Crossing border to the US to visit bf

[Steve & Rema 4]

I am going to visit my bf in the U.S this Sunday for 5 months. The longest I have spent with him is 3 days. We do plan to marry, however have not yet filed for the K-1, therefore I will call him my bf at the border. I am going by plane from Canada, and have a return ticket as well. I know it is possible that they will require proof of my ties to Canada. I currently live with my parents, so I have no lease or any bills in my name. I worked as a full time teacher last year for a 1 year contract, and this year am working at the same school as a supply teacher. These are some things I have collected to use as proof of ties. Is this enough?

- Some pay stubs from last year

- Pay stubs from this past September, and from early this october

- Record of employment from last year

- My phone bill history and contract date (it ends 2013)

- Visa payments? (I have my visa bills, however not sure how useful this is?)

- Info showing my students loans and that I am paying them every month (not sure if this is useful as well?)

- I purchased travel insurance for the duration of my stay (it expires the day I fly back to Canada), so I will be showing that

I don't have too many other ties besides that.. would this be good enough? Should I show my tax papers from last year?

Just to add, I did not really think of this possibility until today (I know it's a bit last minute!). I am phoning my employee tomorrow to see if he can write me a letter, however if I don't have that letter, are the pay stubs good enough?

Also I know people say to pack light, but I have two suitcases, wouldn't it be weird to travel for 5 months with only one suitcase packed? Is two suitcases too much, would they be suspicious?

Edited October 29, 2011 by Rema

[at long last 58]

I am going to visit my bf in the U.S this Sunday for 5 months. The longest I have spent with him is 3 days. We do plan to marry, however have not yet filed for the K-1, therefore I will call him my bf at the border. I am going by plane from Canada, and have a return ticket as well. I know it is possible that they will require proof of my ties to Canada. I currently live with my parents, so I have no lease or any bills in my name. I worked as a full time teacher last year for a 1 year contract, and this year am working at the same school as a supply teacher. These are some things I have collected to use as proof of ties. Is this enough?

- Some pay stubs from last year

- Pay stubs from this past September, and from early this october

- Record of employment from last year

- My phone bill history and contract date (it ends 2013)

- Visa payments? (I have my visa bills, however not sure how useful this is?)

- Info showing my students loans and that I am paying them every month (not sure if this is useful as well?)

- I purchased travel insurance for the duration of my stay (it expires the day I fly back to Canada), so I will be showing that

I don't have too many other ties besides that.. would this be good enough? Should I show my tax papers from last year?

Just to add, I did not really think of this possibility until today (I know it's a bit last minute!). I am phoning my employee tomorrow to see if he can write me a letter, however if I don't have that letter, are the pay stubs good enough?

Also I know people say to pack light, but I have two suitcases, wouldn't it be weird to travel for 5 months with only one suitcase packed? Is two suitcases too much, would they be suspicious?

They will ask you how you can afford to go away for that long without working. If you aren't his fiancee then don't mention it. You are going to stay with your BF and even that makes them raise their eyebrows. I know, I am Canadian and traveled back and forth many times to visit my then boyfriend. It did make them ask more questions. If they ask if you are going to marry you just reply you have no idea on that as you need to get to know each other better, hence the extended trip there, but make sure you have a letter from your employer stating the day you are to return back to work. You still may get turned back.

Heck for 5 months I would need a suitcase just for my shoes....lol

good luck and enjoy the stay with your BF

Terri

[Steve & Rema 4]

Thanks! I forgot to mention I will be taking a bank statement to show how much money I have, and that I can support myself.

Is it wise to say BF? I don't want to lie about who I'm visiting, but I'm really nervous i might get declined since we have been planning this for a while. Not to mention he was declined from entering Canada, so we could be completely barred from seeing each other..

With all of the documents I have, is it likely I would be turned away?

Edited October 29, 2011 by Rema

[Melissa&Ryan 1]

earlier this year i went to visit my then bf (im canadian and he's american) i wanted to stay there a few weeks and the customs lady asked me what i was going to do there and i said, visiting my boyfriend, and she asked when i was coming back, i said a few weeks. she threw me in immigration where i waited there for 2 hours to talk to another lady, she then asked me if i was currently working (which i wasnt since a few days before i left) and asked me if i had a house or appt (which i had just moved out of and had all my stuff at my parents for the time being) and asked me how i was affording to go to the USA, which i said i had saved up for and she asked me if i was returning to work and i said yes, just didnt know which date it was going to be ....

just so you know, i have never ever ever been thrown in immigration in all the times i was flying back and forth to visit my boyfriend, so i was way way way nervous... it ended up that the lady said she didnt think i had enough proof that i was returning and printed up a paper with a list of about 20 things i needed to bring with me next time so i could travel and then escorted me out of the air port... i was in total shock and actually started crying because i was about 11 hours from home... (had to fly to toronto, so i could do the border check to fly to US) and i knew absolutly no one there, and had no clue what to do... but it all worked out in the end... i stayed with him for 86 days after that, and ended up engaged so, all i can say is... BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU LEAVE!! it really sucks being stuck at the airport not knowing what to do .....

