New Member - Need Help

[SapphireDreams 71]

I was never asked for anything, although I came prepared. I was honest with the borderguard and stated that I was going to visit my boyfriend and then once we were engaged I referred to him as my fiance.

- I always had a letter from my employer stating when they knew I'd be away and when they expected me back at work.

- my return trip information if I was flying back (which I was the majority of the time)

Frankly, having a copy of bills you pay or Dr's appointments scheduled (what piece of 'official paper' would you have?) aren't very good proof, you could fake a Dr's appt and bills can be paid from anywhere, you don't have to return to Canada to pay them.

If you've filed for the K-1, I've heard a lot of people bring a copy of that paperwork along to prove they are filing it. I personally never saw the need to have it, but hey - why not be prepared

yeah i wont be filing until im there in the US but ill have already had my necessary documents i need for my parts of the I-129. 6 months is a long time and i just don't think my employer would give me a note? what exactly is it? just a typed note saying i plan to return to my job?

A letter basically stating that you are employed by them and when you are expected to return to work and that your job is being held for you in your case since it is for 6 months.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I was never asked for anything, although I came prepared. I was honest with the borderguard and stated that I was going to visit my boyfriend and then once we were engaged I referred to him as my fiance.

- I always had a letter from my employer stating when they knew I'd be away and when they expected me back at work.

- my return trip information if I was flying back (which I was the majority of the time)

Frankly, having a copy of bills you pay or Dr's appointments scheduled (what piece of 'official paper' would you have?) aren't very good proof, you could fake a Dr's appt and bills can be paid from anywhere, you don't have to return to Canada to pay them.

If you've filed for the K-1, I've heard a lot of people bring a copy of that paperwork along to prove they are filing it. I personally never saw the need to have it, but hey - why not be prepared

yeah i wont be filing until im there in the US but ill have already had my necessary documents i need for my parts of the I-129. 6 months is a long time and i just don't think my employer would give me a note? what exactly is it? just a typed note saying i plan to return to my job?

Well - whether your employer will still have a job for your if you go away for 6 months is something separate....did they agree you can take a leave? If yes, then they shoud have no problem writing a letter.

If you don't know if you have a job when you get back, you might want to bring some other evidence....and be HONEST no matter what

[SapphireDreams 71]

I was never asked for anything, although I came prepared. I was honest with the borderguard and stated that I was going to visit my boyfriend and then once we were engaged I referred to him as my fiance.

- I always had a letter from my employer stating when they knew I'd be away and when they expected me back at work.

- my return trip information if I was flying back (which I was the majority of the time)

Frankly, having a copy of bills you pay or Dr's appointments scheduled (what piece of 'official paper' would you have?) aren't very good proof, you could fake a Dr's appt and bills can be paid from anywhere, you don't have to return to Canada to pay them.

If you've filed for the K-1, I've heard a lot of people bring a copy of that paperwork along to prove they are filing it. I personally never saw the need to have it, but hey - why not be prepared

yeah i wont be filing until im there in the US but ill have already had my necessary documents i need for my parts of the I-129. 6 months is a long time and i just don't think my employer would give me a note? what exactly is it? just a typed note saying i plan to return to my job?

Well - whether your employer will still have a job for your if you go away for 6 months is something separate....did they agree you can take a leave? If yes, then they shoud have no problem writing a letter.

If you don't know if you have a job when you get back, you might want to bring some other evidence....and be HONEST no matter what

Good point. I was seeing it more around that you are on leave and they are expected you back by a certain date. Sort of like your job is somewhat guaranteed.

Another thing I would be prepared to do is show that you have enough money to support yourself for that 6 months. When I was visiting my boyfriend when I was younger and in school, they always got on my case about how i intended to support myself. Even when I was visiting for 5 days.

A return ticket is good to have, along with a lease or registration for school. My employment letter was really the only thing I brought along... so I don't have any other ideas, sorry.

[kaylamarie 0]

I was never asked for anything, although I came prepared. I was honest with the borderguard and stated that I was going to visit my boyfriend and then once we were engaged I referred to him as my fiance.

- I always had a letter from my employer stating when they knew I'd be away and when they expected me back at work.

- my return trip information if I was flying back (which I was the majority of the time)

Frankly, having a copy of bills you pay or Dr's appointments scheduled (what piece of 'official paper' would you have?) aren't very good proof, you could fake a Dr's appt and bills can be paid from anywhere, you don't have to return to Canada to pay them.

If you've filed for the K-1, I've heard a lot of people bring a copy of that paperwork along to prove they are filing it. I personally never saw the need to have it, but hey - why not be prepared

yeah i wont be filing until im there in the US but ill have already had my necessary documents i need for my parts of the I-129. 6 months is a long time and i just don't think my employer would give me a note? what exactly is it? just a typed note saying i plan to return to my job?

Well - whether your employer will still have a job for your if you go away for 6 months is something separate....did they agree you can take a leave? If yes, then they shoud have no problem writing a letter.

If you don't know if you have a job when you get back, you might want to bring some other evidence....and be HONEST no matter what

Good point. I was seeing it more around that you are on leave and they are expected you back by a certain date. Sort of like your job is somewhat guaranteed.

Another thing I would be prepared to do is show that you have enough money to support yourself for that 6 months. When I was visiting my boyfriend when I was younger and in school, they always got on my case about how i intended to support myself. Even when I was visiting for 5 days.

