Jump to content
JessDak

Traveling with K1 visa

By JessDak in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

 Share

15 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

JessDak Explorer

JessDak   27

Posted
Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted

Hi guys! I just got my passport back with the K1 visa and a sealed envelope that I was told to present to the US customs officer. The issue that I'm having is that I am traveling from the Bahamas.

In the Bahamas we have US customs in the Nassau, Bahamas airport, so we clear customs before even leaving the country. BUT the only reasonably priced tickets I can find to Minnesota have a layover in Canada, which means that I will have to clear US customs twice, once in the Bahamas, and once in Canada. I'm afraid that the customs officer in the Bahamas will open my envelope, and when I reach Canada, that the customs officers there will not admit me without the envelope.

Does this make sense? Do you guys have any advice?

Fiancee Visa Timeline

1/7/16 - I-129F Sent

1/28/16 - NOA1

3/10/16 - NOA2

4/8/16 - NVC Sent

5/2/16 - Medical

5/2/16 - Interview

5/4/16 - Physical

5/10/16 - Dropped passport off at Embassy

5/12/16 - Visa in Hand

5/21/16 - POE

7/10/16 - Marriage

 

AOS Timeline

7/21/16 - Mailed packet

7/23/16 - Packet delivered

7/28/16 - NOA1

10/7/16 - Biometrics

11/30/16 - EAD/AP Approved

12/6.16 - EAD/AP Received

1/21/17 - New card ordered for production

1/23/17 - Greencard Approved (no interview)

1/24/17 - Greencard Mailed

1/26/17 - Greencard Received

 

  • On Oct 13th AOS status was updated to say that a notice was returned due to post office being unable to deliver it. Tier two told me that it was biometrics or NOA1 (even though I had received both before this date).

  • A few weeks later I received a notice dated Nov 10th, in regards to my call about the Oct 13th notice. The new notice said that there were no RFE's or withholding on my case. So still not sure what this Oct 13th notice was about.

  • Received a letter from a NY office on Dec 23rd (dated Dec 10) stating that my medical was over 1 year old. (At this point my medical was only 7 months old)

  • Teir two submitted an internal service request to which I got a response telling me that I need to respond to RFE ASAP

  • Submitted another service request on 1/6/17. To which I got a response on 1/19/17 stating that my case was pending and is outside of processing time (no mention of RFE)

 

ROC Timeline

10/21/18 - Packet Sent

xx/xx/xx - NOA1

xx/xx/xx - NOA2

xx/xx/xx - Card Received

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hypnos Grand Master

Hypnos   6,576

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

That's... actually an interesting question.

Widow/er AoS Guide | Have AoS questions? Read (some) answers here

 

AoS

Day 0 (4/23/12) Petitions mailed (I-360, I-485, I-765)
2 (4/25/12) Petitions delivered to Chicago Lockbox
11 (5/3/12) Received 3 paper NOAs
13 (5/5/12) Received biometrics appointment for 5/23
15 (5/7/12) Did an unpleasant walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX
45 (6/7/12) Received email & text notification of an interview on 7/10
67 (6/29/12) EAD production ordered
77 (7/9/12) Received EAD
78 (7/10/12) Interview
100 (8/1/12) I-485 transferred to Vermont Service Centre
143 (9/13/12) Contacted DHS Ombudsman
268 (1/16/13) I-360, I-485 consolidated and transferred to Dallas
299 (2/16/13) Received second interview letter for 3/8
319 (3/8/13) Approved at interview
345 (4/3/13) I-360, I-485 formally approved; green card production ordered
353 (4/11/13) Received green card

 

Naturalisation

Day 0 (1/3/18) N-400 filed online

Day 6 (1/9/18) Walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX

Day 341 (12/10/18) Interview was scheduled for 1/14/19

Day 376 (1/14/19) Interview

Day 385 (1/23/19) Denied

Day 400 (2/7/19) Denial revoked; N-400 approved; oath ceremony set for 2/14/19

Day 407 (2/14/19) Oath ceremony in Dallas, TX

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Harpa Timsah Grand Master

Harpa Timsah   13,258

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Israel
 Timeline
Posted

I would think that the Canadian airport is also a US preclearance site, otherwise you'd do US immigration just to leave the "US" immediately to go to Canada.

