Michele

Hi, my posting under the subject 'Newbie Introduction' garnered some interesting
responses.

Now I'm curious: what's the general consensus on this ng regarding whether it's
better/easier/quicker/etc. to file the I-129F (fiancé) or I-130 (spouse)?

I am a USC and my fiancé (Brian) is a Canadian Citizen.

TIA, Michèle

Alvena Ferreira

Michele wrote:
> Hi, my posting under the subject 'Newbie Introduction' garnered some interesting
> responses. Now I'm curious: what's the general consensus on this ng regarding whether
> it's better/easier/quicker/etc. to file the I-129F (fiancé) or I-130 (spouse)? I am a
> USC and my fiancé (Brian) is a Canadian Citizen.
>
Frankly, if Brian can enter as a tourist for a visit, and then after his entry you can
decide to marry, you can file for his adjustment of status and he can stay in the US:
http://www2.apex.net/users/thehydes/touristframes.html

Be sure to read the tourist visa faq.

alvena

Perdue

Now I'm curious: what's the general consensus on this ng regarding
> whether it's better/easier/quicker/etc. to file the I-129F (fiancé) or I-130 (spouse)?
>
> I am a USC and my fiancé (Brian) is a Canadian Citizen.
>
> TIA, Michèle

Depends how you go about it, and a great deal on where you live in the US.

Applying as a spouse from Canada is a long and tedious process (it took me 10
months...and my initial processing was *fast*). He would, however, enter the country with
a "green card".

If he successfully crosses the border, you marry, file the I-130 and he applies for AOS,
the timeline depends on where you live...it may take two to three years for him to receive
the green card. During which time you must file each year for EAD, AP, etc.

If you apply as a fiance, you have the fiance waiting time (up to six months or so) plus
the AOS time, with all the EAD, AP headaches, etc.