Canadian wife moving belongings to US?

[DUSTOFF 0]

I have a couple of questions I hope can be answered here.

The visa process for my wife's case is currently at the NVC (awaiting a date for medical and interview in Montreal). We had a hiccup because we sent the I864 packet via regular mail and we had signed up for electronic filing. So the packet was sent back and now we have to scan and send electronically. This was a miscommunication between myself and my wife, as I have been deployed for 95% of the process. She is currently in Canada and I am schedule to be back home at the end of the year. We have put a deposit down on a rental home and now we are unsure if she will be complete her visa process by the end of Oct (when the house is available for move in).

Can she start moving furniture and belongings to the US before the process is complete?

If the process isn't complete by the time I redeploy can she just cross the boarder as a regular visitor and receive me off the plane?

[KennethBrewerr 0]

If you are an U.S. citizen or resident moving or transporting your personal equipment, household and/or personal effects in-transit through Canada from one U.S. State to another, you will encounter Customs in the U.S. and Canada. Customs in both countries will enforce their regulations and may want to inspect your goods to determine admissibility. (In most cases, the below described process is very similar for Canadians transiting the U.S. with household effects.)

There are measures you can take prior to leaving the U.S. with your belongings to assist both customs authorities in determining the goods' admissibility and to avoid complications when clearing Customs in Canada and the U.S.

1. Prepare an inventory list of the items you are transporting and present it when you declare your goods to the Canadian Customs (going into Canada) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers (when reentering the U.S.).

2. Present documentation to the Canadian Customs officer to prove you do not intend to stay in Canada. For example, if you are moving to another U.S. State for employment reasons, a letter of employment can be presented to Canadian Customs. A new signed lease or mortgage for a new house in the U.S. would also be sufficient proof of your intent.

i601a Waiver | US Immigration Policy | Attorney for i601 Waiver

[NikLR 13,227]

No she can't move it down before she moves down. Even a moving company will require an endorsed visa to move her belongings to the USA. (I'm saying this as a Canadian Citizen and information from CBP and the Canada forum section of the board.)

She could try a uhaul but there are many stories about people being turned back at the border because it looks like they're moving down before they have the visa. She will have up to 10 years to move her stuff. If she wants to visit, she can. Even start to buy some things there you guys may not have already (or want new.) But moving beforehand, especially more than a suitcase can hold, is generally taken as a no-no.

Yes if the process is not done by the time you're back, she can come down as a visitor and welcome you home. (TAKE PICTURES... So many feels with those!! ) She can also come down and see you off as well if you're redeploying. BUt if you have proof of said redeployment make sure to send it on to the NVC so they can schedule her ASAP.

Edited September 18, 2013 by NLR

[NikLR 13,227]

If you are an U.S. citizen or resident moving or transporting your personal equipment, household and/or personal effects in-transit through Canada from one U.S. State to another, you will encounter Customs in the U.S. and Canada. Customs in both countries will enforce their regulations and may want to inspect your goods to determine admissibility. (In most cases, the below described process is very similar for Canadians transiting the U.S. with household effects.)

There are measures you can take prior to leaving the U.S. with your belongings to assist both customs authorities in determining the goods' admissibility and to avoid complications when clearing Customs in Canada and the U.S.

1. Prepare an inventory list of the items you are transporting and present it when you declare your goods to the Canadian Customs (going into Canada) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers (when reentering the U.S.).

2. Present documentation to the Canadian Customs officer to prove you do not intend to stay in Canada. For example, if you are moving to another U.S. State for employment reasons, a letter of employment can be presented to Canadian Customs. A new signed lease or mortgage for a new house in the U.S. would also be sufficient proof of your intent.

i601a Waiver | US Immigration Policy | Attorney for i601 Waiver

This isn't really relevant copy/paste for the OP. The OP's wife is not considered a US resident until she has an endorsed visa. The US citizen would have to show he has been working or living in Canada (which he has not been.) Canada customs (CBSA) has nothing to do with her moving to the USA.