Do I need a Visitor's Visa?

[Revenesque 2]

But I won't have a job. So what can I do? I am employed NOW, and will be right up until August but then my contract is over. So while without a job, I thought I would visit my fiance for a few months. I thought getting a Visitor's Visa (with him as my sponsor) would be the best way to do this, but I guess I'm wrong.

Yeah...I'd plan for that to be a BIG problem.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Revenesque

[bowflex 0]

But I won't have a job. So what can I do? I am employed NOW, and will be right up until August but then my contract is over. So while without a job, I thought I would visit my fiance for a few months. I thought getting a Visitor's Visa (with him as my sponsor) would be the best way to do this, but I guess I'm wrong.

Unfortunately this could be a big problem as what other ties will you have? Bank statements and everything are good but I'd think that the two biggest links a guard would be looking for would be employment and housing. Just be sure that under no circumstances do you lie about how long you're going to visit for if asked, even if you think you're going to be denied entry, that's the biggest no-no you can do.

[Josie Grossie 0]

Yeah...I plan for that to be a BIG problem.

So, I have no options then while that K1 visa is processing since I won't have a job to come back to?

Unfortunately this could be a big problem as what other ties will you have? Bank statements and everything are good but I'd think that the two biggest links a guard would be looking for would be employment and housing. Just be sure that under no circumstances do you lie about how long you're going to visit for if asked, even if you think you're going to be denied entry, that's the biggest no-no you can do.

I'd never lie.

I will have bank statements, bills to pay, my family here, a place to live (WITH family, but where I do pay rent but am not on a lease) ... I don't know what else I can show them except an airplane ticket back home.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Josie Grossie

[Flames9_RN 358]

As I have said before and like others--its totally unpredictable! Sometimes they dont even ask you any questions other than what is your purpose of this trip? One has to be prepared of course, and be prepared to be denied entry! Just never LIE, BUT never blab away! Be very direct/short with ur answers

[Sprailenes 47]

You should change your name to Greedy Needy.

Bai.

[Josie Grossie 0]

You should change your name to Greedy Needy.

Bai.

How am I being either? I'm just asking questions and want clarification on how to do things the right way. If I can't, then I can't.

[Revenesque 2]

So, I have no options then while that K1 visa is processing since I won't have a job to come back to?

If I were in your situation, I would find another work after my contract ends and make short visits to the US. If that's not an option for you, be prepared to be denied at the border.

[Josie Grossie 0]

If I were in your situation, I would find another work after my contract ends and make short visits to the US. If that's not an option for you, be prepared to be denied at the border.

Okay, thank you.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

But I won't have a job. So what can I do? I am employed NOW, and will be right up until August but then my contract is over. So while without a job, I thought I would visit my fiance for a few months. I thought getting a Visitor's Visa (with him as my sponsor) would be the best way to do this, but I guess I'm wrong.

A visitors visa wouldn't matter. They can deny you entry with or without a visa, it is just the same.

Sometimes people who say they have an American boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance/fiancee, or spouse at the border are sent to secondary and questioned. Sometimes people are asked for very strong and compelling ties to Canada, and sometimes people are asked for very specific things (usually a job or a lease) in order to be let in. However, there are also many cases where the crossing Canadian wasn't asked for anything. They were let through the border with very few questions and were never asked for ties. This probably happens more often than the questioning scenario.

However, if you show up at the border and say you are going to visit your fiance for 6 months, you tell them you haven't filled for a visa, and you don't have a job or lease to come back too, there might be a problem. Its the border guards job to screen people who they believe are a. threats to national security and b. attempting to move to and live in the US without the proper visa. Can you see how this scenario may make the border guard believe you are intending on going to the US, marry your fiance, and then adjusting status to stay in the US? From an objective perspective, I can see why someone would believe this.

Think of it this way, it doesn't hurt to try. If you tell the truth at the border about your intentions and they deny you entry then it is just that, a denial at the border. This will not effect your visa application in the future. So if you have nothing to lose, then try it. We're just trying to tell you that you need to be prepared in case they decide you are inadmissible, that's all. You may have a problem trying to cross this time, and you may not. You may have a problem trying to cross the second, third or fourth time, or you may not. Nobody call tell you for sure.

Good luck!

[Josie Grossie 0]

A visitors visa wouldn't matter. They can deny you entry with or without a visa, it is just the same.

Sometimes people who say they have an American boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance/fiancee, or spouse at the border are sent to secondary and questioned. Sometimes people are asked for very strong and compelling ties to Canada, and sometimes people are asked for very specific things (usually a job or a lease) in order to be let in. However, there are also many cases where the crossing Canadian wasn't asked for anything. They were let through the border with very few questions and were never asked for ties. This probably happens more often than the questioning scenario.

