Can I visit with a visa in my passport?

[SapphireDreams 71]

I can't seem to find any info on this... I have my interview next week, but I don't plan to move until June 22nd in order to just save more money and coordinate with one of our major client's fiscal years at work (I know I'm dedicated, ha).

We will continue to visit eachother as usual in April and May, and rather than having R travel here every time, I was hoping to go there one more time.

Can I go through US Border Patrol with my K1 in my passport and just tell them, I'm visiting for the weekend and coming back and then moving in June?

Or, since for ground travel I can just use my birth certificate, can I take the bus to Buffalo and then fly from there? Will I be in the system? I would fly back through Pearson and just show the CPB my passport - I'm sure they would have no issue.

Thoughts? I'm guessing it would be up to the Officer and it would be a risk.

I would bring a letter from my employer stating that I'm back to work and other ties.

[Sprailenes 47]

I believe you can but you just let them know you are not activating your visa yet.

Its up to you when you want to activate the visa. But I am sure someone else with more of a solid answer can pipe in on this.

[JillA 2]

I think it's a crapshoot.... when I had my interview the gentleman made it clear that the K-1 was valid for ONE activation only. So I didn't want to take any chances, I just stuck it out and Glen visited me every month until I moved. I read somewhere on here too that someone went for their K-1 interview and told the officer they HAD to go to the US for a wedding before their activation and the interviewer suggested they come back to put the Visa in their passport because she could not enter twice. I personally wouldn't want to risk it but you could take the chance. I don't think a letter from the employer would help, because it's not an issue that you're not coming back, it's that you've been granted the K-1 and the rules are it's valid for a one time entry and it has to be activated upon your next entry, that's what I understood.

Edited March 10, 2009 by JillA

[Flames9_RN 358]

Prob no 100% answer to this--I know others on VJ that have, but again, all comes down to the POE officer

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I was told by a lawyer that once it is issued in your passport, your next trip over activates it.

So I guess you'd be taking a chance? If it's not a long drive to the boarder for you, then it may be worth a try... but if it's quite the trip, then being turned away would be a bummer

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Its probably possible but I would seriously suggest you not doing it... After going through this long daunting process, you don't want to mess it up! Maybe try e-mailing or calling the POE to ask the details? I've heard of people getting some pretty decent information from them.

[Wis-Can 0]

I think its going to be up to the officer at the POE. You might get a "nice" one that will let you through. If your close to a border crossing I would try it, bring your ties to Canada with you. If they tell you no, you'll have to activate your visa well then you can turn around. I'd like to try it as well. My honey is just so busy at work, and I hate leaving my workplace until someone is trained well when I do leave, that I thought I would stay through the busy summer season and go down in the fall. But hope to visit through the summer. I'll have to watch and see how you make out! All the best.

[Carlawarla 1]

Agreed, it's probably up to the BP when you try and cross. However, there are some people who have done it. Krikit was one I believe, and she phoned ahead to the border and asked specifically. Told them her dates etc. and they suggested that she not get the visa put into her passport until she wanted to use it for activation. Thus, when she went to the interview, I think she told them this, and while the visa's date was when it was issued, they just had her mail in her passport when she was ready to have it placed in there and that was after she made a few trips.

A few other people have as well gone over, and it's been the same thing in that the BP is the one that made the decision. I think those people were of the belief that if they couldn't get across, that was okay, if so, then that was a bonus, and they weren't really too upset if they couldn't do it. One person I think came over for a wedding, and brought with them to the border, the invitation, letter from their employer etc. to bolster their story about just crossing for the wedding, then coming back, and moving a little later.

You might want to PM Krikit, I know she went through Montreal, however it was a few years ago now but she may be able to confirm it, and suggest some additional information.

All the best, and let us know how you make out!

[SapphireDreams 71]

Thanks guys - That's exactly what I thought, that it was really a crapshoot.

I think I'll just stick it out and wait here until I leave. It's only 3 more months, so it's not the end of the world really, just would've been nice to go back one more time as a visitor.

[Sprailenes 47]

That would SUCK! Poor sapphire goes over for a little visit and they end up activating her visa on her and she can't return... it's not funny but it is in a really bad comedy movie type way.

[Krikit 1,164]

Haha. My ears were burning.

I crossed with the visa in my passport without a problem. Just explained to the officer that I would be using the visa at a later date as I had a house to sell and a job to resign from first. That was at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo. When I went for my interview in Montreal I asked this question specifically. We were told that there is no policy which requires someone to use the visa when they cross but that it was up to the officer at the POE whether they allow you to do that or not. The Consulate Officer said if I was worried about it I could send them my passport when I was ready to move and they would insert the visa at that time. In any event, if you cross at a land border, you don't need to use your passport until June..... you just need two pieces of ID.... one with a pic.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Just as an update. I asked the visa officer at the Consulate about crossing with my birth certificate and she said not to do that because they have a record of my visa linked to my name... so they'll know I'm avoiding using my passport.

She offered to delay the issuing of the visa - but we decided just to get it done now and hold off on me visiting... I'm movign in June, so it's no biggie.

Anyways, just wanted to update.

[Krikit 1,164]

I guess that means you've had your interview! Congratulations!

[SapphireDreams 71]

I guess that means you've had your interview! Congratulations!

Yuppers!! Easiest part of the whole process!

[OBX 51]

I guess that means you've had your interview! Congratulations!

Yuppers!! Easiest part of the whole process!

Congratulations