Will I be allowed in the USA?

[GA&CA 0]

Ok, so my girlfriend and I are going to be getting engaged soon. So we are going with the K1. Now I am a pilot in Canada for a living. I will hopefully be able to work as a pilot on the USA after getting the K1. I have heard that during this process...( waiting at least 6 mnths for the K1 to get approved) that I being Canadian cannot travel to the USA until my paperwork is cleared. If this is true, it would really make my life complicated if I fly into the USA for my job during the waiting process. (which I occasionally do - and have to clear customs). Can anyone give me some insight on this?

thanks

G

[riblet 0]

There is no specific prohibition against entering the U.S. while a visa is being processed.

The problem that anyone in the VJ situation encounters is that they must be prepared to present convincing evidence that they will be returning to their home country or they may be turned back. It's really sheer chance, and the mood of the border official.

[misa 2]

I'm sure it won't be a problem since you are pilot and will be travelling as part of your job. I highly doubt they will give you any problems if you are in uniform and have whatever paperwork it is you carry when you pilot a flight.

Edited December 4, 2006 by misa

[ManuNSam 1]

Hey

I wouldnt be as positive thinking as the others posted here.

I have read SOMEWHERE here on VJ that people going to visit each other during the procsss got denied entry (they were from canada). Yes the reason was that they could not show that they were going to return to thier own country, but they had jobs too.

To be safe - i would do a triple check on this.

Is there a department for your airline that is in charge of visas - perhaps for pilots flying to/from countries requiring visas.

i wouldnt want this to affect your job

if you start the process - it takes a long time to stop it!

so if it does cause an issue - it might take time to wiggle out of it.

sam

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

I think a call ahead to the customs office(s) that you will be going through as part of your job would be highly useful. They're the ones who'll be able to advise you.

Edited December 4, 2006 by jane2005

[Flames9_RN 358]

Some people have no problems while going thropugh the various visa process (k1, k3, cr-1, etc), others do get denied. I travelled monthly to DC and never had a problem, thats just my experience. There is really no 100% answer if you wil or wil lnot be successfull, pretty much depends on the POE officer. Answer there questiopns honestly, but don't add too much info, if you know what I mean. Lot of times al they wqould ask if I was down for business or pleasure and when I was comign back. i answered pleasure and returning on such a date. i was honest, but didnt add on that i was coming down to see my wife, lol A few times i did mention i was coming to see my wife, and again no probs!! As stated earlier and by others,depends on the POE officer, if he senses that ur going to stay or not stay! best of luck

[desert_fox 32]

Have your company get you a crewmans visa.

[Keigwyn 1]

I travelled many times during the K1 process without a problem. Unfortunately asking beforehand will not help you. It is down to the specific POE officer that you encounter to determine whether you can enter or not.

[davejenni 0]

You have a job in Canada...that is one of the biggest ties to your home country that they like you to have before letting you enter the US!! I seriously can't see them denying you entry.

I am one of the 'lucky ones'...I applied for a B2 while our petition was going through and received the full 6 months. At the POE I was questioned for a full hour!!! (That's another story!!) They still let me in, and I applied for an extension of another 6 months and got it!! So, for my total honesty to the US Embassy in London and to USCIS, I DID get my time to 'SIT IT OUT' as it has been called...

And just so people can have hope, I didn't really have ties to my home country as I gave up my job and sold my house.

There is NO stipulation at all that you can't enter the US during the process and when you enter with your job they are going to ask you what your reason for entry is, and you tell them it is your job. No different than any other day of the week for you!

Good luck with everything

[meauxna 15]

Ok, so my girlfriend and I are going to be getting engaged soon. So we are going with the K1. Now I am a pilot in Canada for a living. I will hopefully be able to work as a pilot on the USA after getting the K1. I have heard that during this process...( waiting at least 6 mnths for the K1 to get approved) that I being Canadian cannot travel to the USA until my paperwork is cleared. If this is true, it would really make my life complicated if I fly into the USA for my job during the waiting process. (which I occasionally do - and have to clear customs). Can anyone give me some insight on this?

thanks

G

G, you probably won't be able to work in the US as a pilot after you get the K-1. Potentially after you get your EAD. If I were me, I'd be looking into what's required by US airlines ASAP.

