Port of Entry from China through Vancouver, BC

[Frank-n-Tina 14]

Has anyone gone through Vancouver, BC as a Port of Entry into the US after receiving the CR1 spouse visa?  The Customs and Border Patrol website says that the Vancouver BC Customs performs all of the duties (including immigration) that would be performed at a US Port of Entry, so I think that means there will be nothing abnormal required when connecting to a flight to the US there.  But ... I am curious if anyone has gone this route and if any special documents were required other than those given to the spouse by the Consulate, medical exam package, passport, and visa.  What was your experience and do you have any advice?

 

Frank

[givionte 138]

It's a common port of entry.  Just don't forget to bring the sealed medical envelope, that is an absolute must, along with the passport, obviously.  I believe for spousal visas they'll generally move your spouse to another line, or take your spouse to a special waiting room where 1 or 2 officers will review the documents, and maybe ask a couple lighthearted questions, like where you are going, and what will you do on your first day in America.

Edited April 24, 2019 by givionte

[NAT2016 18]

It's the same procedure as you will enter at any U.S. port of entry.  However, since it's the first entry for your spouse and more time will be consumed, make sure you have enough time for the connecting flight. 

[Frank-n-Tina 14]

Thanks for the feedback, guys!  I guess this is more nerve-wracking to me than it is to my wife, but I want to make sure there are no mistakes or misunderstandings, so her first entry into the US is a great one.

[Pitaya 2,577]

On 4/25/2019 at 4:44 AM, Frank-n-Tina said:

Thanks for the feedback, guys!  I guess this is more nerve-wracking to me than it is to my wife, but I want to make sure there are no mistakes or misunderstandings, so her first entry into the US is a great one.

I can certainly understand what you mean. I tried to make their entry into the US as easy as possible. We had a few snags, there were quite a few folks doing their POE at the same time and CBP initially couldn't find my families data in their computer, so that we spent ~two hours waiting. When we left the airport, a friend of mine was waiting with his truck to haul their bags to my house. It was a Friday afternoon, we quickly drove from the airport to the Seattle courthouse to obtain the marriage license, we got there with 15 minutes to spare. Whew !! There is a 3-day mandatory wait between obtaining the license and getting married. I had scheduled for us to have the marriage ceremony, with a Seattle municipal court judge, at the same Seattle courthouse 4 days later.... It was worked out fine in the end. Now looking back on that time, it only conjures up fond memories.

 

Best wishes on your ongoing immigration journey.

[Frank-n-Tina 14]

4 hours ago, Pitaya said:

I can certainly understand what you mean. I tried to make their entry into the US as easy as possible. We had a few snags, there were quite a few folks doing their POE at the same time and CBP initially couldn't find my families data in their computer, so that we spent ~two hours waiting. When we left the airport, a friend of mine was waiting with his truck to haul their bags to my house. It was a Friday afternoon, we quickly drove from the airport to the Seattle courthouse to obtain the marriage license, we got there with 15 minutes to spare. Whew !! There is a 3-day mandatory wait between obtaining the license and getting married. I had scheduled for us to have the marriage ceremony, with a Seattle municipal court judge, at the same Seattle courthouse 4 days later.... It was worked out fine in the end. Now looking back on that time, it only conjures up fond memories.

 

Best wishes on your ongoing immigration journey.

Thanks for the encouragement!  It sounds like you had a whirlwind of a few days.  I am sitting at the medical exam in Shanghai with my wife as I write this.  Our Consulate interview is in about 3 weeks, so we are both nervous and excited.  Hope to have her in America by the end of June.

[Pitaya 2,577]

1 hour ago, Frank-n-Tina said:

Thanks for the encouragement!  It sounds like you had a whirlwind of a few days.  I am sitting at the medical exam in Shanghai with my wife as I write this.  Our Consulate interview is in about 3 weeks, so we are both nervous and excited.  Hope to have her in America by the end of June.

It sounds like she will do OK (sending positive vibes). There were quite a few of those whirlwind days initially. It really was a blessing to be able to see America through the eyes of two new immigrants. I don't recall the procedure for obtaining a State ID or driver's license in OR. I would suggest that you do that as soon as you can. That way she doesn't necessarily have to haul around her passport and green card with her at all times. That and the visit to Social Security and getting her a card. I think that those two things really opened up a lot of doors for my family. 

 

You may be able to escape the hot and humid times in Guangzhou. I was there in June 2012 for their consulate interview and the ambient weather was not to our liking, they are from northern China.

 

I hope that your wife is sufficiently confident in her English-speaking skills. I think it is a big plus if the recipient can ask to have the interview in English. One of the main focal points for the consular officials is to try to detect fraud. Get all of your paperwork in order, get a good night's sleep the night before, get a good meal before heading to the interview, and she has to be truthful. 

 

My family was interviewed at the old consulate, so I am not familiar with the spot. Sponsors are not allowed, so find a Starbucks, or a tea shop nearby and try to relax....Sure, that's easy for me to say....

 

Good luck !!!

[RandyW 149]

Plenty of coffee and good food about a block away on Huali Rd.

 

 

Edited April 30, 2019 by RandyW

[Frank-n-Tina 14]

On 4/30/2019 at 11:14 AM, RandyW said:

Plenty of coffee and good food about a block away on Huali Rd.

 

 

Coffee sounds like a good plan.  About how long did it take for the interview at Guangzhou? I’m thinking about two hours from the time I drop her off, if things go well.

[Pitaya 2,577]

On 4/29/2019 at 8:14 PM, RandyW said:

Plenty of coffee and good food about a block away on Huali Rd.

 

 

Very good to know. Perhaps I will get to Guangzhou again. In the early mornings, I certainly liked the park across the street from the old consulate......

[Pitaya 2,577]

On 5/1/2019 at 1:27 AM, Frank-n-Tina said:

Coffee sounds like a good plan.  About how long did it take for the interview at Guangzhou? I’m thinking about two hours from the time I drop her off, if things go well.

Unsure if things have changed much, and if there are any major differences in the spouse vs. fiancee interview processes. My wife's interview only took 10-15 minutes.

 

YMMV

[Frank-n-Tina 14]

2 hours ago, Pitaya said:

Unsure if things have changed much, and if there are any major differences in the spouse vs. fiancee interview processes. My wife's interview only took 10-15 minutes.

 

YMMV

Thanks, Pitaya.  Do you remember what questions she was asked?  My wife is stressing and it would be helpful to show her some real examples to help calm her nerves.

 

Me?  I’m stressing about the documents and making sure that we have everything exactly correct.  

[Pitaya 2,577]

Very general questions, as I recall...very similar to the ones noted in the VJ GUZ consulate review section, good place to get an idea of the questions. I believe that I posted a pretty good review there right after the process back in 2012. That is likely a better reference than my memory from seven years ago. Keep in mind, GUZ is considered a tough consulate because of the high fraud potential. That is what I would focus on, being truthful, concise.

 

I am sure that her knowing that you are there with her, in spirit, and in the vicinity, should be source of strength and resolve for her. Make sure that all of her documents are in order, get a good night's rest the night before, a good meal prior to the interview, and knock 'em dead !!

 

Good luck