Visiting US while Visa is pending

[aravis227 1]

My fiance is planning to visit this weekend, he'll be flying into the US. He has various household bills and is working on getting the mortgage stuff printed out. He also has his return ticket. Long story short...he can't ask his boss for a letter right now (a long story that involves using sick time for vacation). He was supposed to get a standing letter since he only lives a few hours from the border and it's not uncommon to cross over for a shopping trip, but he doesn't have it, yet. Things I just found out tonight...I though these were taken care of. Anyway...point being...anyone who has done this, do you think he'll be ok without the letter from his employer?

[L_n_O 3]

you can ask him to carry recent pay stubs with him

that should help

[Krikit 1,164]

I never got asked for a letter from my employer. I was only ever asked what I do for a living. I carried company credit cards (my name and name of institution right on card), business cards, etc, so I figured if they wanted proof I'd just show them that. No company in their right mind is going to let you keep a credit card if they suspect you're not returning.

Edited April 3, 2008 by Krikit

[L_n_O 3]

I was once asked for a letter and didn't have one!

Then they wanted more proof that I still worked.. and I luckily was using a pay stub as a bookmark and that did the trick!!

[aravis227 1]

I was once asked for a letter and didn't have one!

Then they wanted more proof that I still worked.. and I luckily was using a pay stub as a bookmark and that did the trick!!

Oh no!! That was a very lucky coincidence. Hopefully they'll let him through without any trouble. I have my fingers crossed! I'll let you know tomorrow as soon as he texts me to say whether they let him on the plane or not. With any luck he'll be almost here by this time tomorrow.

[L_n_O 3]

I'm sure it'll go fine

[Flames9_RN 358]

Sure it will be super duper. I traveled monthly to DC and never had one problem nor did i ever have to show any proof of ties to Canada! In my opnion your appearance and how u act is more important!! : my 2 cents worth:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5)pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

Best of luck

[aravis227 1]

Just updating because I said I would. He went through customs in Winnipeg, they cleared him through there but said they might stop him again in Denver (his first US stop). He just texted me to say that they did not make him go through customs again in Denver. He's just waiting to board his second flight and he'll be here in about two hours.

[erintoronto 0]

i agree with flames9. if you are confident and answer the questions without providing your "life story" (ha!) you should be fine. one other key thing is to know (without hesitation) the last time you visited. (entry and exit dates.)

i have crossed into the states once since we filed our K1 (on greyhound crossing over at the detroit tunnel). i encountered no problems whatsoever and wasn't asked for any documentation other than my passport.

i did take along my:

1. recent pay stub

2. tenancy agreement (apartment lease)

3. recent telephone bill

4. recent utility bill

5. copy of entire K1 package as submitted

i am sure everything will be fine for you. have a wonderful time together!

Just updating because I said I would. He went through customs in Winnipeg, they cleared him through there but said they might stop him again in Denver (his first US stop). He just texted me to say that they did not make him go through customs again in Denver. He's just waiting to board his second flight and he'll be here in about two hours.

hurrah!

[Krikit 1,164]

Just updating because I said I would. He went through customs in Winnipeg, they cleared him through there but said they might stop him again in Denver (his first US stop). He just texted me to say that they did not make him go through customs again in Denver. He's just waiting to board his second flight and he'll be here in about two hours.

Excellent! Congrats! No idea why they would tell him they might stop him in Denver. No one goes through Customs on a domestic flight. The agent must not do very much travelling. Have a great visit!

[aravis227 1]

Just updating because I said I would. He went through customs in Winnipeg, they cleared him through there but said they might stop him again in Denver (his first US stop). He just texted me to say that they did not make him go through customs again in Denver. He's just waiting to board his second flight and he'll be here in about two hours.

Excellent! Congrats! No idea why they would tell him they might stop him in Denver. No one goes through Customs on a domestic flight. The agent must not do very much travelling. Have a great visit!

I thought that was odd, too I thought maybe they were going to background check him, then stop him if something turned up. I don't know...and frankly, I don't care as long as he got through