Candian Citizen marrying a US citizen

[cdrvt]

Can someone please help me. I am a Canadian Citizen engaged to a US citizen. I am looking to get married and move to the US. I have a few questions.

1. What is the fastest way to move there legally?
2. How do I obtain a work Visa? Do I have to wait to work?
3. Does it make a difference if we get married in the US or Canada?
4. When we get married is there a certain amount of time I cannot re enter the US?
5. Any other help would be much appreciated.
Thank you very much

[Reba]

You have a couple of options, K1 Fiancee visa, or CR1 spousal visa.

If you go for the K1, you wait where you are in Canada for it to process, then once its done (about 9 months currently I think) you can move to the US and get married, and then apply to adjust status and get employment authorization (EAD takes 90 days from date of application, AOS can take several months to a year or more, but at least you're living together at the time).

If you get married first, then you'd have to do CR1 (or K3, but they seem fairly redundent these days). BUT, you still have to wait in Canada for it to be processed, which means getting married and living separate for that time. These take about a year or so complete.

Hop on over to http://www.visajourney.com for marriage based immigration information.

[cdrvt]

Do you know if when I apply for the K1 Visa I have to wait in Canada for it to be processed? Meaning can I go to the US to visit my fiance or can my fiance come to Canada to visit me?

How does that work with the CR visa that you have to wait 1 year for?

Thank you very much

[flames9]

Like reba stated check out visajourney.com (VJ) and read the stickies at the top of the K1 and CR-1 forums, lots of info on there. It does have a search feature as well, but it is a bit lacking.

Yes one can visit while the k1 (fiance vise not married) or the Cr-1 (already married) visas are being processes, and yes you do have a higher chance of being denied entry into the USA because you do have a desire to stay in the USA! I went the CR-1 route and traveled monthly to DC. I never had a problem. Answer the Port of entry (POE) officers question TRUTHFULLY,--NEVER lie! But don't blab away telling him ur life story! lol. Short consice replies, and look him/her in their eyes, and be respectful. As well have ties to Canada with you. Such as a return ticket, letter from employer, apartment lease, utility bills. Don't bring job resumes!

The Cr-1 just takes longer to obtain (normally) than a k1. Of course there is different paperwork to fill out. You will soon find out there is no such thing as "normal" when dealing with USA immigration. it can be a long journey. My best advice is to sit down and go over Visajourney. Read the stickies over and over again. and read some of the other posters questions. 99.9% chance people are asking the same question or have in the past. Best of luck.