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   45,538

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

You only clear US Customs and Immigration if you are going to the US. You are going to Canada.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hypnos Grand Master

Hypnos   6,576

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Makes sense.

Need more coffee.

Widow/er AoS Guide | Have AoS questions? Read (some) answers here

 

AoS

Day 0 (4/23/12) Petitions mailed (I-360, I-485, I-765)
2 (4/25/12) Petitions delivered to Chicago Lockbox
11 (5/3/12) Received 3 paper NOAs
13 (5/5/12) Received biometrics appointment for 5/23
15 (5/7/12) Did an unpleasant walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX
45 (6/7/12) Received email & text notification of an interview on 7/10
67 (6/29/12) EAD production ordered
77 (7/9/12) Received EAD
78 (7/10/12) Interview
100 (8/1/12) I-485 transferred to Vermont Service Centre
143 (9/13/12) Contacted DHS Ombudsman
268 (1/16/13) I-360, I-485 consolidated and transferred to Dallas
299 (2/16/13) Received second interview letter for 3/8
319 (3/8/13) Approved at interview
345 (4/3/13) I-360, I-485 formally approved; green card production ordered
353 (4/11/13) Received green card

 

Naturalisation

Day 0 (1/3/18) N-400 filed online

Day 6 (1/9/18) Walk-in biometrics in Fort Worth, TX

Day 341 (12/10/18) Interview was scheduled for 1/14/19

Day 376 (1/14/19) Interview

Day 385 (1/23/19) Denied

Day 400 (2/7/19) Denial revoked; N-400 approved; oath ceremony set for 2/14/19

Day 407 (2/14/19) Oath ceremony in Dallas, TX

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pch1 Community Regular

pch1   64

Posted
Filed: IR-5 Country: Seychelles
 Timeline
Posted

I don't know if this link can be of help to you...Also I think if you have a visa to the US, you can get a transient visa to Canada overnight. If I read this correctly, the USBP in Nassau should be the ones to handle your visa and package. Would they open and reseal it, maybe!

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1250/~/bahamian-citizen-document-requirements

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessDak Explorer

JessDak   27

Posted
Filed: Country:
Timeline
  • Author
Posted

I don't know if this link can be of help to you...Also I think if you have a visa to the US, you can get a transient visa to Canada overnight. If I read this correctly, the USBP in Nassau should be the ones to handle your visa and package. Would they open and reseal it, maybe!

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1250/~/bahamian-citizen-document-requirements

Yes, I think the pre-clearance in Nassau would handle it since in our airport, passing US customs is along the path way to get to the gates..as in, you cannot physically get to the plane without walking through US customs....I've also traveled through Canada before going to MN, and they've always checked my documents....they've never just let me go through since I'm going through Canada....I don't knowww!! :(

Also, the tickets through Canada are about $300...the ones that dont go through Canada (on delta, or united) seem to start at $500 (and those are for the 21+ hour flights)

Fiancee Visa Timeline

1/7/16 - I-129F Sent

1/28/16 - NOA1

3/10/16 - NOA2

4/8/16 - NVC Sent

5/2/16 - Medical

5/2/16 - Interview

5/4/16 - Physical

5/10/16 - Dropped passport off at Embassy

5/12/16 - Visa in Hand

5/21/16 - POE

7/10/16 - Marriage

 

AOS Timeline

7/21/16 - Mailed packet

7/23/16 - Packet delivered

7/28/16 - NOA1

10/7/16 - Biometrics

11/30/16 - EAD/AP Approved

12/6.16 - EAD/AP Received

1/21/17 - New card ordered for production

1/23/17 - Greencard Approved (no interview)

1/24/17 - Greencard Mailed

1/26/17 - Greencard Received

 

  • On Oct 13th AOS status was updated to say that a notice was returned due to post office being unable to deliver it. Tier two told me that it was biometrics or NOA1 (even though I had received both before this date).