However, if you show up at the border and say you are going to visit your fiance for 6 months, you tell them you haven't filled for a visa, and you don't have a job or lease to come back too, there might be a problem. Its the border guards job to screen people who they believe are a. threats to national security and b. attempting to move to and live in the US without the proper visa. Can you see how this scenario may make the border guard believe you are intending on going to the US, marry your fiance, and then adjusting status to stay in the US? From an objective perspective, I can see why someone would believe this.

Think of it this way, it doesn't hurt to try. If you tell the truth at the border about your intentions and they deny you entry then it is just that, a denial at the border. This will not effect your visa application in the future. So if you have nothing to lose, then try it. We're just trying to tell you that you need to be prepared in case they decide you are inadmissible, that's all. You may have a problem trying to cross this time, and you may not. You may have a problem trying to cross the second, third or fourth time, or you may not. Nobody call tell you for sure.

Good luck!

No, I absolutely understand why the border patrol could think it was suspicious. I just want to do things the right way, which is why I came here to ask So it's the fact that there will be a K1 visa in process that would bring up the red flag, or is it just the "no job to come back to" thing? I am sure unemployed people visit family/friends in the United States all the time, right? Or maybe I'm just naive about the whole thing, who knows.

Thanks very much for your polite reply. I appreciate it.

[lgg 2]

Yep. Agreed here. Stack up the coffers as the cost for all this and moving and such is not insignificant. It won't seem that long once it's done and it will be WELL worth it rather than being denied. EVery single time I visited, I had all my letters showing proof of ties to Canada. Letters from both my employers stating when I left for vacation and when I was to return to work. A copy of my lease and a letter from my landlord and a boatload of other stuff. Getting denied would suck AND it would make future travel really difficult.

If I were in your situation, I would find another work after my contract ends and make short visits to the US. If that's not an option for you, be prepared to be denied at the border.

[Revenesque 2]

No, I absolutely understand why the border patrol could think it was suspicious. I just want to do things the right way, which is why I came here to ask So it's the fact that there will be a K1 visa in process that would bring up the red flag, or is it just the "no job to come back to" thing? I am sure unemployed people visit family/friends in the United States all the time, right? Or maybe I'm just naive about the whole thing, who knows.

Thanks very much for your polite reply. I appreciate it.

I believe it's your unemployment status that's a red flag first, compounded by the fact you have a K1 visa in process that confirms your intention to immigrate.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Actually, having a pending K-1 petition seems to help people more often than hurt them. It shows the border guard you know the law and are intending on moving to the US using legal channels. It might be a good idea to try and file for the K-1 before your long visit to see your fiance. Another option may be getting paperwork and evidence together so when you get to the border, if they question your intentions you can show them the K-1 visa petition you are preparing and say you are going to file sometime in the coming weeks.

Unemployed people cross into the US all the time, for sure. But crossing into the US to visit family or friends, is different than crossing to visit a fiancee or spouse. There is a pretty big distinction to be made. You can't marry your uncle, then adjust status, but you can marry your fiance and adjust status!

A lot of us were very naive about this in the beginning, so you're not alone. I crossed for years to visit my then boyfriend, sometimes with 1 way tickets, and never with prof of ties to Canada. I was never questioned, and never had a problem, but I was lucky. You might be lucky too, but you may be one of the few they throw the book at, one never knows!

[Josie Grossie 0]

Actually, having a pending K-1 petition seems to help people more often than hurt them. It shows the border guard you know the law and are intending on moving to the US using legal channels. It might be a good idea to try and file for the K-1 before your long visit to see your fiance. Another option may be getting paperwork and evidence together so when you get to the border, if they question your intentions you can show them the K-1 visa petition you are preparing and say you are going to file sometime in the coming weeks.

Unemployed people cross into the US all the time, for sure. But crossing into the US to visit family or friends, is different than crossing to visit a fiancee or spouse. There is a pretty big distinction to be made. You can't marry your uncle, then adjust status, but you can marry your fiance and adjust status!

A lot of us were very naive about this in the beginning, so you're not alone. I crossed for years to visit my then boyfriend, sometimes with 1 way tickets, and never with prof of ties to Canada. I was never questioned, and never had a problem, but I was lucky. You might be lucky too, but you may be one of the few they throw the book at, one never knows!

We do plan on starting the K1 process before the long visit. The long visit was tentatively planned for August/September while the K1 process, we were planning on starting next month while I am there visiting for a couple of weeks.

[Flames9_RN 358]

why not just start it now!! Sooner u start, the better, as it can take awhile!!