A return ticket is good to have, along with a lease or registration for school. My employment letter was really the only thing I brought along... so I don't have any other ideas, sorry.

so after my 6 months is up, and i come back i have to wait another 6 before i can even go back?

[trailmix 77]

Woo hoo, post 125

No, you can go right back if you want to.

Here is the thing. Canadians are allowed to stay up to 6 months at a time to visit. So you can enter the U.S. to visit, go back to the border, turn around and try to come back in.

I say 'try' because at that point I doubt very much that the border officer is going to believe that you are just 'visiting' and not taking up residence in the U.S. without the proper visa.

Edited October 16, 2009 by trailmix

[kaylamarie 0]

Woo hoo, post 125

No, you can go right back if you want to.

Here is the thing. Canadians are allowed to stay up to 6 months at a time to visit. So you can enter the U.S. to visit, go back to the border, turn around and try to come back in.

I say 'try' because at that point I doubt very much that the border officer is going to believe that you are just 'visiting' and not taking up residence in the U.S. without the proper visa.

ohhhh hmmm cause i was thinking on going to montreal, doing that then going back. for my medical exam does it -have- to be in toronto? i live in peterborough ontario

when i go through poe for the first time when they ask who im visiting to i point to him and be like "him, my boyfriend" ?

and by the time the interview in montreal was done id have a visa, so wouldn't that make it easier?

Edited October 16, 2009 by kaylamarie

[Varba 0]

ohhhh hmmm cause i was thinking on going to montreal, doing that then going back. for my medical exam does it -have- to be in toronto? i live in peterborough ontario

when i go through poe for the first time when they ask who im visiting to i point to him and be like "him, my boyfriend" ?

and by the time the interview in montreal was done id have a visa, so wouldn't that make it easier?

1) It doesn't have to be Toronto, but it must be an approved physician... I believe the closest is in Toronto, for you.

2) Just indicate that you'll be staying with him, yes. Be careful how you phrase it, respectfully that statement is fine - smartly and you're asking for a world of hurt.

3) I don't understand the question.

[trailmix 77]

There are 4 U.S. panel physicians in Canada, you can go to any one of them, the list is here:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/MTL-ME...L-0001-0810.pdf

If you mean on your second 'visit' you will have your K1 visa, then no - completely different set of circumstances - at that point you ARE entering with a visa - not as a 'visitor'.

[kaylamarie 0]

There are 4 U.S. panel physicians in Canada, you can go to any one of them, the list is here:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/MTL-ME...L-0001-0810.pdf

If you mean on your second 'visit' you will have your K1 visa, then no - completely different set of circumstances - at that point you ARE entering with a visa - not as a 'visitor'.

well i wont actually have it since it will just be after the interview but the process will already have been started i just mean, ill have it to prove that i will be returning to canada again

so according to that website i can have my medical exam in montreal?

Edited October 16, 2009 by kaylamarie

[Danu 19]

with the timelines right now you could be waiting up to 6 months from putting your P3 back to montreal just to get an interview, so I'd be planning more on the 8-9 month range before you actually get one. If you were heading back after your interview but before you got your visa...you can't cuz you won't have your passport, the consulate will. You can have your medical in MTL for sure, you just can't have it before you get your P3 in the mail (you need the letter they send to prove you actually are applying for a visa, so they can fill the paperwork out properly)

Edited October 16, 2009 by Danu

[kaylamarie 0]

with the timelines right now you could be waiting up to 6 months from putting your P3 back to montreal just to get an interview, so I'd be planning more on the 8-9 month range before you actually get one. If you were heading back after your interview but before you got your visa...you can't cuz you won't have your passport, the consulate will. You can have your medical in MTL for sure, you just can't have it before you get your P3 in the mail (you need the letter they send to prove you actually are applying for a visa, so they can fill the paperwork out properly)

your saying i can't visit after the interview? what

[Danu 19]

with the timelines right now you could be waiting up to 6 months from putting your P3 back to montreal just to get an interview, so I'd be planning more on the 8-9 month range before you actually get one. If you were heading back after your interview but before you got your visa...you can't cuz you won't have your passport, the consulate will. You can have your medical in MTL for sure, you just can't have it before you get your P3 in the mail (you need the letter they send to prove you actually are applying for a visa, so they can fill the paperwork out properly)

your saying i can't visit after the interview? what

If you have the interview and are approved and try to visit before you get your passport back you won't get through the border because of the passport requirment for entry now, likewise if you go to "visit" after you get it back, theres not really an option to visit because that will activate your K1 visa. At that point, you are just moving to the states.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Danu

[trailmix 77]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

Edited October 16, 2009 by trailmix

[kaylamarie 0]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

Edited October 16, 2009 by kaylamarie

[Varba 0]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

The interview is a very late step.

First, your I-129 packet gets sent.

Then you get your NOA1 & NOA2.

After your NOA2, border crossings are still possible but you'll want extra documentation.

At some point, you'll get your packet 3 in the mail - fill this out and wait for an interview.

Finally, you'll have an interview, and be (hopefully) approved. At this point you'll be mailed a visa.

This is the point where you can NOT cross as a visitor any longer. Crossing into the US will trigger the K-1 visa to be activated meaning you have three months to get married or you will have violated the terms of the visa.

There is only one interview in the process.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Varba