[dukeandduchess 141]

Be honest. If you're going to see your boyfriend you should say so.

You could try getting a letter from your parents stating that you live with them and will be returning on XXX date. Bank statement to show you can pay for yourself while you're there is a good idea.

Yes, I think they will be pretty suspicious of you going for such a long time -- How do you take 5 months off work without losing your job? etc.

Yes, they could refuse your entry to the US.

** Not trying to sound scary but it is a possibility. I was once pulled into immigration for "questioning" and they ended up letting me go in, but attached a form (not sure what its called) that said I needed to leave by a certain date or I would be banned from entering the US for 10 years... YIKES.

Edited October 29, 2011 by dukeandduchess

[Melissa&Ryan 1]

yeah, its a horrible feeling going into immigration.. and it also depends if you get someone thats having a bad day at work or not lol... mine was having a horrible day cause she wasnt very nice, BUT she was just doing her job.... the best proof you can take that i know of is a letter from your employer stating that you will be returning on xx date or a letter from your landlord stating that this month is paid or that month is paid or something similar... bring as much stuff as you can, that's my suggestion...

the next time right after that, when i got to customs, the guy in the booth i went too was very happy, greeted me with a smile, said "going on vacation?" and i said yeah.. he said "enjoy the sunshine ma'am" and i said thank you and i got threw right away...

you might get threw without a hitch, but just bring anything you can, JUST IN CASE... i know that if i do go see my fiance while im waiting on my Visa, i am bringing a box full of proof that im coming back lol... thats not an experience that i want to go threw again anytime soon

[dukeandduchess 141]

I can't blame them for pulling me aside. It was before I knew much about immigration and visas. I had no job and no return ticket. I think he actually did a good job in recognizing that I was "risky". They're just doing their job but boy, did I ever learn a lesson!

Edited October 29, 2011 by dukeandduchess

[Melissa&Ryan 1]

yeah, thats the exact reaction i had to... didnt even know they could do that... but since then ive done so much research that i wont let that happen again. It was a huge wake up call for me...

i dont remember ever being that scared, alone in the airport, no one i know anywhere near the city for miles and miles, no idea what to do. You live and learn as you go i guess. But like i said, it worked out in the end, and it was a lesson i will never forget.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

When I was dating my husband I went to Winnipeg the day after Christmas. I was crossing at Pembina, ND by car. It was the 'big' trip to meet my husband's parents and family.

I was pulled out of line for secondary inspection. Oh what fun that was. I was driving my minivan that was in my mother's name because she did the financing, the insurance was in my name, the van had WV tags and I had a TN driver's license. (this is before WHTI, you could cross with just a DL)

While they pulled apart my van I was taken into a little room and asked a TON of questions. Where do you work? How long have you worked there? How long have you known your boyfriend? When was the last time you were in Canada? Where are you going? Why are you going there? on and on. I had been driving literally for 21 hours (Hey, I was motivated)tired and probably sounded like I was drunk or high lol. The officer called my husband, his parents, my parents, and my boss.

He then comes back and asks if I've ever been convicted of any crimes and I said 'no'. He writes more stuff down and leaves the room.

He then comes back, hands me my Driver's license. And says 'I thought you said you had never been arrested' 'Sir, you didn't ask that, you asked if I'd ever been convicted' 'You were arrested in 1995, what was that for' It was my 18th birthday and I was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol. I didn't know I had to tell him that, and my record was expunged. It didn't even show up on a back ground check for my job! At that point it had been 14 years! After I gave him an explanation he kind of snickered and said 'that sucks' He was amused I was arrested for that at 18, when legal drinking age is 18 in Manitoba.

By this time I was in tears thinking I wouldn't get in to Canada and I drove all that way and took time off work, left my kids with the ex for nothing.

After another 10 or 15 min the officer comes back to get me, said they were done searching my van and I could go, but I HAD to leave Manitoba on such and such date.

After that I got a NEXUS card, and haven't gone through that ever again.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thanks! I forgot to mention I will be taking a bank statement to show how much money I have, and that I can support myself.

Is it wise to say BF? I don't want to lie about who I'm visiting, but I'm really nervous i might get declined since we have been planning this for a while. Not to mention he was declined from entering Canada, so we could be completely barred from seeing each other..

With all of the documents I have, is it likely I would be turned away?

