Yes, you can visit!

[mitchanme 18]

My sweetie and I have been discussing me going to the US while my visa is in process. We hope to drive from B.C. out to Saskatchewan to drop stuff off at my kid's places (downsizing begins!), as well as for fiance to meet my sons and grandchildren and then carry on to Iowa. I'm concerned about crossing the border 500 miles from home, and us being together at the time. I would dearly love to take some things down in advance but I realise that's a good way to get turned back. He'll be coming to visit me on a one way ticket before we go and we wonder if that may be a problem as well. We'll be driving my truck. I plan on being in US for about 2 months to put in a garden and generally get things sorted in my (hopefully) new home, and then he will probably come back with me to go to interview and drive back after approval (yes we're optimistic types). We are both self employed. Oh, and I'll be taking my dogs too- last time I left them I vowed never again. Does this sound like a recipe for disaster? Has anyone actually been turned away at a land crossing?

[Anna Grant 169]

My sweetie and I have been discussing me going to the US while my visa is in process. We hope to drive from B.C. out to Saskatchewan to drop stuff off at my kid's places (downsizing begins!), as well as for fiance to meet my sons and grandchildren and then carry on to Iowa. I'm concerned about crossing the border 500 miles from home, and us being together at the time. I would dearly love to take some things down in advance but I realise that's a good way to get turned back. He'll be coming to visit me on a one way ticket before we go and we wonder if that may be a problem as well. We'll be driving my truck. I plan on being in US for about 2 months to put in a garden and generally get things sorted in my (hopefully) new home, and then he will probably come back with me to go to interview and drive back after approval (yes we're optimistic types). We are both self employed. Oh, and I'll be taking my dogs too- last time I left them I vowed never again. Does this sound like a recipe for disaster? Has anyone actually been turned away at a land crossing?

Err...'recipe for disaster' IMHO.

The dogs will be a major red flag to the CBP officer. That will strongly suggest that you are not going back to Canada and will attempt to AOS from within the US. Filling up your car with lots of personal belongings is another red flag.

What evidence can you bring with you to show that you need to go back to Canada - check here for what you need to think about:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1visit

[Anna Grant 169]

Couldn't add to my previous post:

This person was allowed into the US but was given an I-94 for only 2 weeks:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/472890-help-not-sure-what-to-do-next/

Someone who was denied (although they were married):

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/441102-july-2013-i-130-filers/page-19#entry6615950

Denied due to lack of ties:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/447533-canadian-visiting-us-spouse-is-adjustment-of-status-possible/page-2#entry6442407

Edited January 10, 2014 by Anna Grant

[Sweetmelissa 82]

My sweetie and I have been discussing me going to the US while my visa is in process. We hope to drive from B.C. out to Saskatchewan to drop stuff off at my kid's places (downsizing begins!), as well as for fiance to meet my sons and grandchildren and then carry on to Iowa. I'm concerned about crossing the border 500 miles from home, and us being together at the time. I would dearly love to take some things down in advance but I realise that's a good way to get turned back. He'll be coming to visit me on a one way ticket before we go and we wonder if that may be a problem as well. We'll be driving my truck. I plan on being in US for about 2 months to put in a garden and generally get things sorted in my (hopefully) new home, and then he will probably come back with me to go to interview and drive back after approval (yes we're optimistic types). We are both self employed. Oh, and I'll be taking my dogs too- last time I left them I vowed never again. Does this sound like a recipe for disaster? Has anyone actually been turned away at a land crossing?

I have never had issues going into the US, but my fiance (boyfriend at the time) has been denied coming into Canada at the land crossing in ND. We were both naive and unaware at that time and the whole concept of "proving you will return back home" was completely new. Needless to say it was devastating and an eye opener. Now I am sure bring documentation showing that I have a life in Canada that I will return to - I have visited Raul in the US probably 12 times over the last few years and each crossing is a new story, but I have not been denied.

tl;dr - bring solid documentation proving ties to home country

[mitchanme 18]

Thanks for input guys, there seem to be a zillion different scenarios. I'm thinking we may forego the Saskatchewan part although sweetie wants to see the rest of Canada. If we try crossing here in Victoria it's not such a long drive back if we get denied. One would think you could put up a bond or something. We're both respectable middleaged fogies, and good grief I have a house, business, and grandchildren here. I want so much to get to know his area more before I land there permanently.

He'll be coming here on a one way ticket too, so I guess that will also be interesting....

[Sweetmelissa 82]

He'll be coming here on a one way ticket too, so I guess that will also be interesting....

That may very well raise an eyebrow. I had to go through a whole immigration screening ordeal when I came into the US with a one way ticket this summer. Not sure if it was entirely because I didn't have a set return flight, but it probably contributed to it. I planned to stay for two months in the summer (I teach high high school), but I wasn't sure exactly when I was going to go back, just that it would be near the end of August. After an hour of questions and an officer looking up things on a computer, I was given an I-95 that expired August 31st. If I didn't have documentation proving ties with me, I am pretty sure I would have been sent back home.

