Travel to US while application pending

[choles 0]

Hello all,

Well, we've just sent off our DS-230 and checklist to Montreal, we're doing DCF. We are hoping to hear soon of course, but I doubt it will be in time for a family wedding we have at the end of June in the US. The USC can go to the US at any time right? But can the Canadian applicant/beneficiary travel while the immigration application is still in process? Could we be denied entry? I'd have a return ticket, show the wedding invite, get a letter from the boss verifying return to work, but even then might it not be enough? I know the official answer - the customs officer has right to deny entry as he/she feels fit, but I'm just wondering if any of you have any experience or recommendations about this. I can stay back and let my wife attend alone if needed, but of course I prefer to go too if I can...

Thanks in advance.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

While its impossible to say for sure, based on that information I think you have a very good chance of getting through the border without a problem. You have pretty strong ties with a job back in Canada, a return ticket showing your intent to come back home, and you're almost finished with the immigration process. Who would come this far just to try to enter the US and adjust status? Also, your husband lives with you in Canada, correct? So where would you go? It's not like you're trying to escape to the US to be with your husband as soon as possible. He's already with you!

Personally, I'd take that letter from your employer, your return ticket, and your visa paperwork and go for it.

[coraliesolms 47]

You answered your own question.. unfortunately there is NO guarentee, its 100% up to CBP that day. If you show strong ties to canada (as you have), and bring some sort of proof of filing your immigration paperwork. Be honest, upfront and confident, and it shouldn't be a problem.

Stress on the SHOULDNT.. nobody can guarentee it.

[look2me40 0]

While waiting for our K1 interview my girlfriend came to visit before we drove up to Montreal for said interview. Needless to say, I warned her several times about what she should say, what she shouldn't say, etc. Apparently she did so bad while talking to the border security agent at the airport that he straight up said "you know you're telling me all the wrong things here?" Anyway, they sent her back to get further questioning and STILL let her through to catch her flight. That said...it's a ####### shoot every time you try to cross the border.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Not to be rude, or anything negative, BUT you may not get a whole lot of replies, why u ask?? As this is probably the #1 questions asked in the Cdn forum,lol Probably gets asked a few times each week, Not a big deal as we are all free to ask questions and encouraged to do so. My advice is in my signature. It all pretty much boils down to the POE officer and how YOU conduct urself. They are trained to find people lying or hiding information (some better than others,lol) Good word to live by KISS: Keep it simple stupid (stupid can be replaced with other "s" words,lol) Best of luck

[choles 0]

Thanks everyone!! Sounds like we should be good to go, but we'll probably pray on it before we make a final decision.

Great advice flames, thank you.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I wonder if someone should make a post about FAQs about border travel during visa pending and pin it in the Canadian section... I wonder if it'd help at all.

[coraliesolms 47]

Yeah, it wouldnt be a bad idea to pin this thread.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I think its normal for people to get nervous when they're planning on visiting during the process. No matter how many prior experiences and FAQ's you read, you still want reassurance from others. I think most of these threads are made by people who are looking for someone to tell them they're going to be successful and everything will be ok.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I think its normal for people to get nervous when they're planning on visiting during the process. No matter how many prior experiences and FAQ's you read, you still want reassurance from others. I think most of these threads are made by people who are looking for someone to tell them they're going to be successful and everything will be ok.

we nominate u huggles as the "Everything is going to be ok" person, lol

[Hugglebuggles 60]

we nominate u huggles as the "Everything is going to be ok" person, lol

Oh no! I'm overwhelmed with responsibility!

[choles 0]

you're right huggles but it still would be a good idea for this or a similar post to be a pinned post - the advice in flames's sig should be the pinned post itself.

[zenaxe 22]

Yeah, it wouldnt be a bad idea to pin this thread.

Nice rat you got there.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I thought since I suggested it, I'd do an FAQ for travel during the visa process that's related to Canada/US.

Probably wont be up till tomorrow.

Doing the Qs and As based off of what was answered here in the forums. I just wanna help

I will add Flame's signature to the end of the post.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Rhiannercakes

[trailmix 77]

There is a VJ Wiki Page about it here:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Travel_To_The_US_While_Application_Is_Pending

Information in the VJ Wiki Canada page here (which includes Flame's signature):

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada#Visiting_the_U.S._while_your_visa_application_is_pending

A link in the pinned topic created by krikit at the top of the Canada forum here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/191858-canada-immigration-guide/

a guide page here:

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-application.html#4.6