US Citizen recently married Canadian Citizen in Canada

[jiftyrealm]

I recently got married in Canada to a Canadian Citizen. I am a U.S. born citizen and plan to have my wife move to the U.S. I am a bit confused as to what the quickest method might be. I've already submitted form I-130 and received the I-797C. From what I understand, for the I-130 approval, it could take over a year. So then I submitted form I-129F and received another I-797C. So was this the quickest method or another way that I am unaware of? Not that it would matter anymore, but I am still curious. Also, the Vermont office received my I-129F on March 12th. I've read on here where people had turn around times of 3-4 months. I have not heard back since receiving the second I-797C. Does anyone know how long it takes for a K3 Visa?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[sodell]

canadian spouse too

I sent my I-130 on February19th They recieved it February 29th and we just got approved on Monday June 16th. I didnt do the K-3, only the I-130 (an immigration agent said I-130 is better because spouse can live and work right away, instead of getting to US and waiting for work approval from K-3).
My husband is Canadian and we married in the US.

[nichole]

I've read on here where people had turn around times of 3-4 months. I have not heard back since receiving the second I-797C. Does anyone know how long it takes for a K3 Visa?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

This is my understanding of the process:
The only quicker way would have been to file for a fiancee visa before you married and then married here in the US after she got the visa. K1 visas are faster right now, especially filing in Vermont. You would probably be very close having visa in hand. BUT your hold up is that Vermont seemed to ignore K3 applications for several months, while churning out K1s. I know of a few that have recently gotten their approval and they had I-129f receipt dates of early to mid February. So there's nothing to do but wait on the ones in line ahead of you. Once she gets the visa she can come stay with you. The other poster before me is right in that she can't work until you file for adjustment of status and the work permit, but at least you will be together legally while you wait on her green card, which could be another 3-4 months.

The CR1/IR1 like the other person is doing will take even longer because the whole green card and work permit thing has to be done while the wife is not in the country. So besides waiting for the I-130 approval they wait on that process, too, while living apart. She will enter the country with a green card and work permit in hand.

It depends on if you want live together sooner and if you can afford to support her until she is allowed to work.