I have been back to the US twice since then and no troubles, just the usual questions.

[Anna Grant 169]

If you fly from a country using the VWP, you have to have a return ticket. If you travel from Canada, then tend to be a bit more lenient because, of course, you can come into the US by land.

We are 'old fogies' also - not young 'whipper-snappers'. But I still put together a folder of all my ties to the UK, just in case I had to demonstrate I had to go back. Of course, as the visa process goes on, your ties get weaker and weaker as you are trying to finish up your life in your home country. On my last trip, I had no house, no job, no car. The only thing I was asked to show was my return ticket. That was mainly because I was returning to the US after only being gone for 6 weeks (after a 3 month trip).

[IrishinOhio 0]

I just wanted to share my experience on this.

I am an Irish citizen engaged to a US citizen. We filed for k1 i129F last year. We received receipt number from USCIS in August 2013.

We were told by our US attorney that I could travel to US while our i129F was being processed.

I was all set to travel back to USA in September.

I had plenty of documentation and proof that I would be returning after 90days. I had the notification and receipt number from USCIS about our K1. Details of bank funds. etc etc..

We have pre-clearance in Dublin so once you are cleared in Dublin you are good to go straight to final destination in USA. It was a busy day in Dublin airport so I went down to pre-clearance early. I was called up to the CBP officer desk and asked the usual questions. I am always honest with my answers because lies will come back to bite you, anyway he asked purpose of my visit and I said, " I was going to visit my fiancee", he asked me for how long and I said "89 days". He then asked about if we had filed for K1 etc. he seemed to know about the procedure.

He did a lot of looking at my passport and appeared to be indecisive about what he should do. On several occasions he was about to stamp the passport but he would pull back at the last second ! Finally he said, "you are going to have to come with me to secondary screening". He deposited me in the secondary screening area and mumbled something to another agent and gave her my passport and then he left.

I was told to sit down and not to use my phone.

Bearing in mind everyone, I was very polite throughout the whole situation.

There were several other groups of people that had been sent in for secondary screening. One couple had a ton of sandwiches from their previous connection flight stuffed in their carry on. so they were getting a grilling for not declaring the food. Another guy was sent in because he wouldn't get off his cell phone in the pre clearance area que and they obviously were punishing him now by making him sweat a little. There were a couple of others there but I'm not sure what for.

They dealt with all the others that were before me and after some questions and the odd bag check they were all allowed to board their respective flights to the USA.

The agent that was dealing with me looked briefly at my passport and I heard her making a call to the baggage handlers requesting to remove my bag off the plane. Then after about 15mins she called me to the desk. Almost immediately she declared, "you are not granted permission to enter the USA today" She didn't look at me the entire time. Obviously I asked "why?". She said it was because I had a K1 Visa in process and while they were doing background checks I was not allowed in the USA. I then explained that we had spoken to our attorney and he said I could travel back and I showed her my receipt from the USCIS. Upon hearing the word "attorney" she rolled her eyes and exclaimed, "SIR, how an attorney interprets the Law and what the Law actually is are two different things". Then she told me sit down. I asked her what was going to happen next and she said I was going to be escorted by an airline official to retrieve my bag and then I would be directed out of the airport. At that point I sat down and I was in total shock. I thought about it a little more and said to myself I better try and put forward a case so I can get on that plane that was leaving in an hour. I asked to approach the desk and she beckoned for me to come forward. I then began to explain that I had no intention of staying past my allowed time and that I was being fully honest in all I had said and I took out more evidence that I was ligit but she just kept typing on her computer and chewing her gum and she wouldn't look at me the entire time. She just reiterated what she said at the start.

I then said that this is very stressful situation to be in and my fiancee will be very upset. At that point she turned to me and said, and I quote, "Sir, if you don't sit down I will make a case out of this and you will never get your fiancee Visa". At that point I knew there was no room for negotiation so I let it rest. I asked if I could call my mother to ask her not to leave Dublin so I could get a ride home. She beckoned to another agent to take me to another area to make the call. I rang my mother who was naturally surprised and wanted to know what happened and I started to briefly explain but mid conversation the agent snapped at me to finish the call as I was wasting the agents time! Just to let you know the pre-clearance hall was now empty.

Upon return I sat back down and just had to wait. I was the only one in the seating area. The agent who was dealing with me then stood up and announced to the others that she was going to lunch. Once she left the other agents started to talk with me and actually said that they felt sorry for me and asked if I wanted some water or anything. I told them a little about my fiancee and then they just talked among themselves.

I was now in the area 2.5 hours and not being allowed use a phone or anything I felt pretty restrained. I asked one of the agents if there was any news on my bag because at this stage I would just like to go home. She said she would call but when she got off the phone she said that the agent who had been dealing with me never requested for an airline rep to come and escort me to the baggage reclaim!!! Anyway, a few mins later a united airlines rep came to pick me up and they gave me back my passport and brought me down to collect my bag before escorting me to the arrivals area.

