Frequent Visiting

[hikergirl 277]

I'm sort of facing a similar challenge. Hope it's okay if I post in here, as I'm more just asking a question than helping answer the OP.

I hope to visit my fiance at least once every few months, if we can afford it, but I have to fly each time so I know that is a bit trickier than driving through the border. I don't have really any proof of ties to Canada as all I have is a part-time job right now at McDonald's. No rent or anything because I stay for free with my mother while I help her out because she is ill. I know that is not very strong proof. Is the K1 paperwork enough to bring as proof on it's own, provided I am honest and open? Would this NEXUS card be helpful for me, as well?

I could understand if I was refused, but would feel awful as my fiance pays for the tickets and it costs quite a lot each time to go from Toronto to Tucson, AZ.

I think NEXUS cards are always helpful. Especially when flying. If you get one, you will know what I’m talking about.

I’ve never been asked for my proof of ties. I just carry them based on the advice here.

Your filing for K-1 shows that you are aware of the proper method of being with your fiancé - carry your NOA1 or whatever you have. Have a letter from your mum saying that you are helping her out while she is ill and the date of your return flight. Have a pay stub from McDonald’s (at least you HAVE a job!).

With not so many ties, I think return flight arrangements in hand would be very important to have.

Good luck!

[IntoTheLight 5]

I think NEXUS cards are always helpful. Especially when flying. If you get one, you will know what I’m talking about.

I’ve never been asked for my proof of ties. I just carry them based on the advice here.

Your filing for K-1 shows that you are aware of the proper method of being with your fiancé - carry your NOA1 or whatever you have. Have a letter from your mum saying that you are helping her out while she is ill and the date of your return flight. Have a pay stub from McDonald’s (at least you HAVE a job!).

With not so many ties, I think return flight arrangements in hand would be very important to have.

Good luck!

Thanks! I doubt my mom would be willing to write a letter for me like that, but the rest I could manage. It makes me feel better knowing that they don't even always ask for stuff like that. What do you say when they ask for the purpose of your trip? The last two times I said visiting friends (which is like a secondary purpose, as I have met people here), because I was nervous about opening up possible suspicion if I said fiance/boyfriend.

I'll definitely look into getting the NEXUS card. Possibly for my fiance as well, as we may still end up traveling back and forth for family visits after, anyway. So it would benefit him beyond my moving there.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Thanks! I doubt my mom would be willing to write a letter for me like that, but the rest I could manage. It makes me feel better knowing that they don't even always ask for stuff like that. What do you say when they ask for the purpose of your trip? The last two times I said visiting friends (which is like a secondary purpose, as I have met people here), because I was nervous about opening up possible suspicion if I said fiance/boyfriend.

I'll definitely look into getting the NEXUS card. Possibly for my fiance as well, as we may still end up traveling back and forth for family visits after, anyway. So it would benefit him beyond my moving there.

You should always tell the truth to POE officers. If you're visiting your boyfriend, you should tell them that and carry your K-1 paperwork with you, that shows you are doing things the right way. Return trip tickets are always a must and the more ties you can show to Canada the better.

[moemac59 192]

I'm sort of facing a similar challenge. Hope it's okay if I post in here, as I'm more just asking a question than helping answer the OP.

I hope to visit my fiance at least once every few months, if we can afford it, but I have to fly each time so I know that is a bit trickier than driving through the border. I don't have really any proof of ties to Canada as all I have is a part-time job right now at McDonald's. No rent or anything because I stay for free with my mother while I help her out because she is ill. I know that is not very strong proof. Is the K1 paperwork enough to bring as proof on it's own, provided I am honest and open? Would this NEXUS card be helpful for me, as well?

I could understand if I was refused, but would feel awful as my fiance pays for the tickets and it costs quite a lot each time to go from Toronto to Tucson, AZ.

