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garnet80

Questions about visiting USA from Canada with intent to marry on trip

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  Kurt y Dora said:
  garnet80 said:
Thanks for the replies. Makes sense, and is also very disheartening. :( Seems like no matter what we do there can be no promise of our wedding. We would have just gone for the K1 route, except I am thinking we have too many red flags... I am 11 years older than he is (I'm 29, he is 18), I will be very recently divorced, and we will only have the one trip where we met IRL (can't afford more). Oh and we've only been together a year.

Forgetting the fact you have only met once, at your ages, that IS a very large RELATIVE age difference in terms of his (im)maturity - you are 61% older than he is. Unless he is a very very mature 18 year old AND has had a lot of "experience" (i.e., no future inclination to discover what he "missed"), I would say the odds for a succesful relationship are not in your favor, regardless of nationalities and any cultural differences. I wouldn't worry about the POE officer questioning you, but I would suggest you question yourself. I am sure it has been known to work and statistics are just that - a number. Certainly there must be some marriages with 18 year old boys (I am sorry, he is not a man yet) marrying older women that have worked, but again, the two of your must have an extraordinary relationsip to have a greater than a low percentage of success. I don't know if any other poster brought this up (I didn't read all the responses), but I am willing to bet your story here raised a few eyebrows. Still, other than raising a final warning flag (that your own friends and family probably brought up and you chose to ignore) I wish you luck along with other posters' congratulatory wishes.

As the question she asked wasnt about whether or not her relationship will work (and we have lots of young couples here as well) we answered the one she had instead of giving her un-needed and unwanted advice. I'm sure as shes already been married once that she understands what shes getting into and has a good idea of her relationship so its not our place to say it will or will not work, just letting her know that the 11 years isn't an issue. Theres a lot of mature 18-21 year olds up here. I wish you all the best garnet with whichever visa path you choose and keep us informed :D

~*~*~Steph and Wes~*~*~
Married: 2010-01-20

ROC: (for the complete timeline click on my timeline button, the signature was getting too long!)
I-751 Sent: 2015-05-22
NOA1 Notice Date: 2015-05-27
NOA1 Received: 2015-06-06
Biometrics Notice Date: 2015-06-27
Biometrics Date: 2015-07-17

Interview Notice Date: 2015-07-28

Interview Date: ​2015-09-01
Approval Date:
Approval Notice Date:


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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted
  garnet80 said:
Well, all I can really say is that it's about the individuals, not the numbers. My fiance is exceptionally mature. If he wasn't, of course this wouldn't work. I was worried about our ages at first too, I won't lie. But it's HIM that I love, not his age. I don't see 18 when I look at him. I see him. And actually we have had support from both sets of parents, and friends. They know us, and know we are good for one another.

Thanks for the replies.

You are right about the individuals being the deciding factor. But as you already know (being a recent divorcee) that it's so tough finding the right person, eventhoughyou think everything is "right" on paper. I was just playing a bit of a devil's advocate :devil: since you said you were only recently divorced and "rebound" relationships can happen for the wrong reasons. Good luck with the immigration process AND of course in your marriage. :thumbs:

5/20/08 Met through a mutual friend in Medellin

7/02/08 - 10/27/08 Visited 5 times

12/08/08 6th Visit Medellin (gave "Promise" ring to be exclusive)

1/22/09 - 6/21/09 4 more visits. 6/22/09 GOT ENGAGED!

7/25/09 11th Visit Met in Panama

9/19/09 12th Visit Met in Medellin for Dial Del Amor y Amistad

6/23-7/21 Gathered paperwork and applied for I-129F 7/24/09 USCIS acknowledges Receipt of I-129F application NOA1

9/28/09 NOA2 received!!! Only 66 days! 10/02/09 NSC Received and completed Application and sent to Bogota

10/02/09 Embassy received application (my lawyer is two weeks behind informing me - time line information learned on 10/15/09)

10/09/09 Embassy sent out Package 3 10/15/09 Package 3 not received - downloaded forms from website.

10/16/09 Submitted DS-2100 and Ds-230 to apply for interview date. 10/23/09 Received Interview date (had to call DOS)

12/09/09 Interview - VISA GRANTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1/07/10 Arrived in Miami, cleared Immigration with no problems. Arrived in Charlotte to a freaking cold spell 55 degrees colder than Dora has ever experienced.

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  Kurt y Dora said:
  garnet80 said:
Well, all I can really say is that it's about the individuals, not the numbers. My fiance is exceptionally mature. If he wasn't, of course this wouldn't work. I was worried about our ages at first too, I won't lie. But it's HIM that I love, not his age. I don't see 18 when I look at him. I see him. And actually we have had support from both sets of parents, and friends. They know us, and know we are good for one another.

Thanks for the replies.

You are right about the individuals being the deciding factor. But as you already know (being a recent divorcee) that it's so tough finding the right person, eventhoughyou think everything is "right" on paper. I was just playing a bit of a devil's advocate :devil: since you said you were only recently divorced and "rebound" relationships can happen for the wrong reasons. Good luck with the immigration process AND of course in your marriage. :thumbs:

Well I hope you enjoyed playing the devil's advocate, I personally think it added zero to this discussion.

If you want to play D.A. again, I would suggest you work on doing that while not insulting someone at the same time.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted
  Kathryn41 said:
He is allowed to enter the US and get married as long as he isn't intending on remaining in the US and applying to adjust status. It is a toss-up at the border about what will happen. First, travellling with his parents is probably in his favour as they can also verify that he is returning to Canada after the wedding. He should arm himself with lots of evidence of his intentions to return to Canada - things like having a letter from his employer stating he is expected back at work on such and such a date; evidence of financial commitments he retains in Canada - an apartment lease, car payments, phone bills, insurance bills/policies, internet service, etc. He should only bring enough clothing with him for the time he will be staying - and no seasonally variable clothing so that if it is winter he doesn't have summer clothes, etc.

