Entering the U.S. after NOA2...

[Melyssa 0]

I am planning on entering the States two times before I finally have my visa in my hands. We have our NOA2 so I am a little more concerned about this time than I was when I entered the U.S. before we had our NOA2 (but after we filed) since they obviously have my passport number now (required to fill in on some of those Packet 3 forms!)

First time entering the U.S., I am planning on driving with my fiancé (he is coming to visit and then I am going back with him.) I got him to get me a bus ticket (with a date on it) back to Canada so I could show the border entry officers a ticket that proves I will go home - though it DOES also have a return ticket to the States since I am planning on going back...

Unfortunately, I don't have a job lined up for after I am back either time so letters and notes from employers won't work.

For the first time I'm planning on entering (driving with him,) I DO have an in person exam scheduled with a local college after I return to Canada, so maybe I can find proof of my exam date... I actually do have an email from one of the administrators at the school notifying me that she scheduled it, so I guess I should print that off...

Will I be okay crossing the border or is there anything else I should definitely have?

(Oh, and I know the: "Don't pack too much stuff, looking like you're planning on moving..." Thankfully my fiancé and I are both extremely light packers and we probably won't have too much in his car ;-))

Edited May 23, 2007 by melytha

[Flames9_RN 358]

I traveleld every month to DC, up to a few weeks prior to my interview and never had a problem. Any evidence you can bring can only benefit ur case. Just be honest (never lie), but do not blab away, and look them in the eye when speaking. be confident in ur responses. Best of luck

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

I go back and forth all the time with my USC fiance in his vehicle. I always have with me my most recent income tax assessment and I usually carry the most recent bills I have. If you have a lease or mortgage bring a copy of that with you too just incase. I have the employment thing down, which doesn't apply to you obviously, but the lease/mortgage (deed whatever) I don't since I'm stuck living with my parents. Waiting for immigration stuff is bad enough..... try doing it living with your parents

Just from my experience, though could be different since I'm over there every weekend, they sometimes ask how we know each other, they sometimes give the 'mini lecture' about trying to live there illegally, they sometimes ask what proof I have of my residency here in Canada (so I pull out a wad of papers and list them off, driver's licence, health card, pay stub, income tax, visa bill, cell bill, etc) and no one has asked to see them and they always ask how long I'm staying so the bus ticket is a good idea. I have also been asked for my green card on the rare occaision as I think they just assumed since I'm in the truck with him I'm already an alien. Anyways just my thoughts

[misa 2]

Bring your entire case file as well including everything you got in Packet 3 which shows your in line for an interview back in Canada. I visited every 3 weeks and my last visit was 3 weeks before my interview date.

[Melyssa 0]

Bring your entire case file as well including everything you got in Packet 3 which shows your in line for an interview back in Canada. I visited every 3 weeks and my last visit was 3 weeks before my interview date.

Thanks misa, I wouldn't have thought to bring that!

[Melyssa 0]

I go back and forth all the time with my USC fiance in his vehicle. I always have with me my most recent income tax assessment and I usually carry the most recent bills I have. If you have a lease or mortgage bring a copy of that with you too just incase. I have the employment thing down, which doesn't apply to you obviously, but the lease/mortgage (deed whatever) I don't since I'm stuck living with my parents. Waiting for immigration stuff is bad enough..... try doing it living with your parents

I live with my parents also and thankfully don't have the same complaint... my family is very understanding and supportive!

Just from my experience, though could be different since I'm over there every weekend, they sometimes ask how we know each other, they sometimes give the 'mini lecture' about trying to live there illegally, they sometimes ask what proof I have of my residency here in Canada (so I pull out a wad of papers and list them off, driver's licence, health card, pay stub, income tax, visa bill, cell bill, etc) and no one has asked to see them and they always ask how long I'm staying so the bus ticket is a good idea. I have also been asked for my green card on the rare occaision as I think they just assumed since I'm in the truck with him I'm already an alien. Anyways just my thoughts

Thanks for all the info!

I traveleld every month to DC, up to a few weeks prior to my interview and never had a problem. Any evidence you can bring can only benefit ur case. Just be honest (never lie), but do not blab away, and look them in the eye when speaking. be confident in ur responses. Best of luck

Yay, I'm a pretty quiet person, so refraining from blabbing away is something I'm good at. ;-)

[piosenka 0]

My fiance just visited 2 weeks ago, and we got our NOA2 in March. They didn't give him any trouble, but just asked him a couple times when he plans on getting married, to assure he wasn't planning on marrying this last trip. I wish!

He brought a letter from his employer, but they never asked for any proof. They knew he had a return ticket and apparently that was enough.

[Allie 5]

I made 3 trips to WA after we were issued the NOA2 The last one was from Feb 32 to May 12

There were no problems on any of the POE just the usual questions

I made 3 trips to WA after we were issued the NOA2 The last one was from Feb 32 to May 12

There were no problems on any of the POE just the usual questions

Feb 23. lol lol

[LadyJane 1]

I would agree with all of the previous postings. It's OK to visit the US, but bring lots of documentation and always be honest. And, remember they can turn you away. We are on the CR-1/IR-1 route and now my husband always carries our I-130 paperwork, a bunch of recent bills, letters from his employer, his lease etc when he visits. It helps he is on a motorcycle and it's obvious that he's not moving down here.

If you are spouses, then I would also recommend that you bring a bit of documentation when the USC is crossing into Canada. It may seem that YOU are the one with immigration intent if you say that you are visiting your spouse in Canada. Hey,it can't hurt to carry your USCIS NOA's! If they do ask, having those forms will be very handy to show the Canadian border folks that you do not intend to immigrate to Canada.

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

I live with my parents also and thankfully don't have the same complaint... my family is very understanding and supportive!

Oh mine are understanding they just drive me nuts LOL mostly because my fiance lives only a half hour from me (including clearing customs) and I'd rather be lounging around there instead of here in a house full of people When it comes to having patience I'm short on it for some things.... at least that's what he tells me LOL

[Melyssa 0]

Not really worth another post on this topic since this question has been asked so many times... lol

Anyway, we entered the U.S. just fine and the POE officer didn't even bother asking for a return ticket... well, anyways, now we have another plan... I am returning to the U.S. in two weeks and am planning on returning to Canada a few weeks later. I was originally going to get a ticket home but turns out my fiance may be coming to visit again, so it looks like I'll just be riding with him instead.

But this time I'm nervous b/c if we do this, I won't have a return ticket and I'll be entering the U.S. by bus. I usually go by bus and 9 times out of 10 they ask me for my return ticket but this time I won't have one.

So anyways I'm curious what your experiences have been because I am sure people have done this several times successfully... that is, enter the U.S. on a plane/bus ticket, planning to return to Canada with someone from the States, therefore lacking a return ticket...

Edited June 10, 2007 by melytha

[L_n_O 3]

I went to my school registrar's office and asked them for a letter saying that I was enrolled in school and when my semester starts and ends..

took 10 mins and it's official with the school's seal

[thermophile 0]

my husband flew down just before Christmas and then we drove back to Canada after the new year. We were worried about the same thing but he had no problem. of course he never does, I get kind of pissed about it because I had 30min+ "conversations" with immigration every time I crossed the border before I got my Canadian PR. It seems that women get a lot more flack from either US or Canadian immigration, we're silly little things that would quit a job much quicker than our boys.

sorry about the rant, yes it's possible to do and I would just suggest constant repeating of the fact that you are in the immigration process, why would you do that if you were trying to sneak in illeagally?