Traveling to see each other (US and Canada) after...

[Todd&Dani 0]

We plan to send off our I-129F petition package this week. My question is how will this affect our trips back and forth to see each other? I have upcoming flights booked to go see Dani in Florida for 9 days (March 20th - 29th) and will be going through US Customs in Toronto at Pearson International Airport. I will state I am going to see my fiancee? What kind of questions will I be asked, what can I expect? Will they be familiar with the K1 Visa process and the I-129F package? Will I need to bring any extra proof with me?

I am also going down to Florida again in May for 10-14 days for Dani's birthday and three days later we both race in a 2.4 mile open water swim. We have plans for her to come up her for a week for Canada Day - July 1st.

We are both thinking positively and hope that things will go as planned and judging by average timelines I will hopefully receive the K1 Visa by September/October. We plan to get married on Siesta Key this Fall, and almost all of our families will be in attendance.

Thanks in advance for tips and advice!

Todd & Dani

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You should be fine visiting as long as you are prepared each and every time you cross the border to prove you still have strong ties to Canada. Put together an up to date package before each trip that contains things like a letter from your employment showing you are employed and expected back to work on such and such a date; copy of lease or mortgage or a letter from your landlord verifying you have ongoing agreements to rent such and such an address; copies of utility bills, insurance bills, car insurance and ownership papers; loan agreements, anything that shows you have financial and material interests that are best served by remaining in Canada. Include a copy of the I-129f petition and the K-1 application as well to show your intent is to do everything 'by the book'.

I travelled to the US while my K-1 was pending a number of times and was pulled into secondary inspection twice. In both cases they went through my file (and my purse, hehehehe) and then when they saw the K-1 application, closed up the file, handed it back to me and said I was fine.

You can travel as long as you are prepared to prove you have no immigrant intentions on that particular visit. It will still be up to the POE officer but it can be done. Good luck.

[Wis-Can 0]

You should be fine visiting as long as you are prepared each and every time you cross the border to prove you still have strong ties to Canada. Put together an up to date package before each trip that contains things like a letter from your employment showing you are employed and expected back to work on such and such a date; copy of lease or mortgage or a letter from your landlord verifying you have ongoing agreements to rent such and such an address; copies of utility bills, insurance bills, car insurance and ownership papers; loan agreements, anything that shows you have financial and material interests that are best served by remaining in Canada. Include a copy of the I-129f petition and the K-1 application as well to show your intent is to do everything 'by the book'.

I travelled to the US while my K-1 was pending a number of times and was pulled into secondary inspection twice. In both cases they went through my file (and my purse, hehehehe) and then when they saw the K-1 application, closed up the file, handed it back to me and said I was fine.

You can travel as long as you are prepared to prove you have no immigrant intentions on that particular visit. It will still be up to the POE officer but it can be done. Good luck.

I did the same, had lots of proof to show them and didn't have any problems at all.

[Todd&Dani 0]

This is very good news. Thanks Kathryn41 & Wis-Can.

Aside from the I-129-F application info and a letter from my employer I could bring my vehicle info; registration and insurance. Other than that I have no strong ties to Canada that I can think of right now. I just paid off my vehicle loan, and I am already now currently living temporarily with a family member (no rent, no mortgage, all the bills are in their name) as I am planning to relocate once this Visa application is approved. Suggestions??

I am employed here and could likely get my employer to write such a letter, but they as of yet have no knowledge of my fiancee or the K1 Visa process. They might raise an eyebrow and question (they will) as to why I need a letter to go to the States for a week vacation staying with a friend. I could say I need it as I have been going in frequently...? Any ideas? Will this be enough for Customs?

