Just Filed I-129f - Canadian Visit?

[ScooterJones 21]

Hi all, 

 

My first post here after lurking for a bit! I filed the i-129f for my Canadian fiance about a week ago. She lives with family in Canada and doesn't have a ton of expenses and has a part time job.

 

Essentially, money is not an issue for me and I'd like her to visit America for an extended period because we really love each other and don't like being apart during the process. We have zero intention of getting married outside of the USCIS time line or diverting from the i-129f process.

 

My fiance does have a 14 day trip scheduled with pay stubs, proof of employment, etc so I do not forsee any issues there (although possible).

 

My question - If we scheduled, for example, a 60 day trip for her... Does that sound like a stupid idea? Pretty high risk of getting rejected at airport of entry or do you think it would be fine? Again... we would 100% not get married or do anything stupid but I don't know how to prove that... Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[Ate 180]

5 hours ago, ScooterJones said:

My question - If we scheduled, for example, a 60 day trip for her... Does that sound like a stupid idea? Pretty high risk of getting rejected at airport of entry or do you think it would be fine? Again... we would 100% not get married or do anything stupid but I don't know how to prove that... Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

Your fiancee should prepare to answer the following questions that could be asked by immigration officials --

• Who are you visiting in the US?
• Why are you staying for so long?  (I was asked this exact question at the airport, even though my trip was scheduled for only 31 days!)
• What sort of job lets you have 60 days off?

 

I recommend your fiancee carry a copy of the NOA1 letter.  Present it in case the CBP officer suspects her of intending to stay and adjust status.  The letter could help to convince them that she intends to go through the right process for immigration.  Still not a guarantee that they'll allow her to enter.

 

Also, I suggest checking out the "Yes, you can visit!" pinned thread if you haven't already done so.

 

[ScooterJones 21]

1 minute ago, Ate said:

 

Your fiancee should prepare to answer the following questions that could be asked by immigration officials --

• Who are you visiting in the US?
• Why are you staying for so long?  (I was asked this exact question at the airport, even though my trip was scheduled for only 31 days!)
• What sort of job lets you have 60 days off?

 

I recommend your fiancee carry a copy of the NOA1 letter.  Present it in case the CBP officer suspects her of intending to stay and adjust status.  The letter could help to convince them that she intends to go through the right process for immigration.  Still not a guarantee that they'll allow her to enter.

 

Also, I suggest checking out the "Yes, you can visit!" pinned thread if you haven't already done so.

 

Thanks Ate! I didn't think about the copy of the NOA1 letter so I'll definitely do that! I've checked the pinned thread but I figured the 60 day flight would be a red flag for CBP. 

 

We extended a previous trip last year and just bought my fiance a one way trip back home to stay longer - that could be an option here as well. Canadians are allowed to stay up to 6 months per year so it's really illogical for us to circumvent the K1 process (especially when the whole process doesn't take *tooo* much longer than that and it is already in motion). 

 

If my fiance ended up staying 5 months on a 14-day scheduled trip and just did a 1 way flight back when we got our NOA2, then I don't see an issue with that unless I am not thinking about something. Just wanted to get a second opinion there... Only issue is telling the CBP officer the trip is scheduled for 14 days with the intention is staying longer (but zero intention of overstaying). Lol

[JP John 65]

During our K1 process I visited many many times and some for 60 days and never had a problem.  Just said visiting my gf or fiancé and the only question was do you have checked bags?  Never checked a bag and never had a problem.

[ScooterJones 21]

2 minutes ago, JP John said:

During our K1 process I visited many many times and some for 60 days and never had a problem.  Just said visiting my gf or fiancé and the only question was do you have checked bags?  Never checked a bag and never had a problem.

Awesome, thanks for the info! So your flight was actually booked for 60 days or did you do a one way ticket back?

[JP John 65]

They never checked my tickets. Sometimes they would ask how long are you going to be there?  One of the last times I didn’t even have a ticket home booked as I was awaiting my interview date to be set up. He just asked when are you coming back and i gave him a date 

[ScooterJones 21]

Just now, JP John said:

They never checked my tickets. Sometimes they would ask how long are you going to be there?  One of the last times I didn’t even have a ticket home booked as I was awaiting my interview date to be set up. He just asked when are you coming back and i gave him a date 

Good to know - thank you! I seemed to get asked more questions than that when I visit Canada. Lol! Hopefully we have the same experience next time.

[ADW & JOP 146]

I have travelled on a number of times since we filed.

 

Since December, I have flown from Toronto Pearson Airport for a two-week trip and 2 other one-week trips. I cross with a Nexus card, which has made it easier. The most I've ever been asked is how long I plan to stay and the purpose of visit. I always bring a copy of my ties to Canada but have not had to show them so far.

 

I haven't travelled for such a long period of time, although, I've been in and out of the country since July 2018 without feeling any resistance nor any specific request to produce ties to Canada.

Edited March 14, 2019 by ADW & JOP

[Ontarkie 14,218]

~~Moved to the Canada Forum, from K1 P&P - As the OP's question is about visiting and not K1 Visa processing~~

[NikLR 13,227]

It's possible to get a denied entry on a long trip and you should never lie to CBP. If the intent is to stay a certain period of time then you need to announce that when questioned.  Anything else is lying.