Hey IntoTheLight, you should try to fly out of Buffalo or Rochester as the price of flights are much cheaper. I went to go visit a girlfriend of mine who moved to PHX and always manage to find flights between $250 - $375. Southwest is pretty cheap and to park at the airport is cheap as well unlike YYZ.

Definately invest in the Nexus card and again if you fly out of NY state, you can use the Whirlpool Bridge which is Nexus access only via car.

Make sure that you always have a return date with you plus return ticket and always leave the US when you say you are going to be leaving.

You might want to take copies of any recent bank or credit card statements as well as any bills you might have like a cell phone bill. I always carried this info as well as my NOA1 and never got any sort of hassle. I also always took a letter from my employer stating the dates that I would be due back at work plus my employers contact info just in case.

[IntoTheLight 5]

You should always tell the truth to POE officers. If you're visiting your boyfriend, you should tell them that and carry your K-1 paperwork with you, that shows you are doing things the right way. Return trip tickets are always a must and the more ties you can show to Canada the better.

Yeah, I felt bad about not being totally upfront. But we hadn't filed paperwork yet and I didn't want to get stuck answering questions when i didn't have much to prove that I was coming back. :\ My intention was to work on the paperwork while there. From now on, I'll definitely tell them the truth.

Hey IntoTheLight, you should try to fly out of Buffalo or Rochester as the price of flights are much cheaper. I went to go visit a girlfriend of mine who moved to PHX and always manage to find flights between $250 - $375. Southwest is pretty cheap and to park at the airport is cheap as well unlike YYZ.

Definately invest in the Nexus card and again if you fly out of NY state, you can use the Whirlpool Bridge which is Nexus access only via car.

Make sure that you always have a return date with you plus return ticket and always leave the US when you say you are going to be leaving.

You might want to take copies of any recent bank or credit card statements as well as any bills you might have like a cell phone bill. I always carried this info as well as my NOA1 and never got any sort of hassle. I also always took a letter from my employer stating the dates that I would be due back at work plus my employers contact info just in case.

Flying out of Buffalo or Rochester sounds like a great plan, but sadly I don't drive, so it would still require bussing or something there.

Thanks for the tips about the bank and credit card statements and such. It's certainly something. I'm probably just over-worrying. lol

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Looking honest and carrying K1 paperwork might be enough, but it might not be. It's a priviledge to be able to enter the US, not a right so you need to be prepared to provide proof that you're not planning on staying longer than you say you are. The Nexus card itself doesn't provide proof you're reliable individual, just that you're probably a frequent traveller.

I was never pulled into secondary once but I did carry a letter from my employer for most trips indicating they knew I would be vacationing in the US from X ot X, returning to work on X. Perhaps you can get that? I had my intinerary printed so they could see my return flight (tickets being mostly virtual these days)

You may never be asked anything more than the usual questions, but like previous posters have said, you could be pulled into secondary and in some cases given a hard time everytime after that (or not). They can refuse you outright or shorten your trip at their discretion (folks here can attest to that) and you'll have to return earlier then you expected. They do not care if you have to change a ticket, miss your flight or whatever, not their problem.

You want to have copies of everything you possibly can ready if needed so the border guard understands you're only visiting and are going about immigration the proper way.

Why leave it to chance, right? Above all be honest, answer questions accurately and never bend the truth.

I'm sort of facing a similar challenge. Hope it's okay if I post in here, as I'm more just asking a question than helping answer the OP.

I hope to visit my fiance at least once every few months, if we can afford it, but I have to fly each time so I know that is a bit trickier than driving through the border. I don't have really any proof of ties to Canada as all I have is a part-time job right now at McDonald's. No rent or anything because I stay for free with my mother while I help her out because she is ill. I know that is not very strong proof. Is the K1 paperwork enough to bring as proof on it's own, provided I am honest and open? Would this NEXUS card be helpful for me, as well?

I could understand if I was refused, but would feel awful as my fiance pays for the tickets and it costs quite a lot each time to go from Toronto to Tucson, AZ.