Can I visit the USA for Christmas (forms just sent)?

[God fearing 13]

Hi everyone,

Can someone please tell me if I will be able to visit the USA in December while my visa is being processed.

I submitted the online application & couriered the forms and checklist on October 14, 2010.

I am a born Canadian citizen and do not need a visa to visit the USA

I bought the my plane ticket in September 2010.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Al & Afiah

[Used to be broken 147]

Hi everyone,

Can someone please tell me if I will be able to visit the USA in December while my visa is being processed.

I submitted the online application & couriered the forms and checklist on October 14, 2010.

I am a born Canadian citizen and do not need a visa to visit the USA

I bought the my plane ticket in September 2010.

This is generally a ####### shoot during the process with the Customs Folks. If you have all your documents, have not abandoned your residence in Canada and can provide sufficient proof to the border police that you will in fact return, its a good bet you will have no trouble. Just don't "forget" you have an application pending as if you look around today another poster who came in after marriage tried to slide by on the marriage question and is now in misrepresentation hell.

Good luck hope your holiday is a nice one.

[God fearing 13]

Thank you brokenfamily

Can you explain or reiterate your comment "Just don't "forget" you have an application pending as if you look around today another poster who came in after marriage tried to slide by on the marriage question and is now in misrepresentation hell".

Are you just advising that I tell them I have an application pending?

[JeannieL 44]

You can travel to the US. But as with any other time you cross the line you take a risk of being turned away. Make sure that you take strong ties to Canada with you. Copy of a lease, utility bill, return ticket etc.... Also I have read to take a copy of your paperwork that you filed. A copy of your NOA1 and or 2. Good luck!

[Krikit 1,164]

No one can tell you for sure if you will have a problem at the POE or not. Most Canadians have no problems whatsoever. Just make sure you are honest and bring ties, and have a backup plan. If you read the Visitation FAQ's it will help.

[Krikit 1,164]

Thank you brokenfamily

Can you explain or reiterate your comment "Just don't "forget" you have an application pending as if you look around today another poster who came in after marriage tried to slide by on the marriage question and is now in misrepresentation hell".

Are you just advising that I tell them I have an application pending?

That situation does not pertain to yours. If you are asked about immigration or intent it is always best to be honest. Most people carry some evidence of their application so that they can prove they are going about things the right way if called into secondary.

[God fearing 13]

Thank you all for your advice and recommendations! I truly appreciate it...

I was thinking I had to apply for a B2 visa after reading the travel.gov website. Then I thought it didn't make sense because that would just screw up my packet3.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Al & Afiah

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Yeah, you should have no problems. If you have a lease, bring a copy of that. If you have a job, have your employer sign a letter stating when they expect you back, and most importantly if you have any type of NOA from USCIS, make sure you have a copy of that with you. Vanessa has come in 3 times this year and the only thing they wanted to make sure she had was that NOA... other than that, was smooth sailing.

[God fearing 13]

Yeah, you should have no problems. If you have a lease, bring a copy of that. If you have a job, have your employer sign a letter stating when they expect you back, and most importantly if you have any type of NOA from USCIS, make sure you have a copy of that with you. Vanessa has come in 3 times this year and the only thing they wanted to make sure she had was that NOA... other than that, was smooth sailing.

Will do...Thanks Paul! Hard core evidence was more than re assuring. Btw Vanessa really loves you (visiting 3x this year) ; ). Beautiful!!!

[Yellowhead 12]

I have been told by friends who have gone through the process to avoid mentioning the application pending thing, as they will grill you about coming back. Is it a good idea to avoid the question (not really lying) by calling your fiance your boyfriend, or is it best to put it all out there? It scares me being totally willing to give up information because I fear that I would get the least intelligent border agent who has no idea what a K-1 is... Any advice on this?

FIY, we just started the K-1 process, sent I-129f in Sept, NOA1 received.