While you can plan for the CR-1 or K-3 most will tell you that the CR-1 is the route to go - it now takes about the same length of time as the K-3 and is both cheaper and better in terms of what you get, so you may want to decide that now. You can start planning for your I-130 petition to start the CR-1 once you are married and perhaps even include a photocopy of the petition to him to show at the border as further evidence of your intent.

He definitely doesn't want to 'lie' to the border officials but if not asked directly he doesn't need to volunteer that he is going to get married. If he is able to say that he and his parents are visiting his fiancee and her family for the week and will be returning on such and such a date, it will help. If asked about when he plans to marry he can say the date and reiterate that he is not intending to stay in the US after the marriage but that you two are going the CR-1 route and as soon as you get the marriage certificate will be submitting the I-130 to start the process.

Basically, he needs to be able to reassure the border authorities that he is not an immigration risk and the more evidence he can provide that he will be - and needs to be - returning to Canada, the better. His parents may also want to bring evidence of their own ties to Canada as well to prove their intentions and to help reinforce their son's.

Will the definitely let him across the border? No one can say - it will depend on the border guard that day when he applies to enter the US.

He could look into getting a B-2 visa and again he would need to convince the Consulate that his intentions are only to visit and that he will not be staying in the US on that visit. He will have an interview at the Consulate, I believe, so would need to provide the same sort of evidence to them. The good thing about this approach is that if he is denied, you will know it before he arrives at the border and you can make other plans.

Good luck. I am sure that there will be others who will give you the benefit of their expertise and experiences as well.

Just read what happened to me in my profile. I was coming to the states to marry and go back home to Canada but was denied by a border guard who didn't know much and decided to play God. Lost over 17,000.00 in a wedding that never was able to get to. I Didn't want to move because my daughter could move until she turned 12.

Finally decided to enough ####### with useless guards and applied for a fiance visa even though I didn't want to move here. Now , I have my 10 yr greencard and am waiting to be re-united with my 13 yr old daughter (Hubby applied for her visa)

Am I still bitter about this? HECK YA !

A Lily & A Rose...Together Forever !

April 28th INTERVIEW DATE !!!!!!!! APPROVED

June 30th Arrived in my Sweeties Arms !!

August 4th.2005 Our Wedding

Sept. 19th Sent AOS

Sept 28th recieved NOA for AOS

Nov.05/05 recieved Biometrics letter

Nov.17th Biometrics Appt.

Nov. 22nd. AP Approved

Nov. 25th/05 recieved EAD card

Nov.30th. recieved AP Papers in mail

Dec. 08th/05 Recieved Snail mail letter for AOS Interview Feb 15th 7:40 AM.

Feb. 15th. /06 AOS Interview SUCCESS !!!! no more to deal with for another 2 yrs!

Feb. 27th./06 Recieved Greencard in the mail

August 4th/06 Our First Wedding Anniversary !!

Feb. 8th 08 Sent in Packet to remove conditions

Feb 23rd 08 Recieve NOA letter stating they are extending my Greencard for another year.

March 11th 08 biometrics appt.

May 29th 08 recieved email stating Card production ordered

June 7th 2008 10 yr card recieved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

alfie.jpg

My lil Alfie boy

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

As Marilyn borrowed from my signature,NEVER lie!!! But only answer the questions, don't tell them ur life story! And if they dont ask about marriage, dont bring it up!! Sure one can go and get married in the USA and leave,thats all good, BUT that POE officer has to make a judgement call and thats not always an easy one!! A few on VJ think these POE guards are out to get them, or screw around with their lives! I don't belive that is true! You should put the blame on the people that are breaking the law, thus forcing POE officers to make these decisions! And don't loose ur cool at the POE if you do by chance get denied, remain calm and in control and show respect, it may be hard to do, but they truly can make ur visa journey a lot more complicated than it has to be!! So in short, keep ur replies to the POE officer simple and to the point AND look them in the EYES when answering and answer them confidently! I'm sure it will go well. Best of luck

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Unless you have extremley strong ties to Canada including a job, home etc, they are most 100% going to deny you entry to marry if they find out. The would probably also put a flag on you so you will be questioned every time after you ever visit the US.

The reason is you can claim you are comming back to Canada, but in most cases people never do this. They will not take that chance at the border...

I'm just a wanderer in the desert winds...

Timeline

1997

Oct - Job offer in US

Nov - Received my TN-1 to be authorized to work in the US

Nov - Moved to US

1998-2001

Recieved 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th TN

2002

May - Met future wife at arts fest

Nov - Recieved 6th TN

2003

Nov - Recieved 7th TN

Jul - Our Wedding

Aug - Filed for AOS

Sep - Recieved EAD

Sep - Recieved Advanced Parole

2004

Jan - Interview, accepted for Green Card

Feb - Green Card Arrived in mail

2005

Oct - I-751 sent off

2006

Jan - 10 year Green Card accepted

Mar - 10 year Green Card arrived

Oct - Filed N-400 for Naturalization

Nov - Biometrics done

Nov - Just recieved Naturalization Interview date for Jan.

2007

Jan - Naturalization Interview Completed

Feb - Oath Letter recieved

Feb - Oath Ceremony

Feb 21 - Finally a US CITIZEN (yay)

THE END

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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