Cdn TN Visa holder now married to US Citizen - now what?

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buzzcolaNew Member
Topic author
Posts: 1
Joined: 26 Nov 2008
Location: USA

Cdn TN Visa holder now married to US Citizen - now what?

Post Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:33 pm

I'm a Canadian citizen and have been working in the US under the TN visa for several years now. While working here, I met and married my husband (US citizen) but still kept my TN visas going, and we still live in the US. What are my options as far as getting off the TN while living here in the US (i.e. for a green card)? We never did any "fiancee" visas before we were married because I was always here legally anyway. But, recently I have been told that I am on the "wrong visa" since I am married to a US citizen (not by someone in the know, just another visa holder). Is this true?

Any help would be appreciated, since after reading some of these posts it seems hopeless :(

Thanks in advance!
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Reba

Post Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:01 pm

Send in forms I-130 sponsor petition, I-485 Adjustment of Status, and I-765 Employment authorization application, and probably need the I-131 for Advanced Parole. Plus all the accompanying docs of course.

For info on marriage based immigration to the US see http://www.visajourney.com and you'll want specifically the Adjustment of Status forum. Read thru the Guides there, they are very detailed and you should be able to get thru the process rather easily.
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StevenCanuckAbroad VIP
Posts: 3637
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Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Location: Calgary

Post Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:28 pm

You no longer have non-immigrant intent if you are married to a US citizen and TN-1 requires that. So it's important to apply for AOS as soon as you can, really.

Bear in mind when you get it you can no longer file taxes as a non-resident (if you are) and you must essentially sever all residential ties to Canada for tax purposes (you can keep a house there, but it can't be your principal residence, and you can have a Canadian bank account, as long as you've told them you're non-resident).

The US is kind of anal about the tax situation as you will see when you read the instructions for I-485.
Steve.
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Reba

Post Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:21 am

Oh yeah, once you have the Notice of Action receipt from the I-130 etc.Do Not Leave The Country until you also have the actual Advanced Parole document. Even with a still valid TN they may deny you entry on your return. I'd even go so far as to say don't leave the country period until you have your green card in hand. Depending which part of the country you're living in, green card may be just a few months out, or up to a year. Some regional offices are busier than others.

And make sure you apply for the EAD with the adjustment application, because it is unlikely another TN will be granted once you have the I-130 submitted, so once this one runs out, you'll need employment authorization. They usually take about 90 days from the receipt date to process. Do not delay much longer in getting all of this done, you risk being denied renewal by being married to a USC while you continue on TN status.

Again, see Visa Journey for all the info and example forms and things that you'll need.
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cdglaNew Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 23 Feb 2009

Re: Cdn TN Visa holder now married to US Citizen - now what?

Post Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:07 pm

Hello there,
I am a Canadian in the same situation; currently on a TN, married to a US citizen and applying for Green card.

I have a question on form I-765, #11. 'Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS?'

Does anyone know if my TN's count for this and need to be mentioned?

Thanks for any help.
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Reba

Re: Cdn TN Visa holder now married to US Citizen - now what?

Post Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:11 am

I would say that answer would be Yes.

See Visa Journey (linked above) for example forms and loads of info on marriage based immigration.
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StevenCanuckAbroad VIP
Posts: 3637
Topics: 2
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Location: Calgary

Re: Cdn TN Visa holder now married to US Citizen - now what?

Post Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:16 pm

Actually I think the answer is "no" because you didn't get it directly from USCIS, however to be on the safe side I would answer "yes" and say you got TN-1 at a POE and give them the number from your I-94 so they can find it in their system.
Steve.
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cdglaNew Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 23 Feb 2009

Re: Cdn TN Visa holder now married to US Citizen - now what?

Post Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:52 pm

Hi Guys,
Thank you for the quick responses. Steve, as you mentioned, I didn't get the TN directly from the CIS. This was exactly where my confusion was, but I think you have a good idea in saying yes. Probably better to reveal it than not.
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