Engaged, looking to apply for residency INSIDE the United States.

T

telouro

New Member
Hi there,

I'm sure this question has been posted time and time again, but after many (MANY) google searches, I have found nothing to help my case.
Even if you could redirect me to another thread that can help, it would be much appreciated.

I am a Canadian citizen, and my fiance is American. I am looking to live with him in the US while all of the paperwork (I-130, I-485, etc.) is being filed. I know this is possible, there are just some fine details I can't seem to find anywhere.
For us to be legally married, and for me to stay down there, what am I required to do so that I don't "outstay my welcome" while the forms are being processed?
What I mean is, is there some kind of visa I can obtain at the border? Or do I need to file for something to make my time down there legitimate?
I am not looking to wait another year just so I can get a visa so I can get married.. Please don't recommend the K-1, we've looked into that. We have been engaged for almost a year now and we are eager to get the process going.

Any help is appreciated :) Thank you.
 
telouro said:
I am a Canadian citizen, and my fiance is American. I am looking to live with him in the US while all of the paperwork (I-130, I-485, etc.) is being filed. I know this is possible, there are just some fine details I can't seem to find anywhere. What I mean is, is there some kind of visa I can obtain at the border? Or do I need to file for something to make my time down there legitimate? I am not looking to wait another year just so I can get a visa so I can get married.. Please don't recommend the K-1, we've looked into that.
Click to expand...

The K-1 is exactly what you are referring to.
 
so let me understand this: you are in canada, and u want to enter the US to immigrate (LPR). you cannot get any non immigrant visa because that would violating the intent of the visa which will get u into lots of harsh trouble - you dont want to do that.

you can

a - get married in canada and not live in the us while the CR1 process completes.
b - get a K-1 to come to the US and get married.

either ways you are going to have to wait outside for some paperwork.

sorry no way around that.
 
Why didn't you apply for a K-1 visa a year back? I moved to the US from Canada on a K-1 and I think that is the best avenue for unmarried CAN-US couples looking to live together in the US.

telouro said:
Please don't recommend the K-1, we've looked into that. We have been engaged for almost a year now and we are eager to get the process going.
Click to expand...
 
telouro said:
I am not looking to wait another year just so I can get a visa so I can get married.. Please don't recommend the K-1, we've looked into that.
Click to expand...

The K1 does not take as long as a year. It will get you into the US within 2-6 months, with the right to pursue the green card process within the US.

It's the K3 that would take about a year, but the K3 is for people who have already gotten married before entering the US.
 
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