Crossing the border w/spouse + a UHaul while CR1 is processing

[centralpork 21]

I will be moving down to the US from Canada ahead of my Canadian spouse in the coming weeks. Our CR1 is underway (submitting documents to NVC) and my husband will remain in Canada until he receives his visa approval. However, I need his help for the move (driving down with a 10' truck) and was wondering if anyone has any advice/experience around crossing the US border in these circumstances? He'll only be coming with me for two days, and will have a return flight booked (and will continue at his current job). We will also bring a printout of our application and an itemized moving list (all of the goods we're moving are mine, as I have lived in Canada for 3+ years). Any suggestions for handling the move/border questions are appreciated!

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

The fact that you're moving only your stuff would seem to play in his favor in being allowed to accompany you. Seems like you have a good plan, especially with the booked airfare for the return trip. Did you just get married? Have you been living together for some time now? If you haven't been cohabitating and are only recently married, you might bring proof of separate addresses. That would further establish that your stuff is your stuff and hasn't been comingled with his stuff.

[centralpork 21]

1 minute ago, Russ&Caro said:

The fact that you're moving only your stuff would seem to play in his favor in being allowed to accompany you. Seems like you have a good plan, especially with the booked airfare for the return trip. Did you just get married? Have you been living together for some time now? If you haven't been cohabitating and are only recently married, you might bring proof of separate addresses. That would further establish that your stuff is your stuff and hasn't been comingled with his stuff.

Thanks for your response! We got married in May 2017, so we have a bit of comingling but we did a decent job of separating our items when packing since it was always the plan for me to go down early. We have had the same address though, so fingers crossed that our list + airfare + proof of employment will suffice!

[debbiedoo 2,339]

normally traveling over the US/CA border with a pending k1 or CR1 isnt a big deal (my fiance does it all the time). 

 

with the moving van, however ... it would make me nervous. are you sure you can't drive it?  I Wouldnt LIKE to but even I'd do it in that situation.  or have a friend accompany me, even.

 

Definitely take a HIGHLY itemized list specifying it is yours, a letter from his employer stating his return date, his return plane ticket, his lease or rental agreement that is still in effect, insurance, bank statements, etc - all things typing him BACK to canada. And the CR1 package

 

 

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

It's not an especially pleasant thought, but you might prepare for the worst in case he is denied. Make sure you can drive the car and trailer yourself or have an American friend join you at some point during the state side journey.

[centralpork 21]

2 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

normally traveling over the US/CA border with a pending k1 or CR1 isnt a big deal (my fiance does it all the time). 

 

with the moving van, however ... it would make me nervous. are you sure you can't drive it?  I Wouldnt LIKE to but even I'd do it in that situation.  or have a friend accompany me, even.

 

Definitely take a HIGHLY itemized list specifying it is yours, a letter from his employer stating his return date, his return plane ticket, his lease or rental agreement that is still in effect, insurance, bank statements, etc - all things typing him BACK to canada. And the CR1 package

 

 

Definitely can't drive it. I can barely manage a standard vehicle on a highway, so a truck is a no-go. Good call on getting his employer to state his return specifically, we hadn't thought of that - as well as insurance, bank, etc. We're far enough into the process (will have all documents into CEAC before crossing the border, assuming the site is back up) that we surely wouldn't want to jeopardize his app with any fibbing, hopefully the border officer will see that. Going down ahead of him also is helpful for my reestablishment of domicile, so just really hoping to get over this hump smoothly...

3 minutes ago, Russ&Caro said:

It's not an especially pleasant thought, but you might prepare for the worst in case he is denied. Make sure you can drive the car and trailer yourself or have an American friend join you at some point during the state side journey.

Welp - pretty much my nightmare!

[canadian_wife 1,829]

You might want to post this in the Canada forum.  I am not 100% sure but I do not think a beneficiary's items can move before the beneficiary.  Post in the Canada forum for specific answers.

 

Good luck 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

37 minutes ago, canadian_wife said:

You might want to post this in the Canada forum.  I am not 100% sure but I do not think a beneficiary's items can move before the beneficiary.  Post in the Canada forum for specific answers.

 

Good luck 

She (the petitioner who was living in canada) is moving, not her husband (beneficiary. It is her things, not his. But he is accompanying her to HELP her move her things. 

[canadian_wife 1,829]

2 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

She (the petitioner who was living in canada) is moving, not her husband (beneficiary. It is her things, not his. But he is accompanying her to HELP her move her things. 

 

Will the CBP officer know this?  Or is it plausible that he will just take her word for it?  I don't know, it just seems like a risk to me.

 

Good luck

[centralpork 21]

Definitely feels risky but I don’t feel I have many options, I can’t afford to have my stuff sent down. Trying to mitigate the risk as best as I can. My itemized list includes tentative time of purchase/when it was gifted and descriptive details showing how they’re mine. Any other suggestions to lessen the risk are welcome!

[Ontarkie 14,445]

~~Moved to the Canada forum, from IR1/CR1 P&P - The OP is asking about moving.~~

[centralpork 21]

Update for anyone who’s interested - I’m using Upack to export my goods back to the US (ended up being cheaper than the original quote and not much more expensive than a Uhaul considering the length of our drive). My husband will just fly down to visit for the weekend and help me get settled in, and bring his own goods after he gets his immigration! Hopefully very soon, docs submitted to NVC. 🤞

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Good solution. Hauling a trailer can be rather stressful. Best of luck to you and your husband in settling in the USA.

[centralpork 21]

Thanks so much for your input on this! Your suggestion to prepare for the worst made us realize the cost of being denied, having to turn around and figure out something else would far outweigh the cost of doing it the safe(r) route on the first go. Now I just hope a quick trip with a return ticket, proof of employment and of course his application in hand will be okay. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

15 minutes ago, centralpork said:

Thanks so much for your input on this! Your suggestion to prepare for the worst made us realize the cost of being denied, having to turn around and figure out something else would far outweigh the cost of doing it the safe(r) route on the first go. Now I just hope a quick trip with a return ticket, proof of employment and of course his application in hand will be okay. 

There should not be an issue there at all and I am glad you two are going about it this way. We have seen this quite a few times here on VJ where couples try to start moving things across in anticipation of being approved for a visa and the CBP ends up denying entry to the Canadian spouse. So I think that you guys were prudent about what may happen and adjusted accordingly so good job.👍 

Edited August 3, 2018 by Cyberfx1024