questions about driving in (POE)/round-trip tickets

[nycheryl 0]

Hello!

I have a few questions

1) My fiance would like to drive in from Canada (to bring his car/stuff). Has anyone had experience with POE at the border via car? How long did it take? I'm sure it will depend on the entry point - FWIW, he'd enter Maine.

2) I'd like to fly up to Canada for his "going away" party, then drive home with him. Is there going to be an issue if I have a one-way airline ticket into Canada? I've heard horror stories of friends flying from the US to another country with a one-way ticket... Are we better off to book two one-way tickets from my hometown to his, then his hometown to somewhere in the US?

Thanks in advance!

[HeatDeath 430]

I drove in in July 2009, at Emerson, Manitoba/Pembina, North Dakota. Even though it's "the largest border station between the Great Lakes and the Rockies", they don't see a lot of K-1s, so it took the officer about 90 minutes to process my visa, and he was a little surly, but other than that everything was fine. Your fiance will need his passport with the visa, the do-not-open packet, $7US for an I-94 fee, the compliance letters for his car, the blue book value of his car, and his chest x-ray (they don't actually ask for it, but he'll be old to be prepared to show it). He'll want his Canadian birth certificate as well, but he won't need it for PoE. He should probably call the specific PoE a few days to a week in advance, to let them know he's coming. That way they can ensure someone is working that day that knows the process.

A year earlier, my now-wife flew up to visit me in Winnipeg, then we drove together back to her home in Salt Lake City. We got through the US border easily enough, but not before having to tell the very gruff border officer that we were going to get a fiance visa. His last words to us were a very stern "do it right!". But she had no problems getting a one-way ticket to Canada, or getting past Canadian customs.

The only problem with the plan of driving back down with him is cargo space in the car. When I came down on my K-1, my car was loaded to the ceiling with personal belongings. (Did you know you can fit 16 photocopier paper boxes of books in a 2-door Sunfire, as long as you're alone and aren't fussy about being able to open the glove box? ) Having to fit a passenger in reasonable comfort, and the passenger's baggage, would have cut my cargo capacity by more than half. And since the K-1 is a single-entry visa, he will absolutely positively not be able to go back to Canada for more of his belongings for at least 3-4 months after initial entry.

[Jason & Sheri 5]

Hello!

I have a few questions

1) My fiance would like to drive in from Canada (to bring his car/stuff). Has anyone had experience with POE at the border via car? How long did it take? I'm sure it will depend on the entry point - FWIW, he'd enter Maine.

2) I'd like to fly up to Canada for his "going away" party, then drive home with him. Is there going to be an issue if I have a one-way airline ticket into Canada? I've heard horror stories of friends flying from the US to another country with a one-way ticket... Are we better off to book two one-way tickets from my hometown to his, then his hometown to somewhere in the US?

Thanks in advance!

I drove down Feb 2011, went thru North Portal/Portal North Dakota. I had no problems, my sister was driving my car and I was driving the Uhaul. It took maybe 20-25 minutes to get it all done, he had to refer to a book and another guy for help plus it was busy that day otherwise it would've been quicker. They didn't even open the Uhaul, I had a spreadsheet with what I was bringing with, he looked it over and we were on our way.

[Krikit 1,165]

There are tons of us who drove across with our fiance(e)s. If you're worried about Canada Customs you can bring a copy of his visa to show you're driving back. You shouldn't have any problems, though. Here are the reviews for the POE's: Link

[Flames9_RN 358]

Like the others said, too easy!! I crossed in Maine with my Uhaul. Was very quick and painless--even though they had no clue onhow to process the CR-1 visa, but they got the book out, made a few phone call and I was soon on myway! Maybe took 30-45 min at most--mainly because they had no idea on how to process it. I crossed in Dec around 7pm and I was the only person there.

sequence: drive up say ur there to "activate" (sorry kriit,lol) ur visa. They will tell ya to park and go inside. Went to the customs guy, gave him my inventory list--he barely even looked at it (never did look inside my uhaul), then went to the immigration people who did the visa paperwork, They asked a few basic questions. We laughed, it was a very unstressful time. Much of it just standing around waiting.

