POE...an Odd Chicken and Egg question.

[a and m 2]

My fiancee and I plan to get married (in the US a short while from now), then pursue an IR-1/CR-1 visa. Here is my question:

At the POE, we always tell the truth about our visits (we have had 50+ between us in the last year...mostly weekends).

When the time comes for her to travel to the US for us to marry, if she tells them that at the border (travelling into the US on a tourist visa from Canada) that we will be getting married, won't that immediately be grounds for them to deny her entry? We have no plans for having her stay, we plan to marry, then go through the proper process while she remains in Canada (she does have strong ties to Canada...22yr career at same company, bills, RRSP, etc....currently she is on a month to month basis in her apartment as she completed a year long lease.)

It seems that this scenario might prove to be a difficult one at the border.

Experiences and thoughts?

Thanks!

Edited May 6, 2013 by a and m

[Inky 1,111]

POE question moved from spousal visa forums to regional forums as its directly about POE from Canada not a spousal visa question/process.

[Marilyn. 340]

she needs to bring along proof of her ties to Canada.. and once you file a copy of the NOA would be good to take along too..

[hikergirl 277]

My fiancee and I plan to get married (in the US a short while from now), then pursue an IR-1/CR-1 visa. Here is my question:

At the POE, we always tell the truth about our visits (we have had 50+ between us in the last year...mostly weekends).

When the time comes for her to travel to the US for us to marry, if she tells them that at the border (travelling into the US on a tourist visa from Canada) that we will be getting married, won't that immediately be grounds for them to deny her entry? We have no plans for having her stay, we plan to marry, then go through the proper process while she remains in Canada (she does have strong ties to Canada...22yr career at same company, bills, RRSP, etc....currently she is on a month to month basis in her apartment as she completed a year long lease.)

It seems that this scenario might prove to be a difficult one at the border.

Experiences and thoughts?

Thanks!

As proof of ties when I went down to get married I brought a letter from my employer with how long I had been working for them, that they were aware I was going down to get married and that they expected me back on a certain date. As well I brought school registration for my daughter for Sep here in Canada, my lease agreement and had a return flight booked and the itinerary printed.

I didn’t offer up that I was getting married at my POE. I was only asked if it was business or pleasure (pleasure) and what we were doing for the month (a road trip - as that was the big thing we were doing down there). Had they asked I would have said yes but I will be going back home and I had my proof of ties to offer up. I had been asked on the previous visit if I was getting married and I said no not this trip.

Just get creative with proof of ties. Car registration, lease, letter from Employer (on Company letterhead) with recent pay stub, kennelling services for a pet, whatever she has to show that she’s financially and even emotionally tied to Canada at the time. If she thinks about it, I’m sure she’ll find stuff.

[a and m 2]

Thanks Hikergirl!

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

Besides, I'm sure people travelling into the US to get married is not unusual - so as long as she has the ties (22 years at the same job is fantastic proof of returning) I doubt y'all will have any issues.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Got married in the USA on a Visit...Did I tell the POE officer we were--NO! He never asked! I only answered the questions that he asked. KISS--Keep it simple S........

[B & G 200]

I got married in the US just last month. I had proof of ties to Greece ready with me. Letter from employer, shift roster from work, car registration etc. At Dulles POE, I was asked the purpose of my visit, I said vacation, which it was, and I was waived through. Had the officer asked me for more information I would have, as always, answered truthfully but as others have adviced on this site, don't volenteer any information either unless asked.

[Kimbear 53]

She can tell the truth, just be slightly off sided about it, say her visit is for a wedding, just dont mention its yours lol. technically shes still telling the truth just omitting who exactly is getting married. Or like flames said dont mention it at all if not asked.

[mightymatt40 0]

I married my wife in Georgia a few years ago. The state of Georgia required me to have an I-94 stapled to my passport before they would grant a marriage license. The I-94 allowed me to stay for 3 months (even though we returned to Canada after a few weeks) When i was at the POE they had no clue why i was asking for an I-94. I had a employment letter and they did contact my work while i was in a waiting room to verify that i was due back after a certian amount of time.

[hikergirl 277]

I got married in Georgia (Tybee Island so the probate clerk was in Savannah) this past summer and the only ID required was my Alberta Driver’s Licence. Strange <scratches head>

South Carolina wanted me to obtain a letter from SSA saying I wasn’t entitled to a SSN to get married there.

[Flames9_RN 358]

One soons realizes in many instances--there is no "United" in United States--Each state does it tier own way!