relocating after K1 visa approval

[chululu 0]

I finally got my K1 visa on Nov 5th.. sealed envelope and my passport with the K1 Visa..

I am leaving on December 3rd to California - will be driving and on the way will get married in Vegas.

I am so stressed on the relocating and need help.

what documents do I need to give at the border for taking my car over..

I have the compliance letter from my GM dealer

I have an idea of the forms but not sure how to fill it.

what documents do I need to give for my personal items. do I declare in $$amount every item I am taking..??

If anyone needs any questions about the montreal interview please ask.. it was great and everyone is so nice..no problem not worries...I had my interview on oct 15th and I did not have one police clearance but was approved at the interview and the police clearance came after and all went well.

Just be honest and quick thinking - drilling lasts for 15 mins but not bad at all.The lady who interviewed me happened to be from California so she knew I was telling the truth when I had to describe 4 pics from my album. how I met my fiance the whole nine yards in a short version. what he does and where he worked , what I do and how long I have been in Canada.

[Ban Hammer 13,567]

mbc

[chululu 0]

mbc

Thank you and congratulations on your new baby!

[Wis-Can 0]

Can you update your timeline please. Just to help everyone. CONGRATS on your Visa.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Congratulations on your visa. Since you are driving your own personal belongings over you don't need any special form. You are allowed to bring in your personal possessions duty-free either with you or up to 10 years after your arrival. Make a list of your belongings. If you have things in boxes, number the boxes and give a general list - for example box 1: books box 2: summer clothing box 3: winter clothing box 4: CDs (you might want to have a list of your CDs because sometimes they do check for bootleg copies of things) box 5: personal papers - well you get the idea. Have your list with you. You will only need dollar items for things which are less than a year old because technically, those are dutiable, however I haven't heard of them bothering with personal items. If you have electronic items, include the serial number next to the item on the list.

For your car you will need the compliance letter and ownership - although the ownership may not be necessary until you register your car in your new home state. As I didn't import my car I am not sure if you would need more than this.

You will need your passport with your visa in it to enter the US and the sealed brown envelope you received with your visa.. You will pull up at the border, explain you are activating a K-1 visa and will be directed to secondary inspection. At secondary, they will advise you to leave your keys in the car and to go inside. Inside you will go to the counter, say you wish to activate your K-1, give them your brown envelope which they will open and keep, give them your passport which they will stamp and to which they will attach a card called an I-94. They will write a date 90 days in the future on the I-94 and on the stamp. This is the date by which you need to get married. There is a small fee for the I-94 - $7 US I believe. They will probably explain to you that if you return to Canada without a green card or an Advance parole (I-131 form) once you activate the K-1 you won't be allowed back into the US so you are in the US to stay for a while. The whole process should take about 20 minutes plus whatever time you need to wait.

You are restricted in bringing in limited amounts of things like alcohol, cigarettes, etc. plus some items are not allowed in (ie. liquor filled candies for one, heheheh). You can read about the list on the US Customs website.

Good luck. The border crossing is usually pretty easy. You should be fine.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Carlawarla 1]

Congratulations on your visa. Since you are driving your own personal belongings over you don't need any special form. You are allowed to bring in your personal possessions duty-free either with you or up to 10 years after your arrival. Make a list of your belongings. If you have things in boxes, number the boxes and give a general list - for example box 1: books box 2: summer clothing box 3: winter clothing box 4: CDs (you might want to have a list of your CDs because sometimes they do check for bootleg copies of things) box 5: personal papers - well you get the idea. Have your list with you. You will only need dollar items for things which are less than a year old because technically, those are dutiable, however I haven't heard of them bothering with personal items. If you have electronic items, include the serial number next to the item on the list.

For your car you will need the compliance letter and ownership - although the ownership may not be necessary until you register your car in your new home state. As I didn't import my car I am not sure if you would need more than this.

You will need your passport with your visa in it to enter the US and the sealed brown envelope you received with your visa.. You will pull up at the border, explain you are activating a K-1 visa and will be directed to secondary inspection. At secondary, they will advise you to leave your keys in the car and to go inside. Inside you will go to the counter, say you wish to activate your K-1, give them your brown envelope which they will open and keep, give them your passport which they will stamp and to which they will attach a card called an I-94. They will write a date 90 days in the future on the I-94 and on the stamp. This is the date by which you need to get married. There is a small fee for the I-94 - $7 US I believe. They will probably explain to you that if you return to Canada without a green card or an Advance parole (I-131 form) once you activate the K-1 you won't be allowed back into the US so you are in the US to stay for a while. The whole process should take about 20 minutes plus whatever time you need to wait.

You are restricted in bringing in limited amounts of things like alcohol, cigarettes, etc. plus some items are not allowed in (ie. liquor filled candies for one, heheheh). You can read about the list on the US Customs website.

Good luck. The border crossing is usually pretty easy. You should be fine.

Nothing more to add other than what Kathryn has said.

Congratulations on your approval!

[chululu 0]

Congratulations on your visa. Since you are driving your own personal belongings over you don't need any special form. You are allowed to bring in your personal possessions duty-free either with you or up to 10 years after your arrival. Make a list of your belongings. If you have things in boxes, number the boxes and give a general list - for example box 1: books box 2: summer clothing box 3: winter clothing box 4: CDs (you might want to have a list of your CDs because sometimes they do check for bootleg copies of things) box 5: personal papers - well you get the idea. Have your list with you. You will only need dollar items for things which are less than a year old because technically, those are dutiable, however I haven't heard of them bothering with personal items. If you have electronic items, include the serial number next to the item on the list.

For your car you will need the compliance letter and ownership - although the ownership may not be necessary until you register your car in your new home state. As I didn't import my car I am not sure if you would need more than this.

You will need your passport with your visa in it to enter the US and the sealed brown envelope you received with your visa.. You will pull up at the border, explain you are activating a K-1 visa and will be directed to secondary inspection. At secondary, they will advise you to leave your keys in the car and to go inside. Inside you will go to the counter, say you wish to activate your K-1, give them your brown envelope which they will open and keep, give them your passport which they will stamp and to which they will attach a card called an I-94. They will write a date 90 days in the future on the I-94 and on the stamp. This is the date by which you need to get married. There is a small fee for the I-94 - $7 US I believe. They will probably explain to you that if you return to Canada without a green card or an Advance parole (I-131 form) once you activate the K-1 you won't be allowed back into the US so you are in the US to stay for a while. The whole process should take about 20 minutes plus whatever time you need to wait.

You are restricted in bringing in limited amounts of things like alcohol, cigarettes, etc. plus some items are not allowed in (ie. liquor filled candies for one, heheheh). You can read about the list on the US Customs website.

Good luck. The border crossing is usually pretty easy. You should be fine.

Thank you so much for all your info it does help.. I was so stressed since I had to fill out so many forms now with the car which I have done...

the items like jewellery and camera do I have to pay duty?

I hope that all goes well.

[Carlawarla 1]

You don't have to pay duty on anything because it's your own personal things you're moving.

[chululu 0]

Can you update your timeline please. Just to help everyone. CONGRATS on your Visa.

can you tell me how to do it

[Krikit 1,165]

Congratulations Chululu. If you click on this video you will see how to update your timeline:

Video - How to Create a New Timeline

If you click on the following link you will find answers on moving to the US:

US Customs & Border Protection - Moving FAQ's