Your feedback and info is appreciated,

Todd and Dani

[defunct 0]

Although your employer cannot legally fire you for a possible future resignation, if you'd rather not get into specifics with them, you don't need to. I would just tell them that I am going to the U.S. on vacation and that I would feel better about crossing the border if I had a letter from them confirming that I am a current employee and am expected back to work, since there are many cases of Canadians being denied for being unable to prove ties. You're not lying, but you're not giving out personal details either.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I emailed Customs and Border Protection and asked them. This is the email:

From: Customer Service Center <customs@customs-mail.custhelp.com> (customs@customs-mail.custhelp.com)

Response (Andrea) 12/18/2008 08:23 AM

In order to enter the U.S. while a K-1 Visa is being processed, you will have to convince the admitting U.S. CBP Officer that you are simply visiting the U.S. rather than attempting to enter for immigration purposes before your visa is granted. In order to do this, you will need to provide documents to verify that you have very strong ties to your home country. All of the following documents should be used to accomplish this:

Deed, Mortgage Statement, or Rental Lease Agreement in your name

Utility Statements in your name

Bank Statements in your name

Employment Records in your name

Letter from employer stating that you are expected back to work on a certain date

It is also advised that you have a roundtrip ticket and pack very lightly for a short trip to the U.S. The purpose of this is to prove that you have strong ties to your home country and are not willing to sever those ties by staying in the U.S. past your departure date as mandated on your I-94W Departure Record, or by circumventing immigration regulations.

Additionally, you should be aware that even with all of appropriate documents to verify strong ties to your home country, the U.S. CBP Officer has the final say on whether or not you will be allowed entry.

[Carlawarla 1]

I have really nothing to add other than to welcome you both to VJ and ask that you check out the Canada Forum here for some great information about Canada/US immigration tips! There are a few threads that will speak directly to some questions you've asked this this thread.

Here's the link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

Another link you might find helpful to get tips on moving, EI etc. is here on VJ Wiki:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

Best of luck!

[faramir777 0]

I dont think you will have too much of a problem. I live in Vancouver/ Calgary and my fiancee lives in Seattle, I have flown numerous times and have crossed the border by car over a dozen times since we filed our 129f, I have never had a problem. Just be honest, each time I tell the border guard that I am going to visit my fiancee, they usually ask me if I have filed my papers and what point I am at in the process, I tell them and usually that is all they want. Maybe I have been lucky, but in my expierence honesty usually brings about the best results. I knew someone who was in their K1 process and told the border guard they were just dating, he ended up being caught in his lie and was refused entry.

[Todd&Dani 0]

Thanks to you all. I think I have planned enough to cover me for my visit on the 20th of March. I don't believe I will have any problems with what I am bringing and being very honest and open with our K1 application. Your feedback is very much appreciated.

Thank you,

T

[Todd&Dani 0]

To whom should my employer address the letter to??? United States Department of Homeland Security? United States Citizenship and Immigration Services? Or both like on the Letter of Intent?

Thanks!

T&D

[Todd&Dani 0]

I am bumping my question and would also like to know should the letter be printed (and signed) on company letterhead or is a business card attched OK?

Thanks for feedback on this!

Also, we've been thinking, dependng on when we get the 1-129F mailed out I may not even need any extra documents to enter on March 20th, if the VSC hasn't received our petition by then I can tell Customs I am just going in on vacation for a week and staying with a friend. I have been to the US dozens and dozens of times and never had a problem, ever.

Thanks,

T

[Carlawarla 1]

My employer, on company letterhead, just address the letter " to whom it may concern". Signed their name, title, a phone both day and evening where they could be reached. I was lucky and worked for the Justice Dept, so I always wondered if the officious looking letterhead helped.

[KimandRuss 0]

They most likely will not know about your petition anyway... unless you tell them.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

I have never had to show mine but have taken an employer letter done by my HR department the last 3 trips

It was on company letter head and addressed to whom it may concernt

this is the content

This is to confirm that Sharon **** is employed as a *******, and is in full time permanent employee of **********. She has booked holiday from the company and is expected back to her role on the ********

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Yours faithfully

Hope that helps

[M613 6]

why would you say anything, though? Purpose of visit: holiday. Just visit and be merry!

As a Canadian citizen, you're allowed up to 180 days of vacation time in the US.

Edited February 26, 2009 by M613