Portal, North Dakota POE and 5 days crossing prairie...

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Not sure how many people cross here, but here is our review:

We got to the North Portal, SK/Portal, ND, crossing just before 6 pm on a Thursday evening. My parents live near the Peace Arch crossing, so it was surreal seeing only ONE booth for cars and one other for trucks and still only 4 cars lined up ahead of us. We waited maybe a little more than 5 minutes, and the guy in the booth asked my fiance a few questions (I forget what, exactly) and then told us to park and go inside to process the visa.

There is a tiny waiting room there, and the vast majority of people crossing seemed to go inside---I think almost everyone was hauling grain or barley or something by truck. We waited for about 30-35 minutes. They said they were looking at the paperwork, but I'm guessing that a lot of what they were doing was reading the instructions for how to process my fiance's visa. They told us they get a K1 couple about once every 6 months.

They called us up and asked very few questions---where were we going to live and when were we going to get married, hmm, I can't remember what else. Oh, they asked if he was going to be working in the US. Then they gave us information we pretty much already knew about applying for an AP. A lot of people have posted here about CBP officers giving incorrect information, so it was nice to see that they took the time to read it and find out the right information (even if we actually already knew more than they did). They made sure we knew we had 90 days and he couldn't leave the country until we filed for AOS. He told us we could apply for the AP if there were any family emergencies and then seemed very apologetic that it said it would take at least two months to get it.

After that, my fiance filled out some paperwork for importing his car, and then we were on our way.

[T.O_2_FL 0]

sounds like all went smoothly!

Welcome to the U.S of A!

[Carlawarla 1]

8 hours---I'm sooooo envious!! We just spent 5 days crossing the prairie! We found out first hand why North Dakota is the least visited state in the US---just try finding a bathroom there when you desparately need one (this is true of Saskatchewan as well, by the way, which, along with the border crossing not having a public restroom, contributed mightily to my desparate need to find a restroom before Minot....).

Glad you are home safely, Laura. And--just as importantly--I am glad to hear how very sweet your soon-to-be husband is. Awww!

What's wrong with using a bush? No Saskatchewan bashing allowed.

Congratulations on your fiances successful crossing as well!

It's prairie madness, I'm telling you!!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Glad it went well

[Brian_bellingham 0]

I live in Bellingham too!

I remember driving with Belinda from Toronto across Ontario, the plains, etc. We decided to cross over in Blaine just in case there were problems, that way I would be close to home. Also, we took a day at Banff and Lake Louise to give us a break from the drive. And we also figured the border here was busy enough where they would actually know what a K1 Visa is.

It was a great way for me to get to know Canada a little better, especially the areas between Ontario and BC, which not a lot of Americans know much about.

It is also a good test for your marraige, travelling together for a long trip.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Very nice POE. Thank you - and yes, you sound like your 'marriage' will be off to a good start! Welcome home.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Welcome home and congratulations hon!!!