Coming into America during K-1 process

[PlatyPius 5]

Oops! I posted it elsewhere.... in the "VJ gets a break" thread. She entered with no problems at all - didn't even need any of the "evidence of ties to the UK" that she brought with her. She's still here....in bed asleep at the moment (I just got home from work). She leaves a week from today, though. Wish this were all done and she wasn't going anywhere.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I travelled to the US a number of times while we were waiting for our K-1 to process. I never had a problem, although I was pulled into secondary once where they reviewed my evidence of Canadian ties. I brought with me pay stubs, active insurance papers, most recent utility bills, most recent vet bills, car ownership, health claims submitted for repayment, anything that indicated I had lots of reasons to return to Canada along with my return airline tickets. I also had a photocopy of the K-1 application with me to show we were following a legal route and had initiated the paperwork. The only time I didn't have the evidence with me and they asked for it was when I was going to the airport in Detroit to pick up my fiance. He let me in on the proviso that I stop off at US immigration on my way out of the country to verify that I was leaving - which we did.

[Krikit 1,164]

I cross every 2-4 weeks at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo/Fort Erie and have never once had a problem. Generally, I get asked how long I'll be away, whether I have a return ticket (when I fly out of Buffalo Airport) and what I do for a living. Sometimes I get asked why my fiance lives where he does. It's usually fairly short and sweet these days. In the beginning they'd ask questions like how did we meet, what's his name, what does he do for a living, is this my car, do I own my own home.... things like that. The only documentation I have ever been asked to provide is my passport and, once, I had to show my return airline ticket.

I recently crossed with my mother and sister for a shopping trip to Erie, PA. Because my sister lives in England and has an EEC passport, the agent took all of our passports and directed us inside. No questions were asked of my mother or myself, but my sister was processed as a visitor (biometrics, pic, waiver). This led me to believe that they did not look me up in their database so, as a result, they asked no questions. OR.... there was no K1 visa status information in their database (this was prior to the approval) so they asked no questions. I'm told the information is available to them so who knows what happened. Maybe they're just familiar with me going back and forth now.

Anyway, my impression from reading other posts is that the busier the POE, the more knowledgeable the agents are. As long as you are truthful you shouldn't encounter any problems. (Other than the customary, short, demeanor of the agents, of course.)

[daisy16 0]

I crossed at Queenston/Lewiston twice during the K-1 process. No problems. I was just going to visit though.

fwiw, While we were in Montreal for my interview, there was a guy there who got married while waiting for the K-1 to be processed. He was freaking out because they had to start ALL OVER with a different visa.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck....you get the idea.

[hockeygal 0]

I've crossed twice since the K-1 and no problems. This last time I said "I have a letter!" because I am tired of shlepping my "proof" around with me and no one ever looks at it. He laughed like I was drunk, or crazy, and read it and that was it. I'm not sure how much they can see in the system prior to approval. I just say I am off to see my boyfriend, they express sympathy at the distance or ask how in the world I ended up involved with some guy over there, and that is usually that. OF course, as I've stated before, I find they usually stop asking questions when they find out where I work (sorta same dept. as them in Canada) and I've wondered if that is just coincidence or plays some sort of role in it all.

[Krikit 1,164]

. OF course, as I've stated before, I find they usually stop asking questions when they find out where I work (sorta same dept. as them in Canada) and I've wondered if that is just coincidence or plays some sort of role in it all.

I agree they always stop asking questions as soon as I tell them what I do for a living. I believe they place a higher degree of trust in you if you hold a position of trust or responsibility.

[Lemchan 0]

Haha, yeah, I've gotten that impression from "normal" border crossings I've made in the past.

I work for the government up here, I figure that carries some weight

Right now I am not too worried. Going to have a go at going into the USA in a couple weeks.

. OF course, as I've stated before, I find they usually stop asking questions when they find out where I work (sorta same dept. as them in Canada) and I've wondered if that is just coincidence or plays some sort of role in it all.

I agree they always stop asking questions as soon as I tell them what I do for a living. I believe they place a higher degree of trust in you if you hold a position of trust or responsibility.