  • A few weeks later I received a notice dated Nov 10th, in regards to my call about the Oct 13th notice. The new notice said that there were no RFE's or withholding on my case. So still not sure what this Oct 13th notice was about.

  • Received a letter from a NY office on Dec 23rd (dated Dec 10) stating that my medical was over 1 year old. (At this point my medical was only 7 months old)

  • Teir two submitted an internal service request to which I got a response telling me that I need to respond to RFE ASAP

  • Submitted another service request on 1/6/17. To which I got a response on 1/19/17 stating that my case was pending and is outside of processing time (no mention of RFE)

 

ROC Timeline

10/21/18 - Packet Sent

xx/xx/xx - NOA1

xx/xx/xx - NOA2

xx/xx/xx - Card Received

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pch1 Community Regular

pch1   64

Posted
Filed: IR-5 Country: Seychelles
 Timeline
Posted

Yes, I think the pre-clearance in Nassau would handle it since in our airport, passing US customs is along the path way to get to the gates..as in, you cannot physically get to the plane without walking through US customs....I've also traveled through Canada before going to MN, and they've always checked my documents....they've never just let me go through since I'm going through Canada....I don't knowww!! :(

Also, the tickets through Canada are about $300...the ones that dont go through Canada (on delta, or united) seem to start at $500 (and those are for the 21+ hour flights)

I thought that the USBP would give you a clearance to travel from Canada to the US if they opened your package and determine you are traveling on a K1 visa.I would think they would complete the process there. Should you the number they have and inquire? Anyways, best of luck to you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessDak Explorer

JessDak   27

Posted
Filed: Country:
Timeline
  • Author
Posted

You only clear US Customs and Immigration if you are going to the US. You are going to Canada.

I'm not sure if I understand. I am going to the US, i'm just doing a layover in Canada.

And I've flown that route before (Nassau to Canada, then Canada to US) and I did have to stop at US customs in Nassau as well as in Canada

Fiancee Visa Timeline

1/7/16 - I-129F Sent

1/28/16 - NOA1

3/10/16 - NOA2

4/8/16 - NVC Sent

5/2/16 - Medical

5/2/16 - Interview

5/4/16 - Physical

5/10/16 - Dropped passport off at Embassy

5/12/16 - Visa in Hand

5/21/16 - POE

7/10/16 - Marriage

 

AOS Timeline

7/21/16 - Mailed packet

7/23/16 - Packet delivered

7/28/16 - NOA1

10/7/16 - Biometrics

11/30/16 - EAD/AP Approved

12/6.16 - EAD/AP Received

1/21/17 - New card ordered for production

1/23/17 - Greencard Approved (no interview)

1/24/17 - Greencard Mailed

1/26/17 - Greencard Received

 

  • On Oct 13th AOS status was updated to say that a notice was returned due to post office being unable to deliver it. Tier two told me that it was biometrics or NOA1 (even though I had received both before this date).

  • A few weeks later I received a notice dated Nov 10th, in regards to my call about the Oct 13th notice. The new notice said that there were no RFE's or withholding on my case. So still not sure what this Oct 13th notice was about.

  • Received a letter from a NY office on Dec 23rd (dated Dec 10) stating that my medical was over 1 year old. (At this point my medical was only 7 months old)

  • Teir two submitted an internal service request to which I got a response telling me that I need to respond to RFE ASAP

  • Submitted another service request on 1/6/17. To which I got a response on 1/19/17 stating that my case was pending and is outside of processing time (no mention of RFE)

 

ROC Timeline

10/21/18 - Packet Sent

xx/xx/xx - NOA1

xx/xx/xx - NOA2

xx/xx/xx - Card Received

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mollie09 Proficient

Mollie09   1,543

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Brazil
 Timeline
Posted

If you're not boarding a flight directly to the US in Nassau, you're not clearing US immigration in Nassau. You'll clear US immigration either in Canada (preclearance at the big airports) or when you land in the US.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessDak Explorer

JessDak   27

Posted
Filed: Country:
Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Ok, after some research I think Harpa, Boiler and F1H1 are correct about not doing US customs in Nassau. So i've applied for an eTA to transit through Canada, and booked my flight. So it should work out that I get from Nassau to Canada with my eTA, then I use my package and K1 visa in the Canadian pre-clearance before my flight to MN. Fingers crossed!! Hopefully I'm just being paranoid.

I'll update you guys after my flight this weekend in case there is anybody else with the same issue. Hopefully no issues!!

Fiancee Visa Timeline

1/7/16 - I-129F Sent

1/28/16 - NOA1

3/10/16 - NOA2

4/8/16 - NVC Sent

5/2/16 - Medical

5/2/16 - Interview

5/4/16 - Physical

5/10/16 - Dropped passport off at Embassy

5/12/16 - Visa in Hand

5/21/16 - POE

7/10/16 - Marriage

 

AOS Timeline

7/21/16 - Mailed packet

7/23/16 - Packet delivered

7/28/16 - NOA1

10/7/16 - Biometrics

11/30/16 - EAD/AP Approved

12/6.16 - EAD/AP Received

1/21/17 - New card ordered for production

1/23/17 - Greencard Approved (no interview)

1/24/17 - Greencard Mailed

1/26/17 - Greencard Received

 

  • On Oct 13th AOS status was updated to say that a notice was returned due to post office being unable to deliver it. Tier two told me that it was biometrics or NOA1 (even though I had received both before this date).

  • A few weeks later I received a notice dated Nov 10th, in regards to my call about the Oct 13th notice. The new notice said that there were no RFE's or withholding on my case. So still not sure what this Oct 13th notice was about.

  • Received a letter from a NY office on Dec 23rd (dated Dec 10) stating that my medical was over 1 year old. (At this point my medical was only 7 months old)

  • Teir two submitted an internal service request to which I got a response telling me that I need to respond to RFE ASAP

  • Submitted another service request on 1/6/17. To which I got a response on 1/19/17 stating that my case was pending and is outside of processing time (no mention of RFE)

 

ROC Timeline

10/21/18 - Packet Sent

xx/xx/xx - NOA1

xx/xx/xx - NOA2

xx/xx/xx - Card Received

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessDak Explorer

JessDak   27

Posted
Filed: Country:
Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Ok! I'm just updating this in case anybody else has a similar issue hopefully this thread can help. I was able to make it to Minnesota without any issues with Border Patrol or Customs!!!

I left from Nassau to Toronto Canada. In Canada, I passed through Canadian border patrol and was 'officially admitted' into Canada. Once there, I had to go through TSA, and go through the US Pre-clearance in Canada (I was lucky number 1 since I was there at 4:30am when US customs opens). The customs officer sent me to secondary where they opened my envelope and stamped my passport and gave me the thumbs up. After that I got on my plane to MN and everything was smooth sailing from there!!

Fiancee Visa Timeline

1/7/16 - I-129F Sent

1/28/16 - NOA1

3/10/16 - NOA2

4/8/16 - NVC Sent

5/2/16 - Medical

5/2/16 - Interview

5/4/16 - Physical

5/10/16 - Dropped passport off at Embassy

5/12/16 - Visa in Hand

5/21/16 - POE

7/10/16 - Marriage

 

AOS Timeline

7/21/16 - Mailed packet

7/23/16 - Packet delivered

7/28/16 - NOA1

10/7/16 - Biometrics

11/30/16 - EAD/AP Approved

12/6.16 - EAD/AP Received

1/21/17 - New card ordered for production

1/23/17 - Greencard Approved (no interview)

1/24/17 - Greencard Mailed

1/26/17 - Greencard Received

 

  • On Oct 13th AOS status was updated to say that a notice was returned due to post office being unable to deliver it. Tier two told me that it was biometrics or NOA1 (even though I had received both before this date).