I only answered what they asked me!! Normally they asked for pleasure or business, I simply responded Pleasure. Then they would ask Family or friends and when we were dating I would say friend and that I'm returning on such a date. When we were married, then I would say my wife returning on such a date. Just don't babble on. Be polite, look them in their eyes when speaking. Best of luck

[SapphireDreams 71]

Two suitcases in my opinion is a red flag and will cause more harm than its worth. When I moved here on a K1, I only brought 3 suitcases and I was moving! Have someone mail you a box of extra stuff if need be, but I would pack as light as possible.

A letter from your employer would be best, but even as a temporary employee/supply teacher that doesn't tell me anything either. You need to show reasons for coming back to Canada and out of the list of everything you've shown, you're not convincing me in any way that you are coming back or need to come back for any reason.

The travel insurance is good though, and your return ticket.

This is one of those things where you could get in no problem, or you could have some trouble. It's really a toss up.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I would not volunteer I was staying for 5 months, unless they asked!! My visits were for 3 or 4 days and up to a few weeks in duration. It all depends on the POE officer, and if things start to not look so favorable, I'd mention that you know about the legal way of doing things, K1, and that is what you will do,

[Steve & Rema 4]

I'm a little confused, I get responses saying to tell the truth about visiting my bf, and responses saying to tell them I'm visiting a friend? Which would be more wise?

I will try to fit my things in one suitcase, and have my parents send me the rest in the mail. If they ask for how long, I will have to say 5 months, what else could I say anyway, it's right there on my return ticket.

Also, I will be flying to Toronto and then to Cincinnati, will I have to go through questioning in Toronto, or just Cincinnati?

To update my list a bit, this is what I have as proof of return:

- Letter from employee stating I will be returning to work after my return to Canada (I'm going to be replacing a full time teacher who is going on maternity leave, did not mention that earlier sorry)

- Letter from my bf stating how long I will be staying with him and his family, and when I will be returning

- Letter from my parents stating that I am living with them, and will be returning to live with them on my return date

- Bank statement + Cash, showing how much money I have, that I can support myself for the entire 5 months (which I easily can)

- Pay stubs from last year and this year, along with my record of employment from last year

- My cell phone bill payment history and contract end date (to show that I have a contract tie in Canada)

- A return ticket

- Travel insurance for the duration of my stay, which expires on my return date

I am so incredibly nervous and have not been able to relax, I understand it's possible to be declined I'm just really really not wanting that to happen. Is my updated list, a better representation that I will be returning?

Will bringing my tax papers help? Will showing my ties to student loans help? Or should I skip those?

Thanks for all the replies by the way!!

Oh and I don't have a lease! I don't own a house or rent an apartment, I live at home with my parents! So I Can show any proof of a house back in Canada.

Edited October 29, 2011 by Rema

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm a little confused, I get responses saying to tell the truth about visiting my bf, and responses saying to tell them I'm visiting a friend? Which would be more wise?

I will try to fit my things in one suitcase, and have my parents send me the rest in the mail. If they ask for how long, I will have to say 5 months, what else could I say anyway, it's right there on my return ticket.

Also, I will be flying to Toronto and then to Cincinnati, will I have to go through questioning in Toronto, or just Cincinnati?

To update my list a bit, this is what I have as proof of return:

- Letter from employee stating I will be returning to work after my return to Canada (I'm going to be replacing a full time teacher who is going on maternity leave, did not mention that earlier sorry)

- Letter from my bf stating how long I will be staying with him and his family, and when I will be returning

- Letter from my parents stating that I am living with them, and will be returning to live with them on my return date

- Bank statement + Cash, showing how much money I have, that I can support myself for the entire 5 months (which I easily can)

- Pay stubs from last year and this year, along with my record of employment from last year

- My cell phone bill payment history and contract end date (to show that I have a contract tie in Canada)

- A return ticket

- Travel insurance for the duration of my stay, which expires on my return date

I am so incredibly nervous and have not been able to relax, I understand it's possible to be declined I'm just really really not wanting that to happen. Is my updated list, a better representation that I will be returning?

Will bringing my tax papers help? Will showing my ties to student loans help? Or should I skip those?

Thanks for all the replies by the way!!

Oh and I don't have a lease! I don't own a house or rent an apartment, I live at home with my parents! So I Can show any proof of a house back in Canada.

I'm just saying answer what they ask! If they saw family or friend, i would say family and IF they ask you to elaborate, say BF. I always kept my replies short and to the point, never babbling on. I never volunteered more than I was asked, but ready to provide evidence if they asked for it. Everyone handles things differently. Just being prepared, your ahead of the game already. Best of luck

[Steve & Rema 4]

Well I can say family, and if they ask to elaborate, I say bf? Would they not take that as lying to them with my first answer?

Never mind I see what you mean, do they usually ask up front if I am visiting family or friends? Or do they make me say who I am visiting?

Is this a good method: What is your purpose for travel? "Leisure", who will you be staying with "Family"?

Edited October 29, 2011 by Rema