Moving Beforehand

[jjmelzer 0]

Hey All,

We just got our K-1 Visa approved last Friday at the Montreal Consulate and now have it in hand. My fiance is here with me in Canada right now for the holidays, and will be going back to the U.S. while I pack and get ready to move. My question is can she take some of my stuff across the border with her in her car before I go through the POE. Since I can only go through once without having to file more paper work and wait to return to Canada, we thought it might be easier if she can take some stuff over early. If so, what would the procedure be?

Thanks!

James

[nickbits 43]

I don't know about beforehand, but you can go back for additional stuff after their POE. I went back for the rest of my financee's stuff and it was no issue at all. I didn't even need to fill out the "declaration of unaccompanied articles" 3299 form. Actually I had it filled out but they never asked for it.

Edited December 23, 2010 by nickbits

[YuAndDan 153]

Moving to Canada forum..

[Barbara J 115]

Hey All,

We just got our K-1 Visa approved last Friday at the Montreal Consulate and now have it in hand. My fiance is here with me in Canada right now for the holidays, and will be going back to the U.S. while I pack and get ready to move. My question is can she take some of my stuff across the border with her in her car before I go through the POE. Since I can only go through once without having to file more paper work and wait to return to Canada, we thought it might be easier if she can take some stuff over early. If so, what would the procedure be?

Thanks!

James

Not sure what your procedure is here from Canada but I don't see that as a problem, what is in her car is her business yes? Unless it is forbidden contraband. I posted all my things from Australia in boxes and all arrived safely so when I flew in was just me and my clothes lol

[Canadiandggal 49]

Hey All,

We just got our K-1 Visa approved last Friday at the Montreal Consulate and now have it in hand. My fiance is here with me in Canada right now for the holidays, and will be going back to the U.S. while I pack and get ready to move. My question is can she take some of my stuff across the border with her in her car before I go through the POE. Since I can only go through once without having to file more paper work and wait to return to Canada, we thought it might be easier if she can take some stuff over early. If so, what would the procedure be?

Thanks!

James

Really I am unsure as It is your personal effects but I would think she would be able to bring a bunch with her. I would write a list of everything just in case she gets pulled into secondary and PHOTOCOPY your Visa so IF they ask she can show them that you have a visa but have not used it yet.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Since the k1 is a 1 time use, obviously the OP can NOT cross back to Canada until he/she has AP or the greencard. Can she send some stuff ahead with her fiance, probably, but going by the rules, no. I believe when a K1 crosses and uses a moving company, one has to cross, THEN fax them a copy of the proof that they have entered the USA, then the moving company uses the form 3299--unaccompanied goods. 1 has like up to 10 yrs to bring their stuff across as well. Hard to say if the POE people would have any hassles, probably not if it was clothes, other small items, probably a different story if it was electronics.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Technically, personal belongings are not supposed to enter the country before the person uses their visa and then the goods can follow. As Flames9_RN says, if your fiancee wishes to bring some of your personal belongings over, it will be up to the border guards whether or not they will allow her to do so. I have heard stories of US citizens showing up at the border with belongings of an immigrating spouse who has not yet used the visa/received the visa being denied entry with the belongings and they have had to rush around and try and find a storage location near the border to drop off the belongings, then go back and pick them up later. I have also heard of others being allowed in with personal belongings of someone else who was immigrating. I think a lot will depend on what the items are how 'personal' they are (eg furniture vs clothing, etc.).

[jjmelzer 0]

Thanks for the info, everyone. We're just talking a few boxes of books and movies here, so I'm not sure what we will do. If worse comes to worse and we'll just move everything at once.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

My husband brought 1 (yes only 1) suitcase of mine across the US border before our interview. He got pulled into secondary, the bag searched and he was given a VERY STERN warning that he is 'lucky' the suitcase is being admitted as belongings of the immigrant should not preceed the immigrant itself

It is up to the CBP. If you want to avoid any possible denial of entry of your belongings then wait until the visa is in hand. which I know is a pain but if we were to do it again, I'd wait for sure simply to avoid the hassle

Good luck

[Flames9_RN 358]

See the pattern(visiting, bags, etc)-----it all depends on the POE OFFICER!! lol merry xmas

[Udella&Wiz 325]

My now husband (the USC) took some of my personal effects back with him each time over the last 6 months. Not much - but it somehow made me feel like we were making progress! He was never asked any questions that I remember.

If you're eventually driving down with a truck or your car shortly - you're honestly not gaining much by having her take things ahead of time but I understand the need to feel like things are moving along