K1/k3 Visa

[tinas204]

Hi everyone,
I am a Canadian citizen and my fiance is American.
We applied for a K1 fiance visa in June 2008 and received the notice from processing center (end of June 2008) that our case is being processed.
- does anyone have an idea about current processing dates from Vermont? and about processing time in US Embassies in Canada??
- we are planning to get married in December 2008, is it feasible??

- Am i allowed to marry in the USA before i receive my Fiance Visa... and return to Canada .. then change the status to Spouse Visa? and wait in Canada for the spouse visa?
- is it easier? or longer to get a spouse visa?
- am i still allowed to visit the USA while waiting for the Spouse Visa?

Thank you.

[nichole]

Vermont is currently approving middle/end of April filers and some early May K1 filers. After approval by USCIS, Montreal is showing an average time of 99 days and Vancourer 42. If you marry, then you start over from square one with the K3 which means pay the fees again, new application, start waiting months again, etc. K1 has traditionally been a little faster. You can visit the US with either K1 or K3 application filed if you show strong ties to Canada like letter from employer stating when you are due back, apartment lease, etc so they believe you intend to visit and go back. If you are thinking of coming for 90 days, then going home a week and then coming back for 90 days...at some point you may get denied entry. They don't want you to be spending more time in the US than in your home country.

[Joann]

Vermont is currently approving middle/end of April filers and some early May K1 filers. After approval by USCIS, Montreal is showing an average time of 99 days and Vancourer 42. If you marry, then you start over from square one with the K3 which means pay the fees again, new application, start waiting months again, etc. K1 has traditionally been a little faster. You can visit the US with either K1 or K3 application filed if you show strong ties to Canada like letter from employer stating when you are due back, apartment lease, etc so they believe you intend to visit and go back. If you are thinking of coming for 90 days, then going home a week and then coming back for 90 days...at some point you may get denied entry. They don't want you to be spending more time in the US than in your home country.

Be patient for your K1 visa to be approved. As this doesn't take more than 6 months. If you marry before that is approved then your spouse will have to petition for a k3 and this take anywhere from 1 - 12 months, and you end up spending more money!

[tinas204]

Thank you for your reply and advice.
I will post updates once i have feedback as to my application.
Have a great day!