visiting spourse in the US while waiting for the green card

[Keith&Helen 3]

Hi everyone,

I am a Canadian citizen and my fiancé is American. We are planning on getting married very soon.

I've done some research on this topic, from what I've read, basically I need to be prepared to show 'strong ties' to Canada. I am currently working full time and have a rental lease, but I am actually thinking switching to part-time so I can spend more time with him.

I'd really love to go visit him as often as I can, of course he'll come and visit me as well. I am in Toronto and he is in Buffalo, it's very manageable to see each other every weekend. Is it ok to visit every other weekend or once a month? If I successfully cross the border the first couple of times, does it mean that I'll have very little problem later on? I had lived in the US for 4 years and I cross the border very often, does it make them believe me that I WILL return to Canada?

How do the border officers even know how long I am staying? I have never overstayed, I am just curious. I cross the border so often, they don't always scan/swipe my passport.

Thank you in advance for any experience you can share.

Helen

[CaliforniaGuy 2]

On the subject you wrote "while waiting for the green card" does that mean you applied for a K1? First of all don't lie to border agents. Always be honest and bring strong ties that you will be going back. Some people bring letters from their employers. I think you should also. If you applied for K1 than bring a copy of it to show that you are doing it the right way. Going back and forth several times a month is a bit too much if you ask me. Once a month seems more reasonable to me. Always be straightforward with you intentions. Only answer what they ask you. Good luck and don't carry too much luggage. The leaner your luggage looks the better it is. Whenever my wife visited me she never came with more than one luggage and it usually was a small luggage or a carry on. Last time I went to visit my wife in Montreal I was sent to secondary lol I was furious. I had my luggage hand checked. I felt like a criminal. I haven't gone back since.

[CanAmBride 5]

I can only tell you from personal experience. My husband and I did a CR-1, so we got married and then filed our I-130. Our (idiot) lawyer at the time told us that he couldn't cross at all while his petition was in progress, so for the first 4 months while waiting for our NOA2, I only visited him in Canada, he never crossed. Once I found Visa Journey and saw stories about Canadian applicants visiting their American spouses while their petition was in progress, we decided to try it. My husband kept a packet with all of his application paperwork and notices, bank statements, a statement from his employer verifying his job...etc. We started off with him crossing once ever few weeks but only when necessary. By month 6, he was crossing every weekend and staying all weekend, and by month 8, he was crossing some week nights as well. We found that many customs agents didn't even know the rules when it came to the Green Card process, so we ended up educating a lot of them. He got pulled in a few times by rookie agents, and was immediately told by supervisors that he was not doing anything wrong and they let him cross with no problems. I only wish we would have tried crossing sooner! Those first 4 months were torture (he sold his house much quicker than anticipated and was living with his parents, not fun!)

[Keith&Helen 3]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me!