[HeatDeath 430]

Oh, you'll also need an itemized list of your personal belongings (very basic, i.e. "Box 1: Books, Box 2: Kitchen appliances, Box 3: More Books, Bag 1: Clothes, etc).

FYI: when I told the border officer in the booth at Pembina that I wanted to "activate" my visa they had no clue whatsoever what I meant. I don't think the officer had ever heard the word "activate" used in that context before.

It might be better just to say "I would like to enter the US with this [fiance|spousal] visa", while you show them the visa.

[Krikit 1,165]

Or just say "I am entering on a K-1 visa." The thing about the word "activate" is that it's being used in the wrong context. Once the visa is issued it's active. When it's used at the POE the officer endorses it. Which cancels it for future use. So cancelling the visa effectively deactivates it. lol

[Gypsyangel 11]

If you are importing a car, it is a separate process than activating your visa. At the Peace Bridge they sent me to a different building to do it. Just remember to ask about it because it's not likely that they will prompt you to remember. I've seen a few people go through and realize later that they didn't import their car and they needed to head back to a border to do so. It took an additional 20 minutes to do this. No one knew what they were doing, but they found a binder that told them what to do.

Remember you also need a compliance letter for your car.

You hold onto the papers they give you and when you are registering your car in your destination state, they ask for them.

[Krikit 1,165]

If you are importing a car, it is a separate process than activating your visa.

I've seen a few people go through and realize later that they didn't import their car and they needed to head back to a border to do so.

No need to return to a border. It can be done at your closest POE: Link

Edited July 5, 2011 by Krikit

[nycheryl 0]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the advice As long as I don't have to buy multiple airline tickets to get back into the States to appease the government, that'd be nice I looked up some information about importing the car on this board, so he's going to call/email Chevy about that.

Thanks also for the note about not being able to go back to Canada for 3-4 months. I'm assuming once he gets his AOS (after we get married), this should be no big deal? We probably won't go up there again for 6-8 months, but I wanted to check anyway.

This site is SO helpful. I'd be lost without your help!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the advice As long as I don't have to buy multiple airline tickets to get back into the States to appease the government, that'd be nice I looked up some information about importing the car on this board, so he's going to call/email Chevy about that.

Thanks also for the note about not being able to go back to Canada for 3-4 months. I'm assuming once he gets his AOS (after we get married), this should be no big deal? We probably won't go up there again for 6-8 months, but I wanted to check anyway.

This site is SO helpful. I'd be lost without your help!

Right - so part of your AOS is AP (Advanced parole - nice name ) he will likely have this before the green card arrives so he will be able to travel once he receives that. Homesickness and all that - don't be surprised if he 'NEEDS' to have a visit home just to keep everyone sane

My husband also flew up and then drove the Uhaul back to Virginia, He had a copy of my VISA, but wasn't asked about I don't think.

[nycheryl 0]

Right - so part of your AOS is AP (Advanced parole - nice name ) he will likely have this before the green card arrives so he will be able to travel once he receives that. Homesickness and all that - don't be surprised if he 'NEEDS' to have a visit home just to keep everyone sane

My husband also flew up and then drove the Uhaul back to Virginia, He had a copy of my VISA, but wasn't asked about I don't think.

Gotcha - that's a good point. We might have to arrange a trip up to visit shortly after we get all that done... hopefully it's during the summer when the beaches by him are open

This is good information - I was dreading buying a plane ticket from NB to Maine for $600 (plus it'd take me down to New Jersey, then back up to Maine - stupid!).

Edited July 5, 2011 by nycheryl

[nycheryl 0]

The only problem with the plan of driving back down with him is cargo space in the car. When I came down on my K-1, my car was loaded to the ceiling with personal belongings. (Did you know you can fit 16 photocopier paper boxes of books in a 2-door Sunfire, as long as you're alone and aren't fussy about being able to open the glove box? ) Having to fit a passenger in reasonable comfort, and the passenger's baggage, would have cut my cargo capacity by more than half. And since the K-1 is a single-entry visa, he will absolutely positively not be able to go back to Canada for more of his belongings for at least 3-4 months after initial entry.

He has a 2-door Cavalier, so I have a feeling we'll be in the same boat Every time he comes to visit, I tell him to bring 1-2 books so we don't have to move them in the car! LOL!

Edited July 5, 2011 by nycheryl