[Allie 5]

I have been told by friends who have gone through the process to avoid mentioning the application pending thing, as they will grill you about coming back. Is it a good idea to avoid the question (not really lying) by calling your fiance your boyfriend, or is it best to put it all out there? It scares me being totally willing to give up information because I fear that I would get the least intelligent border agent who has no idea what a K-1 is... Any advice on this?

FIY, we just started the K-1 process, sent I-129f in Sept, NOA1 received.

I entered the U.S numerous times while my K-1 was being processed. I brought along lots of ties to Canada evidence along with my K-1 paperwork and never had a problem. One of my visits was a 3 month stay.

It's better to truthful than to become trapped in a question, because then that small hole you dug trying to avoid has turned into a crater with the Border Officer.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have been told by friends who have gone through the process to avoid mentioning the application pending thing, as they will grill you about coming back. Is it a good idea to avoid the question (not really lying) by calling your fiance your boyfriend, or is it best to put it all out there? It scares me being totally willing to give up information because I fear that I would get the least intelligent border agent who has no idea what a K-1 is... Any advice on this?

FIY, we just started the K-1 process, sent I-129f in Sept, NOA1 received.

You need to be honest about your relationship. If you prevaricate by saying 'visiting friends' or 'visiting girlfriend/boyfriend' and they ask for more details you are then faced with the situation of either lying (NOT a good thing to do at all) or admitting the relationship is something 'more'. Then, they will become suspicious because you tried to hide the nature of the relationship and what else might you be hiding, so yes, you could indeed come in for a grilling, and possibly a turn back at the border.

When we were working through our K-1 I always mentioned visiting my fiance and always carried my file of proofs, which included copies of all of our immigration paperwork to date. I was sent to Secondary Immigration twice and in both cases as they were going through my file, they came across the copy of the I-129f petition and various USCIS/Consulate documents and closed the file, telling me I could go on my way. Most of the border officials do know what K-1s are and by showing you do as well you are providing them with good evidence that you are not going to be an immigration risk on that visit and have undertaken the appropriate immigration process. Having a copy of your K-1 application with you is almost always going to work in your favour and not against you.

Edited October 19, 2010 by Kathryn41

[JlovesA 109]

I'm in the middle of the K1 myself and I visit Michigan quite frequently (4-5 times since August) and I never have a problem. On Friday when I drove in, all the customs officer asked me was if I had anything to declare. That was literally the only question. So it really just depends...my mom is not in the middle of immigrating and they grill her every time she crosses. It's really just a crapshoot.

[God fearing 13]

I'm in the middle of the K1 myself and I visit Michigan quite frequently (4-5 times since August) and I never have a problem. On Friday when I drove in, all the customs officer asked me was if I had anything to declare. That was literally the only question. So it really just depends...my mom is not in the middle of immigrating and they grill her every time she crosses. It's really just a crapshoot.

Thanks JLovesA!

[Yellowhead 12]

You need to be honest about your relationship. If you prevaricate by saying 'visiting friends' or 'visiting girlfriend/boyfriend' and they ask for more details you are then faced with the situation of either lying (NOT a good thing to do at all) or admitting the relationship is something 'more'. Then, they will become suspicious because you tried to hide the nature of the relationship and what else might you be hiding, so yes, you could indeed come in for a grilling, and possibly a turn back at the border.

When we were working through our K-1 I always mentioned visiting my fiance and always carried my file of proofs, which included copies of all of our immigration paperwork to date. I was sent to Secondary Immigration twice and in both cases as they were going through my file, they came across the copy of the I-129f petition and various USCIS/Consulate documents and closed the file, telling me I could go on my way. Most of the border officials do know what K-1s are and by showing you do as well you are providing them with good evidence that you are not going to be an immigration risk on that visit and have undertaken the appropriate immigration process. Having a copy of your K-1 application with you is almost always going to work in your favour and not against you.

I will make sure to be totally up front from now on. Should my fiance (petitioner) also carry this information when visiting Canada, and explain the situation, or does it matter? Canada is pretty picky when it comes to grilling you with questions.

Also, would you just include the I-129f copy in your file for POE, or any additional documents as well? I know my entire application was massive with proof and all. Any advice is appreciated