staying in us for almost 6 months while waiting for visa approval

[itsallgreektome 0]

Has anyone out there stayed in the u.s. for the maximum 6 months stay (from canada)? If so, did you have any problems at your interview about spending so much time in the u.s. during the visa process?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Emancipation 2]

Hey!! Try posting this in the Canada Regional Forum.. it will get more attention there!!

[Dylan'sWife 2]

Has anyone out there stayed in the u.s. for the maximum 6 months stay (from canada)? If so, did you have any problems at your interview about spending so much time in the u.s. during the visa process?

Thanks in advance for any help.

As long as you don't accidentally overstay I don't see it being a problem at the interview. Although, I am not sure if A CBP Agent will allow entry for a stay of that length. Some CBP Agents refuse entry in general when in the visa process while others may allow visits provided they do not suspect immigrant intent. In their eyes, a 6 month stay for an intending immigrant suggests that you are actually living and working in the US prior to receiving a visa.

Edited December 12, 2007 by Dylan'sWife

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Like said above, as long as you don't overstay, it shouldn't be a problem.- but then again, USCIS people are not the friendliest and most understanding bunch.....

[Autumnchik 6]

I agree with Dylan's wife. The tougher part may be the border agents.

Our experience: my then fiance came to the States last May. He had taken a leave of absence from his job in Canada and had brought savings to live on. He came to help me move from Georgia to New Hampshire, to get me settled and to participate in purchasing our house. Our house we bought was a fixer upper and he ended up doing some work on it. We began the K-1 visa process in October. He then returned to Canada, went back to work. He planned to visit me for the Christmas holidays, but CBP denied him entry. They said that he had been in the states for so long, they figured he had been working illegally (which he hadn't) ... and also that he didn't show enough ties to Canada. The fact that we had begun the visa process was also an issue for that particular officer. He said that people are not allowed to visit during the visa process. That was erroneous, but really serves to illustrate that it does depend on each individual border agent's point of view. However, later on, my guy was allowed to visit ... the border guard at that time felt that he showed enough proof of ties and would really return, also said that visiting was not a problem during the process.

At the interview, it came up that he had been denied entry. We were honest and explained what happened and the officer said that was quite common.

[itsallgreektome 0]

Hey!! Try posting this in the Canada Regional Forum.. it will get more attention there!!

I would love to but I don't know how. I am so computer inept. Now immigration forms.......man I sure am getting good at. Help. Thanks

[MissStacey 1]

I spent over 6 months here. We got married a little past 6 months and filed the I 130. It was a month later when I made that trip to Canada and was denied coming back until I got my Visa.

It was never brought up at the Interview.

edit- no it was about 2 1/2 months later that I made the trip back to canada.

Edited December 12, 2007 by MissStacey

[itsallgreektome 0]

Has anyone out there stayed in the u.s. for the maximum 6 months stay (from canada)? If so, did you have any problems at your interview about spending so much time in the u.s. during the visa process?

Thanks in advance for any help.

As long as you don't accidentally overstay I don't see it being a problem at the interview. Although, I am not sure if A CBP Agent will allow entry for a stay of that length. Some CBP Agents refuse entry in general when in the visa process while others may allow visits provided they do not suspect immigrant intent. In their eyes, a 6 month stay for an intending immigrant suggests that you are actually living and working in the US prior to receiving a visa.

You know the last time I crossed was Nov 10 and they did pull me over but they let me through. I told them that I had to come back. That's all I said. I'm getting the feeling that it is going to get tougher to cross. I will have to go back soon to get my package 3 sent (I have to do a police check in Hamilton) and I'm afraid they wouldn't let me back in after I do that. It sounds like I'm just going to have to take my chances. I am staying here more than I am in Canada (2-3 months at a time). They can see on my passport that I have crossed over approx 15 times this year (I live close to the us border and my friends and I go over alot when I back in Canada). What do you think?

Like said above, as long as you don't overstay, it shouldn't be a problem.- but then again, USCIS people are not the friendliest and most understanding bunch.....

...scaring me.....

[itsallgreektome 0]

I agree with Dylan's wife. The tougher part may be the border agents.

Our experience: my then fiance came to the States last May. He had taken a leave of absence from his job in Canada and had brought savings to live on. He came to help me move from Georgia to New Hampshire, to get me settled and to participate in purchasing our house. Our house we bought was a fixer upper and he ended up doing some work on it. We began the K-1 visa process in October. He then returned to Canada, went back to work. He planned to visit me for the Christmas holidays, but CBP denied him entry. They said that he had been in the states for so long, they figured he had been working illegally (which he hadn't) ... and also that he didn't show enough ties to Canada. The fact that we had begun the visa process was also an issue for that particular officer. He said that people are not allowed to visit during the visa process. That was erroneous, but really serves to illustrate that it does depend on each individual border agent's point of view. However, later on, my guy was allowed to visit ... the border guard at that time felt that he showed enough proof of ties and would really return, also said that visiting was not a problem during the process.

