))
to all K1 Vermont out there. hang on... we will make it. we just need to use a little bit more sense of humor to end our endless days )

Great news I'm hoping my fiance gets the hardcopy by the beginning or middle of next week, then.
Well looking at your timeline, the approximate adjudication date is between July 9-July 15, 2011. Based on recent statistics, that is. I'm trying to keep my shred of hope that things will pick up again
And about the RFE, it looks like people on VJ got RFE's even across or somewhere close to their 5 months mark, but usually once the requested evidence was sent in, the NOA2 came not much long after. At least that was my impression from reading around in VJ threads...I'd say just get your evidence ready as soon as possible so you're ready for an RFE, if you get one, whenever

We cope by living our lives. We are in constant communication throughout every day that passes. We do our best not to think about this part of our relationship too much. We speak on the phone in the evening, watch television and movies together, play silly online games together, do our best to prepare for the next step when I'm finally able to be in the United States. It helps that we see each other every few months. He was here for Christmas but I likely won't visit him again until this process is complete.
We cope by speaking of the future. Telling each other what it is we're looking forward to the most when we can FINALLY start our lives together. We plan how we're going to decorate our house, how we're going to organize my move there, etc.
We just go about our business, knowing eventually that this waiting will be over and once it is, the time we spent waiting will seem insignificant.

Good advice! Communication is very important ... we talk, skype and email constantly every day, talk about the future and try not to dwell on the distance. We are also, it seems, older than many of the people I've seen on here - don't know if I could have been as patient in my 20's.
It's very fortunate that we have been able to be together twice since meeting in October and have future plans for me to visit him (first visit in 28 days!!!) while he's working in Japan - we seem to be only able to go 7 or so weeks between visits but it turns out that so far that works for our work/vacation schedules.
I am trying to keep myself busy off work hours with planning, organizing and packing up my apartment and generally getting things in order so I will be ready when it's time to cross over on my K1.
It's not easy, but know you're not alone. And that one day all this waiting will pay off to be with the one you love.