Now all I can say is, I am a very polite and intelligent guy but the way I was treated that day was absolutely unprofessional. I felt like was being put in the same box as a terrorist!

On the other hand, I was not up to date on what my rights were that day. On a later date I had to ring the US Embassy in Dublin on another matter and this whole thing came up and they were outraged that I was not allowed entry that day. I said I didn't want to make an issue of it but I do have the agents name noted.

So what I would advise people who are lucky to have found the Visa Journey website is, read up on all the advise available to you here so that you are armed with information. Have all your documentation and details in order and have the direct extension number of the respective department in your local US embassy on hand and if you run into a situation like mine then politely request that they call that number and verify what they are saying with the embassy.

They say that the CBP agent has the right to deny entry but they must have just cause and in my case they didn't even bother to review the circumstances.

[pmarshall 9]

Hi all

So a return ticket ? This is hard if you book online ? Do you just present the confirmation email with the dates on ?

Thanks

Paul

[mitchanme 18]

Now I'm wondering about the return ticket thing. I have friends who have gone to the states to come back on someones boat- no time frame, or joined up with family travelling by RV. So, when fiancé comes to go to my visa interview and help me move my stuff down he then has to have a return flight booked?? There is no other way to prove it. I never travelled in the US until I met him and I didn't realise how apparently sticky they are.

[pmarshall 9]

Hi all,

OK I'm due to fly to Texas (Houston,Corpus) in February 27th for 11 days to celebrate my birthday, I've just come back from a Christmas visit for 10 days on the 5th January.

I'm just making sure early that i have enough proof of ties with me just incase:

1. Return ticket - Can this be a print out from online confirmation

2. Copy of Noa1

3. Letter from employer stating my intended date to return to work.

4. Employer extended contract letter showing i have work until Jan 2015

5. Latest bank statement showing funds in bank account

What else would be good ?? as i now live with parents again while the petition is process so i can save money so no proof of rent/mortgage

Thank you

Paul

[Anna Grant 169]

Hi all,

OK I'm due to fly to Texas (Houston,Corpus) in February 27th for 11 days to celebrate my birthday, I've just come back from a Christmas visit for 10 days on the 5th January.

I'm just making sure early that i have enough proof of ties with me just incase:

1. Return ticket - Can this be a print out from online confirmation

2. Copy of Noa1

3. Letter from employer stating my intended date to return to work.

4. Employer extended contract letter showing i have work until Jan 2015

5. Latest bank statement showing funds in bank account

What else would be good ?? as i now live with parents again while the petition is process so i can save money so no proof of rent/mortgage

Thank you

Paul

For my return ticket, I just printed out my onine confirmation. Don;t forget to print out a copy of your ESTA. Although it says you don;t need it printed, I have seen people on here be asked for it.

Do you own a car? Car insurance? Phone contract?

Having said that, your list would seem fine.

[pmarshall 9]

For my return ticket, I just printed out my onine confirmation. Don;t forget to print out a copy of your ESTA. Although it says you don;t need it printed, I have seen people on here be asked for it.

Do you own a car? Car insurance? Phone contract?

Having said that, your list would seem fine.

Just thinking about car insurance contract and yes I have my esta printed out ;-)

Thanks

[Churches91 3]

Hey everyone, wanted to get some opinions from y'all.

Me (the usc) and my fiance have been together since June 2013, our trips since then have been like this:

-September 4 2013 - September 16 2013

-October 13 2013 - January 8th 2014

We filed for our K1 visa before her second trip and they sent our NOA 1 on October the 15th 2013, we're still waiting for the NOA2.

We want to visit again as soon as possible because we miss each other a lot (of course), when do you think we can do this without being turned away at customs. She had to go to the second room during her second visit to be further questioned, they called me and I answered questions honestly (our application wasn't showing up in their system, so things seemed tense over the phone).

Thanks for any input!

Edit for more info:

-She is unemployed and not a student, lives with her parents.

-I have yet to visit her, I'm a full time student and can't get the time to do so.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Churches91

[LiseB 1]

We have pre-clearance in Dublin so once you are cleared in Dublin you are good to go straight to final destination in USA.

I went through Dublin airport this Saturday to visit my fiancé. I'm a French citizen and usually leave from Paris, but I currently live in Ireland so I went through Dublin. I wasn't aware of the pre-clearence, and very nervous because I had a very short time between my flights in Philadelphia. It didn't help that last time I traveled to the US (in August 2013), I was taken to second screening for something about one of my expired student visa.

But my exprience with Dublin pre-clearance is the exact opposite than yours. I was so happy to know I would not have to go through border control in Philly I was in such a good mood, the officer asked me what was my final destination, I responded Charlotte NC and he then told me he wanted to move back to the US in NC and asked me where I would recommend living, and then "have a good day, welcome to the US". Not one question asked about the visa/petiton or anything.

It made my trip much better, as I was not nervous at all on arrival!