K-1 Visa From Canada to USA

[Canadian Elle 12]

I wanted to come on here and share my K-1 Visa moving story in hopes that it can help other couples.

 

With the COVID-19 pandemic growing each day, my fiance and I were extremely concerned with my plans to move to the USA on my K-1 Visa.  My flight was scheduled to leave from Edmonton, AB on March 31st and crossing customs and border in Toronto, ON before flying to Atlanta, GA.  In the days leading up to my departure, I tried calling the border office and the Embassy to see if I would be admitted entry as there was no clear answer if K-1 Visa holders were deemed "essential" travel.  I heard from the Montreal Embassy and they advised that if my Visa expired (it was going to expire April 15, 2020) I would have to go get a new medical exam and attend a new interview in Montreal.  This was not an option.

 

I took my chances and flew to Toronto on March 31st.  The flight was near empty and once I got to Toronto, I was the only person going through international security and customs and border.  The border agent took me into a separate office where a new border agent took my packet that I received from the Embassy.  I sat there for about 10 minutes while he processed my paper work.  The only questions he asked was where I would be living and if I had travelled outside of Canada to any of the high risk coronavirus countries.  He advised that I would need to get married within 90 days of today's date.  Afterwards, he wished my good luck and sent me on my way.

 

I was shocked by how simple this process was!  I was stressing and sweating for days about whether or not I would be granted entry because of the whole COVID-19 mess.  I was never asked about my health condition, nor did the airports take temperatures or anything. 

 

I am safe and sound in North Carolina now and self isolating for 14 days out of precaution.  I wish everyone else good luck with their Visa processes!

 

[27072017CE 0]

I'm so glad this worked out for you! Have any idea if they are allowing K1 visas through Mexican border?

Edited April 3, 2020 by 27072017CE

[Jay&Sid 211]

19 hours ago, Canadian Elle said:

I wanted to come on here and share my K-1 Visa moving story in hopes that it can help other couples.

 

With the COVID-19 pandemic growing each day, my fiance and I were extremely concerned with my plans to move to the USA on my K-1 Visa.  My flight was scheduled to leave from Edmonton, AB on March 31st and crossing customs and border in Toronto, ON before flying to Atlanta, GA.  In the days leading up to my departure, I tried calling the border office and the Embassy to see if I would be admitted entry as there was no clear answer if K-1 Visa holders were deemed "essential" travel.  I heard from the Montreal Embassy and they advised that if my Visa expired (it was going to expire April 15, 2020) I would have to go get a new medical exam and attend a new interview in Montreal.  This was not an option.

 

I took my chances and flew to Toronto on March 31st.  The flight was near empty and once I got to Toronto, I was the only person going through international security and customs and border.  The border agent took me into a separate office where a new border agent took my packet that I received from the Embassy.  I sat there for about 10 minutes while he processed my paper work.  The only questions he asked was where I would be living and if I had travelled outside of Canada to any of the high risk coronavirus countries.  He advised that I would need to get married within 90 days of today's date.  Afterwards, he wished my good luck and sent me on my way.

 

I was shocked by how simple this process was!  I was stressing and sweating for days about whether or not I would be granted entry because of the whole COVID-19 mess.  I was never asked about my health condition, nor did the airports take temperatures or anything. 

 

I am safe and sound in North Carolina now and self isolating for 14 days out of precaution.  I wish everyone else good luck with their Visa processes!

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am also thinking to visit my spouse in US but i have no idea if they allow me to cross border on canadian passport. I guess one have to take risk. 

[AngelaMay 0]

Thank you so much for this update. 

 

I sold my house just before all this pandemic stuff started. I've put in my notice at work a month ago, have three shifts remaining, and I am supposed to move next week. I'm not flying, I'm driving from BC to Washington.

 

I've been a nervous wreck wondering if I'll get turned away.  You've helped me tremendously. Once I try to cross next week I should do as you've done and post about how it went. 

[Alswytha 3]

Thank you for this, I’d like to get to Washington to visit my fiancée while this is going on since I’m also unemployed because of all this.

[AngelaMay 0]

I tried to cross yesterday and did not get thru. I had called two days prior to going and whoever I talked to had said I'd get thru, no problem.  I didn't. And then got raked over the coals by security as I tried to go back into Canada. I was bawling. It was awful. 

[Canadian Elle 12]

13 minutes ago, AngelaMay said:

I tried to cross yesterday and did not get thru. I had called two days prior to going and whoever I talked to had said I'd get thru, no problem.  I didn't. And then got raked over the coals by security as I tried to go back into Canada. I was bawling. It was awful. 

Oh my goodness... I’m so sorry you had to deal with all of that! I wonder why they wouldn’t let you cross over if you had all of your paperwork. It may be because they are getting more strict with all of this COVID-19 stuff. When I crossed, they were just starting to shut things down. 

I hope things will eventually work out for you and your fiancé. Best of luck!!! 

[Kimchi 190]

6 hours ago, AngelaMay said:

I tried to cross yesterday and did not get thru. I had called two days prior to going and whoever I talked to had said I'd get thru, no problem.  I didn't. And then got raked over the coals by security as I tried to go back into Canada. I was bawling. It was awful. 

So you had your K-1 visa and you were moving? Or you were just trying to visit? 

[DGF 730]

9 hours ago, AngelaMay said:

I tried to cross yesterday and did not get thru. I had called two days prior to going and whoever I talked to had said I'd get thru, no problem.  I didn't. And then got raked over the coals by security as I tried to go back into Canada. I was bawling. It was awful. 

I'm sure the last thing you want to do right now is try again, but when you are ready you should try flying instead of driving. Unless the rules have changed with the extension that was announced today, the closure only applies to the land border. 

[AngelaMay 0]

On 4/17/2020 at 2:22 PM, MWhite said:

So you had your K-1 visa and you were moving? Or you were just trying to visit? 

Yes, moving.  No go.  And was told not to attempt again until the border reopens or they'll take my visa away.  I basically had to call and ask to stay at someone's house because I have no where to go. All my stuff is still with the moving company. The most upsetting part is that I was told it would be fine when I called.  It very much wasn't.  Today I got a letter from the Canadian Government telling me I am in mandatory quarantine for two weeks.  I never even got out of my car at the border.  This is a very frustrating experience all around. 

[Kimchi 190]

17 minutes ago, AngelaMay said:

Yes, moving.  No go.  And was told not to attempt again until the border reopens or they'll take my visa away.  I basically had to call and ask to stay at someone's house because I have no where to go. All my stuff is still with the moving company. The most upsetting part is that I was told it would be fine when I called.  It very much wasn't.  Today I got a letter from the Canadian Government telling me I am in mandatory quarantine for two weeks.  I never even got out of my car at the border.  This is a very frustrating experience all around. 

Wow that is really terrible. Hopefully the border reopens in 30 days and you can move. 

[HRQX 4,145]

On 4/6/2020 at 7:49 PM, AngelaMay said:

I'm not flying, I'm driving from BC to Washington.

Flying into the US has been more reliable:

 

[HRQX 4,145]

On 4/2/2020 at 7:33 PM, 27072017CE said:

if they are allowing K1 visas through Mexican border?

Not by land. But you can enter by flying: