Unused/Expired IR-1 Visa in Passport

[JJ Day 22]

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer, although my situation might be rare.

After going through the process of receiving an IR-1 visa, my husband and I decided not to move to the United States after all. I have the unused visa in my passport (which expired November 2015) and I am wondering if this might give me problems crossing the border from Canada to the US. I am concerned they will deny entry because they may think I have intent to immigrate. Silly, because if I had that intent I would have used the visa, but I'm still concerned.

It's been suggested I apply for a replacement passport that will not have a visa in it, but I wonder if that's just an over-cautious recommendation. I just don't want the conversation to come up every time I cross the border, should officials flip through all pages of my passport and come across the visa.

Thanks for any advice!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

You do not have a problem. Just explain that you decided not to immigrate. There is no reason to replace your passport.

[NikLR 13,231]

Its not much of a conversation. Lol. But really it's not much of an issue. Bring proof of your ties to Canada.

[lili kolo 1]

the same happen to me here with a K1 visa. When I past the border after expired, the officer let me go in the USA but told me that I have to cancell it. What I did after. For do that, you have to send your passport to the consulate with a letter that explain you didnt use it and they will print the word cancell on your visa. So in the futur if you decide to restart the process, you will not have problem about that.