I agree that your employer should help you get a crew visa; that will explain your crossings and cover you during your K application period.

[edsperfect 25]

Ok, so my girlfriend and I are going to be getting engaged soon. So we are going with the K1. Now I am a pilot in Canada for a living. I will hopefully be able to work as a pilot on the USA after getting the K1. I have heard that during this process...( waiting at least 6 mnths for the K1 to get approved) that I being Canadian cannot travel to the USA until my paperwork is cleared. If this is true, it would really make my life complicated if I fly into the USA for my job during the waiting process. (which I occasionally do - and have to clear customs). Can anyone give me some insight on this?

thanks

G

G, you probably won't be able to work in the US as a pilot after you get the K-1. Potentially after you get your EAD. If I were me, I'd be looking into what's required by US airlines ASAP.

I agree that your employer should help you get a crew visa; that will explain your crossings and cover you during your K application period.

Common sense would seem to say youwqould have no problem. They ask why are you here and for how long. The answer is i flew a plane in and am leaving on the return flight with the plane. Doesn't seem to indicate to me nor should it to customs that you are here for any other reason than to fly your employers customers into and out of the US.

[GA&CA 0]

G, you probably won't be able to work in the US as a pilot after you get the K-1. Potentially after you get your EAD. If I were me, I'd be looking into what's required by US airlines ASAP.

I agree that your employer should help you get a crew visa; that will explain your crossings and cover you during your K application period.

What makes you think I wont be able to work in the USA as a pilot after K1? Im not arguing the point Im just curious as to how you came ot this conclusion. The whole thing is making me have sleepless nights. My better half and I are just looking for the quickest way that we can be together and that I will be allowed to work and fly for an american company. As we have both learned the hard way through our relationship that the opportunities for us are better down there.

[payxibka 10,047]

What makes you think I wont be able to work in the USA as a pilot after K1? Im not arguing the point Im just curious as to how you came ot this conclusion. The whole thing is making me have sleepless nights. My better half and I are just looking for the quickest way that we can be together and that I will be allowed to work and fly for an american company. As we have both learned the hard way through our relationship that the opportunities for us are better down there.

My airline has had many foreign national pilots (Canadian, Greek, German, etc...) who were LPR's working with greencards. The only issue is the background checks take longer.

[GA&CA 0]

What makes you think I wont be able to work in the USA as a pilot after K1? Im not arguing the point Im just curious as to how you came ot this conclusion. The whole thing is making me have sleepless nights. My better half and I are just looking for the quickest way that we can be together and that I will be allowed to work and fly for an american company. As we have both learned the hard way through our relationship that the opportunities for us are better down there.

My airline has had many foreign national pilots (Canadian, Greek, German, etc...) who were LPR's working with greencards. The only issue is the background checks take longer.

The only problem is with the K1 I will not have a greencard yet. I might be taking a big risk in the fact I dont have one and will only have a work permit to get hired.

[payxibka 10,047]

What makes you think I wont be able to work in the USA as a pilot after K1? Im not arguing the point Im just curious as to how you came ot this conclusion. The whole thing is making me have sleepless nights. My better half and I are just looking for the quickest way that we can be together and that I will be allowed to work and fly for an american company. As we have both learned the hard way through our relationship that the opportunities for us are better down there.

My airline has had many foreign national pilots (Canadian, Greek, German, etc...) who were LPR's working with greencards. The only issue is the background checks take longer.

The only problem is with the K1 I will not have a greencard yet. I might be taking a big risk in the fact I dont have one and will only have a work permit to get hired.

A K-1 is work authorized for 90 days. You potentially will have a gap until you get your EAD. As long as you are work authorized it should not matter. What kind of equipment are you type rated in?