Canada/US border is about to close. Are we considered essential travel?

[90DayFinancier 910]

4 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

I’m not sure visiting family is considered “essential” travel.. I’d look more into it if someone plans on going to Canada to see family. Would hate to spend time and money just to be turned around..

If your loved one needs care (ie elder parents), that should be considered essential.  

[cherrypeanut 8]

5 hours ago, bpg123 said:

Nope. And you won’t find one. I looked at a ton of sites and the ban is very clear for “Tourism and recreation” and moving to the USA on a K1 is clearly neither of those. 
 

CNN had on a posting late last night that they made it vague to allow flexibility to border officials. Do it at your own risk but if you are expecting a clear lines they won’t happen. They are trying to deter as many people as possible so clear lines make that too easy. Do what you will but I would feel very confident crossing the border with a K1 which I intend to do next week.

Please do keep us posted on how the border crossing goes for you! Good luck!

[Giovanna024 442]

4 hours ago, Kartineecartoons said:

From where?

Toronto

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

12 hours ago, 90DayFinancier said:

If your loved one needs care (ie elder parents), that should be considered essential.  

Caring for a family member is much different than visiting. One can mean life or death.

[cherrypeanut 8]

Here is some new info I found:

 

I am assuming that "valid travel documents" include the K1 visa.

 

Now the problem with entering with a K1 at this point is that most courthouses are closed so it will be a gamble in waiting for those to re-open before your 90 days expires.

[Googoobuggy 4]

Quote

 

It looks grim; however, the "But not limited to-" addition gives me some amount of hope. If students are able to be considered, one would hope K1 visa holders will also be.

[S&A47 64]

I crossed the border at Peace Arch Border Crossing. (my husband is a US Citizen) 
 

There was one regular  and one nexus lane open. The border agent asked the basic where I was going, for how long, what I do for work and the last time I was in the US. She also looked at my immigration papers as we are awaiting our interview in Montreal (CR1)

 

 I also had to pop my trunk. There was about 4 officers around my car. A bit nerve-racking but, I’m thankful I crossed. 

[Forrest Fire 62]

Morning! 

 

I live in Ontario and plan to drive across and move to Wisconsin on Thursday March 26th. Unfortunately I wasn't ready to leave before the ban took effect. I'm going to see if I can get a clear answer from the border when I call on Monday morning but I'm going to have to at least try to cross. I have to move out of my apartment by the end of the month so I have nothing more to lose. 

 

If anyone else either tries crossing or calls and gets an answer on how K1's will be handled, please let us all know!

 

Cheers! 

[Cristina Souto 5]

I got here (Texas) on the 18th. Was really nervous because they changed my flight but we still managed to come andddd the immigration was so smooth and fast and he didn’t ask for my k1 package. Thought it was crazy but yeah I’m here. If you really want to come to America should come already. Everyday things are changing. 

[kcn 0]

Hi, 

I am also in the same situation. My fiancé visa will expire the end of next month April 30 and I also already put in notice for work. 

I found this fact sheet on US Embassy and Consulate of Canada

https://ca.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/

this is what it say 

The following categories do not fall within the definition of “essential travel:”

• Individuals traveling for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events in the United States.

And this 

 

 

Q:  What will this mean for airline travel and other travel across the border?

A:  This action does not apply to air, rail, or sea travel at this time, but does apply to commuter rail and ferry travel.
 

Does that mean that we K1 visa holders can still cross the border to US? 
I am planning to fly to US this week. If anyone have any other info please let us know or if you were successfully entering US please let us know! 
 

I am freaking out because I don’t want my visa expire! 
 

Thank you so much!  

[bpg123 12]

3 minutes ago, kcn said:

Hi, 

I am also in the same situation. My fiancé visa will expire the end of next month April 30 and I also already put in notice for work. 

I found this fact sheet on US Embassy and Consulate of Canada

https://ca.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/

this is what it say 

The following categories do not fall within the definition of “essential travel:”

• Individuals traveling for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events in the United States.

And this 

 

 

Q:  What will this mean for airline travel and other travel across the border?

A:  This action does not apply to air, rail, or sea travel at this time, but does apply to commuter rail and ferry travel.
 

Does that mean that we K1 visa holders can still cross the border to US? 
I am planning to fly to US this week. If anyone have any other info please let us know or if you were successfully entering US please let us know! 
 

I am freaking out because I don’t want my visa expire! 
 

Thank you so much!  

As others have mentioned, we don't know. They specifically made it vague to limit people crossing. They listed a few people as essential, a few as non-essential and left the rest as grey area. I believe we will be allowed across as we are migrating and coming from a country with much less cases. 

 

Despite the closure being announced on Wednesday the 18th, the closure did not come into effect until midnight on Friday the 20th so unless someone crossed on the Saturday the 21st, their situation will be different from yours. 

 

IMHO, I would show up looking healthy, be respectful and have a few reasons why you leaving now is necessary. 

 

That said, I will be flying out of YVR on tuesday on my K1 visa so I will update with my experience. 

[N400NYC 380]

13 hours ago, kcn said:

I found this fact sheet on US Embassy and Consulate of Canada

https://ca.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/

 

Thanks, this was useful. Seems it only applies to land border crossings.

 

But I'm still confused - so tourists from Mexico and Canada can still FLY into the USA but can't cross the land borders (e.g. by car)?

[legendqueue 163]

On 3/22/2020 at 12:10 AM, S&A47 said:

I crossed the border at Peace Arch Border Crossing. (my husband is a US Citizen) 
 

There was one regular  and one nexus lane open. The border agent asked the basic where I was going, for how long, what I do for work and the last time I was in the US. She also looked at my immigration papers as we are awaiting our interview in Montreal (CR1)

 

 I also had to pop my trunk. There was about 4 officers around my car. A bit nerve-racking but, I’m thankful I crossed. 

When did you cross?  Thank you for reminding me to print out any papers I have regarding my case status (we're still waiting for an interview date).  I have my "where I work" docs and "I live in Canada, here's proof" docs as well as our marriage certificate.

[Kimchi 190]

19 hours ago, N400NYC said:

Thanks, this was useful. Seems it only applies to land border crossings.

 

But I'm still confused - so tourists from Mexico and Canada can still FLY into the USA but can't cross the land borders (e.g. by car)?

There  might not be any flights soon.

[bpg123 12]

On 3/21/2020 at 9:23 AM, cherrypeanut said:

Here is some new info I found:

 

I am assuming that "valid travel documents" include the K1 visa.

 

Now the problem with entering with a K1 at this point is that most courthouses are closed so it will be a gamble in waiting for those to re-open before your 90 days expires.

I just crossed at 4pm March 23rd at YVR and was in and out. Airports are dead and they are only accepting Canadians with visas so K1 at the moment are okay. 
 

that said, as the last poster said, flights are dropping fast. I was suppose to fly out tomorrow but American and delta did a massive cut of flights so took the next flight out.

 

you are good to cross but I would leave as soon as possible.