Examples of strong ties for visit, with pending CR-1

[squirrelisan 23]

Hello,

I am currently pending a CR-1 application (still NOA1). My wife is planning on visiting the US in the near future, and looking for advice. I see the documentation people normally bring to show strong ties are, children back home, letter of employment, lease on house/apt, lease on car or other big ticket item....

Now my wife will have none of these. She works mostly contract based employment which will end at the time of the visit, staying at families place, no major debts/leases/liens on anything. The only thing I can think of that might be useful is a return ticket back. Anybody suggest anything else for documentation?

Also, she might be taking a certification exam in the US during the trip that is only offered a number of times a year, and only given in the US. Will this count against her when the customs officer looks at this?

In case she gets denied at port of entry, what possible back-up plans do people have? Like go to another country? She is coming in by plane, so it's not like she just turn the car around at the border.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I'll answer your last question first. If she is denied entrance, she will be detained at the airport and sent on the next flight home. I doubt they will send her to another, 3rd country. I've been denied entry so I know that's how it goes.

I used lots of things to show ties. She must live somewhere right? with parents or friends? Have them write a letter stating an expected return date. I used a wedding invite once, a doctor's apointment card another time. Does she have a car note? A cell phone bill?

Good luck

[squirrelisan 23]

I'll answer your last question first. If she is denied entrance, she will be detained at the airport and sent on the next flight home. I doubt they will send her to another, 3rd country. I've been denied entry so I know that's how it goes.

I used lots of things to show ties. She must live somewhere right? with parents or friends? Have them write a letter stating an expected return date. I used a wedding invite once, a doctor's apointment card another time. Does she have a car note? A cell phone bill?

Good luck

I see...wasn't even thinking about things like that. I guess there is no other option, but having a cell phone bill, or a doctor appt as the reason why you wouldn't "overstay"...sounds pretty weak. Did that really work for you?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Yes it is weak, but as you said she doesn't have the major stuff like a job, a lease/mortgage so she'll need lots of the weaker stuff.

Actually yes, the doctor's apt. card worked. It showed that I was planning on returning to Canada.

Good luck, keep us posted

[pushbrk 12,898]

I see...wasn't even thinking about things like that. I guess there is no other option, but having a cell phone bill, or a doctor appt as the reason why you wouldn't "overstay"...sounds pretty weak. Did that really work for you?

A copy of the receipt notice for filing the I-130 would help, as it shows she's involved in the proper immigration process. CBP will not actually know she has a pending immigration case unless the ask a question the answer to which would give them that information. My advise is to give a generic but truthful answer to the question about the purpose of her visit. An example will be "take a certification test and vacation".

If her USC husband comes up on the conversation, something like, "Yes, my husband is a US Citizen and we are following the spouse visa process. I'm visiting for vacation and to take xyz certification test." Use "evidence" only if and when asked for it.

[bsd058 296]

I agree with the above, but I think the certification exam is not necessarily a reason your spouse is visiting. I think it's only extra. From what I understand, the certification exam might or might not be taken at this point, so it's not really the purpose of the visit which CBP will ask for. If it comes up she can mention it, but really they are looking for the main purpose of the visit. They might get confused and think she might be trying to enter to study or something. I would just tell them if they ask for that information. I understand most certification exams are self-study, but CBP might not realize that.

Anyways, she must have some other sort of tie to her home country. A plane ticket is good evidence she is planning to return. Maybe she could show proof of an upcoming contract that she will be under with another business when she returns? Another possibility is that she could possibly show proof that she owns a vehicle back home. That shows somewhat of a financial committment to pay for insurance and to have such an asset in another country. If she has her 1st NOA, she should bring this with her. I was advised this by CBP when I called to see what documentation I should bring to prove I'm staying in Canada when my wife moves back down there with a U-haul before my immigration goes through. I'm going with her next week to help her get set up, and then am coming back to wait out the immigration process.

You should call CBP (or rather she should) at the port of entry and ask them what types of proof she will need when crossing the border. As long as she brings the requested documentation, she should be okay.

[rade2rising 205]

I'll answer your last question first. If she is denied entrance, she will be detained at the airport and sent on the next flight home. I doubt they will send her to another, 3rd country. I've been denied entry so I know that's how it goes.

I used lots of things to show ties. She must live somewhere right? with parents or friends? Have them write a letter stating an expected return date. I used a wedding invite once, a doctor's apointment card another time. Does she have a car note? A cell phone bill?

Good luck

hey was that really scary? being denied entry? what if the next flight is not till next day? you have to wait at airport the whole time?

[pushbrk 12,898]

hey was that really scary? being denied entry? what if the next flight is not till next day? you have to wait at airport the whole time?

Yes. To leave the airport, one must enter the USA. If entry is denied, you don't enter. You don't even leave the secure area reserved for those who have not yet been granted entry UNTIL you are escorted to your flight.

[squirrelisan 23]

Thanks all for your input. I'll have her wear comfortable shoes, and maybe bring one of those portable chairs in case she gets denied entry...

[pushbrk 12,898]

Thanks all for your input. I'll have her wear comfortable shoes, and maybe bring one of those portable chairs in case she gets denied entry...

There will be chairs available.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Thanks all for your input. I'll have her wear comfortable shoes, and maybe bring one of those portable chairs in case she gets denied entry...

Um....they'll have chairs for her. Don't worry