  • A few weeks later I received a notice dated Nov 10th, in regards to my call about the Oct 13th notice. The new notice said that there were no RFE's or withholding on my case. So still not sure what this Oct 13th notice was about.

  • Received a letter from a NY office on Dec 23rd (dated Dec 10) stating that my medical was over 1 year old. (At this point my medical was only 7 months old)

  • Teir two submitted an internal service request to which I got a response telling me that I need to respond to RFE ASAP

  • Submitted another service request on 1/6/17. To which I got a response on 1/19/17 stating that my case was pending and is outside of processing time (no mention of RFE)

 

ROC Timeline

10/21/18 - Packet Sent

xx/xx/xx - NOA1

xx/xx/xx - NOA2

xx/xx/xx - Card Received

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Harpa Timsah Grand Master

Harpa Timsah   13,258

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Israel
 Timeline
Posted

Ok! I'm just updating this in case anybody else has a similar issue hopefully this thread can help. I was able to make it to Minnesota without any issues with Border Patrol or Customs!!!

I left from Nassau to Toronto Canada. In Canada, I passed through Canadian border patrol and was 'officially admitted' into Canada. Once there, I had to go through TSA, and go through the US Pre-clearance in Canada (I was lucky number 1 since I was there at 4:30am when US customs opens). The customs officer sent me to secondary where they opened my envelope and stamped my passport and gave me the thumbs up. After that I got on my plane to MN and everything was smooth sailing from there!!

Welcome to the US!

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JessDak Explorer

JessDak   27

Posted
Filed: Country:
Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Welcome to the US!

Thank you!! I am so glad to have this part of it over and done with. Now we have a break from paperwork, timelines, deadlines, and all that headache-inducing stuff for at least a little bit until the wedding and AOS begins! lol

Fiancee Visa Timeline

1/7/16 - I-129F Sent

1/28/16 - NOA1

3/10/16 - NOA2

4/8/16 - NVC Sent

5/2/16 - Medical

5/2/16 - Interview

5/4/16 - Physical

5/10/16 - Dropped passport off at Embassy

5/12/16 - Visa in Hand

5/21/16 - POE

7/10/16 - Marriage

 

AOS Timeline

7/21/16 - Mailed packet

7/23/16 - Packet delivered

7/28/16 - NOA1

10/7/16 - Biometrics

11/30/16 - EAD/AP Approved

12/6.16 - EAD/AP Received

1/21/17 - New card ordered for production

1/23/17 - Greencard Approved (no interview)

1/24/17 - Greencard Mailed

1/26/17 - Greencard Received

 

  • On Oct 13th AOS status was updated to say that a notice was returned due to post office being unable to deliver it. Tier two told me that it was biometrics or NOA1 (even though I had received both before this date).

  • A few weeks later I received a notice dated Nov 10th, in regards to my call about the Oct 13th notice. The new notice said that there were no RFE's or withholding on my case. So still not sure what this Oct 13th notice was about.

  • Received a letter from a NY office on Dec 23rd (dated Dec 10) stating that my medical was over 1 year old. (At this point my medical was only 7 months old)

  • Teir two submitted an internal service request to which I got a response telling me that I need to respond to RFE ASAP

  • Submitted another service request on 1/6/17. To which I got a response on 1/19/17 stating that my case was pending and is outside of processing time (no mention of RFE)

 

ROC Timeline

10/21/18 - Packet Sent

xx/xx/xx - NOA1

xx/xx/xx - NOA2

xx/xx/xx - Card Received

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...