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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

I know this has been asked already, but every situation is different.

I am Canadian and marrying my American fiance this August. Am I able to visit him while my visa is being processed?
I'll always have a return ticket, and as much proof as I can, that I have responsibilities in Canada.

They always ask for my reason to travel and telling them I'm visiting my husband will raise questions.

I've heard many different stories of people being banned for years because they tried to enter during the process. I've heard people have had to start over because of that same reason.

Does anyone have any definite answers or does it all depend on the POE. so every time its a risk?

Edited by Laura_S
Posted

***moved to canada forum as question is regionally specific *OP doesn't need a visa and is from Canada* from IR1/CR1 process and procedures ***

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Hi! I have travelled to see my guy while in the process. I left out of Pearson Airport. I brought proof of ties to Canada (my mortgage statement, current utility bills, a letter from my employer as to my necessity to return, my whole file about K1) I have visited the states to see him numerous times over the past year but was very conscious to be "out of the country" more than in. When I was asked by the POE the purpose of my visit...I said "I am going to visit my fiance" he asked "when were you last in the US?" I said " 3 months ago". He said "how long are you staying?" I said "17 days". He stamped my passport and said "bye". I knew exactly how many days I had spent in the US during 2012 and 2013. Kept all boarding passes etc. I did worry a bit about him stamping my passport because how would they know I left? Well that's what a boarding pass is for! I also have multiple documents to prove I returned. They don't stamp your passport leaving the US for a Canadian as you go thru customs when back in Canada.

I believe if you are organized its no problem. Don't be evasive. You are doing nothing wrong. Be positive!

Apr 11/13...married in Las Vegas
Apr 18/13...filed 1-130
Apr 22/13...received notification Noa1

Nov 26/13...218 days transferred from NBC to CSC

Dec 30/13..Notification of approval NOA2

Jan 9/14....Received by NVC

Feb 10/14...Obtained Case#, IIN,BIN#'s

Feb 10/14...sent OPTIN email..received

Feb 15/14...Confirmation for DS261

Feb 20/14...AOS shows PAID

Feb 20/14...Received Document Cover sheet (bar coded)

Feb 28/14.. received OPTIN approval

Feb 28/14...emailed OAS package

Mar 4/14 paid IV Bill

Mar 6/14 submitted DS260

Apr 14/14 Case Complete NVC

Apr 17/14 Received instructions for appt

Apr 21/14 Case sent electronically to Montreal.

May 30/14 appt in Montreal

May 30/14 APPROVED!!! YIPPEE

June 4/14 Passport with Visa in Hand! (quick eh)
Aug 20/14 POE Detroit Bridge

Aug 26/14 received SSN (card)

May 23/16 Filed 1-751 (California)

Nov 26/16 751 Approved 10 yr card on way.

N400

Dec 27/17   Mailed application

Dec 29/18   Priority Date

Jan 4/18     NOA..Fee pd

Jan 24/18   Biometrics

Feb 9/19    N400 Interview in Las Vegas- Approved!!

Mar 8/19   Oath Ceremony

Mar 8/19   I'm a citizen!!

 

 

Posted

Most of us have never had problems visiting. Especially if you have a job or are in school. Those kinds of things are your biggest ties to your home country (Canada.) Bring proof of that and other ties as well as a return ticket, don't stay too long either. :)

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

My 2 cents are down below in my signature. Yes you hear about people being barred, having huge hassles---Why?? Good chance they were LYING, or not quite telling the truth! and yes sometimes one does run into an in-experienced border guard! Very simple--TELL THE TRUTH!!! Many of us, including me, visited the USA a lot during the process. Treat the POE officer with respect, good chance he/she will do the same, and the onus is on YOU to provide the proof of ties that you will be returning. I always had them with me, never had to produce them. Best of luck

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

My Canadian husband has traveled to the US several times while we were dating/engaged and now married waiting for the CR1. He has never had a problem - he is always honest at the POE and has some back up just in case he is asked. They usually just ask him the reason for travel, where he is going, how long he is staying and then let him through.

When he came to the states for our wedding in Feb. 2013 he said he was visiting his fiance, which is accurate - then we got married and he went back up to Canada. Since then he has just told them he is visiting his wife. Honesty is always the best policy! Also, you also don't need to volunteer information if you are not asked.

Edited by gwenstar
s-event.png s-event.png
IR-1/CR-1 Visa : National Benefits Center NVC Received: 2014-01-08
Consulate : Montreal, Canada NVC Case Number: 2014-02-07
Marriage : 2013-02-22 Paid I-864 Bill: 2014-02-13
I-130 Sent : 2013-03-16 Sent I-864 Docs: 2014-02-14
I-130 NOA1 : 2013-03-20 Paid IV Bill: 2014-03-03
Trans. to NSC : 2013-11-05 Sent IV Docs: 2014-03-04
I-130 NOA2: 2013-12-16 Submitted DS-260: 2014-03-06

Case Complete 2014-03-21

Interview & APPROVED 2014-05-08

POE 2014-06-21

 
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