Crossing the border with a Visa pending...

[lgg 2]

Hey all... thought I would just give you my input to crossing the border with a visa pending. We're still in the early stages -- waiting for our I-130 to be approved but nonetheless... I was a little stressed.

So, I brought all my ties to Canada letters with me... and crossed the border with no problem -- didn't even need them. The boarder guard asked my two questions, I was honest and off I went.

I do suspect though, that in the later stages this might be harder so, I plan to always travel with my letters of ties to Canada while I need them.

So, just wanted to give you all some feedback as to how that went as I know I was super stressed out before the actual trip to see my husband.

Thanks all...

hope all your cases and such are going really well.

best,

LGG

[Flames9_RN 358]

I never had a problem, and they never once asked to see any of my evidence!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks, lgg,

Yes, it is good to be prepared when you get to the border. If you don't need your evidence, great - but if you do need it and don't have it, well, you will be kicking yourself instead of enjoying a visit with your loved one. Glad you had an easy time.

Good luck with your immigration journey.

[Wis-Can 0]

Thanks, lgg,

Yes, it is good to be prepared when you get to the border. If you don't need your evidence, great - but if you do need it and don't have it, well, you will be kicking yourself instead of enjoying a visit with your loved one. Glad you had an easy time.

Good luck with your immigration journey.

I agree totally. one visit they didn't ask to see it from me, the other they did. I got through both times. I almost didn't bring it the second time then I thought, what would it hurt to carry it along! Good luck on your journey.

[lgg 2]

No problem all, I was so relieved-- I had to keep telling myself that I wasn't/would never do anything wrong.

Good luck to you all as well. Will post any relevant info regarding this stuff when I have it.

Good luck, all.

LGG

Thanks, lgg,

Yes, it is good to be prepared when you get to the border. If you don't need your evidence, great - but if you do need it and don't have it, well, you will be kicking yourself instead of enjoying a visit with your loved one. Glad you had an easy time.

Good luck with your immigration journey.

I agree totally. one visit they didn't ask to see it from me, the other they did. I got through both times. I almost didn't bring it the second time then I thought, what would it hurt to carry it along! Good luck on your journey.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I always have a letter from the shop owner stating I work there, etc..., my rental agreement & a few copies of pay cheques.

Since being engaged, I tell the officer I am "visiting my fiance". Never asked for any ties. I did get asked once "where will you two be moving to when you get married"...I said Michigan. He said "have you filed for the visa" I said Yes. Then he told me to have a nice day.

[La Souris 19]

So far, I saw no major differences crossing before or after the papers. I did cross once with my parents and that was the easiest... they didn't was many questions and I don't think I had the opportunity to even say I was visiting my husband; they did see my passport though. I'm trying to go for a visit next week

[Cindo and Joe 0]

May I ask which border crossing you went through?

Thanks!

[La Souris 19]

May I ask which border crossing you went through?

Thanks!

Not sure who you're asking... but, I'm usually crossing at Derby Line, VT or Highgate Springs, VT

[Moosker 7]

Keep us updated! Now that some of us are further along in the process, or finished, we don't mind helping out fellow VJ'ers!

[lgg 2]

I flew out of Toronto's Pearson International. Oh and FYI when asked I said I was on a holiday but I was prepared to extrapolate from there-- didn't need to though.

Will keep you all posted as the visa journey moves along.

Best,

LGG

Keep us updated! Now that some of us are further along in the process, or finished, we don't mind helping out fellow VJ'ers!

[Sam and Ben 2]

Hey all... thought I would just give you my input to crossing the border with a visa pending. We're still in the early stages -- waiting for our I-130 to be approved but nonetheless... I was a little stressed.

So, I brought all my ties to Canada letters with me... and crossed the border with no problem -- didn't even need them. The boarder guard asked my two questions, I was honest and off I went.

I do suspect though, that in the later stages this might be harder so, I plan to always travel with my letters of ties to Canada while I need them.

So, just wanted to give you all some feedback as to how that went as I know I was super stressed out before the actual trip to see my husband.

Thanks all...

hope all your cases and such are going really well.

best,

LGG

Heck, even before we filed for my K1, I was so concerned that they'd raise a brow at my "USC Boyfriend" that I brought a whole stack of paperwork with me, just in case. Makes it easier now, I can simply look back at what I brought with me at the time, get updated information to take with me, and be on my way!

Hm, I brought a letter from my employer, recent pay stubs, my schedule upon return, a bank statement, bus itinerary (used to simply get across the border) for both there and back, flight for there and back... now I'll just add our NOA1.

But I was like you, better to be over prepared than lacking and turned away.

[Flames9_RN 358]

There have been members on here that by having that evidence has saved their butts at POE! So take some time, gather it and take it with you.

[Sparky&Me 0]

Just a heads up, I actually once had a border guard tell me that travel into the US is "flat out prohibited for any people who have visas pending". I knew that was not true, both from people on here and because I’d traveled before while the visa was pending with no problems. Having a huge stack of paperwork is what saved me. They went through it all, and asked a million questions before finally letting me go. They attached a form to my passport that I had to return upon leaving the US. So you really never know. If I hadn’t known any differently, I wouldn’t have gotten in to see my fiancé.