At the interview, it came up that he had been denied entry. We were honest and explained what happened and the officer said that was quite common.

You know what.....to anyone who is reading this.......HONESTY is the best policy. I have been totally honest with each border office and I'm so so glad I have been.

[itsallgreektome 0]

I spent over 6 months here. We got married a little past 6 months and filed the I 130. It was a month later when I made that trip to Canada and was denied coming back until I got my Visa.

It was never brought up at the Interview.

edit- no it was about 2 1/2 months later that I made the trip back to canada.

Ya, you know....I have been spending appr 3 months in the us and 2 weeks back in Canada. I have'nt overstayed. I have a feeling the next time (even if I want to go over to Buffalo to shop) they are going to turn me away. What do you think?

[itsallgreektome 0]

Has anyone out there stayed in the u.s. for the maximum 6 months stay (from canada)? If so, did you have any problems at your interview about spending so much time in the u.s. during the visa process?

Thanks in advance for any help.

As long as you don't accidentally overstay I don't see it being a problem at the interview. Although, I am not sure if A CBP Agent will allow entry for a stay of that length. Some CBP Agents refuse entry in general when in the visa process while others may allow visits provided they do not suspect immigrant intent. In their eyes, a 6 month stay for an intending immigrant suggests that you are actually living and working in the US prior to receiving a visa.

Hey, I hope your daughter is o.k.?????? Please no bad news!!!!!!!

[Misty1979 0]

I visited 6 times throughout the process, and spent a total of 7 months in the US, and it never came up at the interview.

My second visit was the longest: 4 months. It wasn't initially supposed to be that long..I had planned to stay only two weeks, but after arriving, we decided to get married, so we planned the wedding, got married, etc. I changed my return ticket about a week after arriving in the US, and just ended up flying back 4 months later to start the visa process.

Most of my visits were about 6 weeks, and the CBP officers never minded me staying that long, as long as I showed them them ties to Canada.

[itsallgreektome 0]

I visited 6 times throughout the process, and spent a total of 7 months in the US, and it never came up at the interview.

My second visit was the longest: 4 months. It wasn't initially supposed to be that long..I had planned to stay only two weeks, but after arriving, we decided to get married, so we planned the wedding, got married, etc. I changed my return ticket about a week after arriving in the US, and just ended up flying back 4 months later to start the visa process.

Most of my visits were about 6 weeks, and the CBP officers never minded me staying that long, as long as I showed them them ties to Canada.

Did they ask you about proof of ties to Canada? p.s. how was the wedding?

[MissStacey 1]

I spent over 6 months here. We got married a little past 6 months and filed the I 130. It was a month later when I made that trip to Canada and was denied coming back until I got my Visa.

It was never brought up at the Interview.

edit- no it was about 2 1/2 months later that I made the trip back to canada.

Ya, you know....I have been spending appr 3 months in the us and 2 weeks back in Canada. I have'nt overstayed. I have a feeling the next time (even if I want to go over to Buffalo to shop) they are going to turn me away. What do you think?

It is hard to say, it depends on the people at Customs. I was denied again when I tried to go down for Mardi Gras. I brought as much proof of ties as I could but they felt it wasn't enough. I was already flagged in the system from being denied before as well- it was humiliating to go through but it was worth a try- especially for Mardi Gras

That reminds me- when I was at the Airport waiting to check in for my flight (after I had my Visa) A guy was being escorted out from US Customs- he was screaming and swearing at them. Glad I didn't act like that

At my Interview I was asked about and told him about both denials- he just giggled and said it happens often. I got my Visa.

[itsallgreektome 0]

I spent over 6 months here. We got married a little past 6 months and filed the I 130. It was a month later when I made that trip to Canada and was denied coming back until I got my Visa.

It was never brought up at the Interview.

edit- no it was about 2 1/2 months later that I made the trip back to canada.

Ya, you know....I have been spending appr 3 months in the us and 2 weeks back in Canada. I have'nt overstayed. I have a feeling the next time (even if I want to go over to Buffalo to shop) they are going to turn me away. What do you think?

It is hard to say, it depends on the people at Customs. I was denied again when I tried to go down for Mardi Gras. I brought as much proof of ties as I could but they felt it wasn't enough. I was already flagged in the system from being denied before as well- it was humiliating to go through but it was worth a try- especially for Mardi Gras

That reminds me- when I was at the Airport waiting to check in for my flight (after I had my Visa) A guy was being escorted out from US Customs- he was screaming and swearing at them. Glad I didn't act like that

At my Interview I was asked about and told him about both denials- he just giggled and said it happens often. I got my Visa.

Thanks for your help. I guess I have to be prepared to be turned away. Sorry about Mardi Gras but maybe next year, aye? It's just a ####### shot (coming from a casino dealer!!!!!) I don't think I want the "denial" on my record.