Flying to the US from Toronto

[pooj97 89]

My fiancé is flying into the US through Toronto Pearson and I am terrified he will get turned away. We’ve applied for the K1 and havent seen each other in six months but I’ve heard stories of Canadians getting turned away because of non essential travel reasons at the airport even though they’re flying. He’s bringing plenty of proof of ties to Canada including his phone bill, credit card statements, car insurance and loan forms, And return ticket but since he’s self employed and living with his parents I’m more scared he’ll get turned away since he won’t have an employer letter. Can someone reassure me that non essential flying is still allowed from Canada to the US?

[carmel34 3,637]

US CBP has pre-clearance in Toronto, so he'll find out when he goes through that before boarding the flight to the US, if he is let in or not.  All such decisions are at the discretion of the CBP officers.  There is no ban on flying from Canada to the US to visit, many of my family have done so in the last few weeks, with no problems.  The biggest challenge he will face is the active K-1 process, with a love interest in the US, and that is evidence of immigrant intent, with a risk that he could try to stay in the US and adjust status, which is illegal.  He'll also have to self-quarantine for two weeks when he returns to Canada, for many that is not practical if they have to return to work, so consider that as well.  My best advice is to be completely honest when questioned by CBP, state that the purpose is a short visit (a week or two) to see you, then to return to Canada to wait out the K-1 process.  Chances are they won't even ask for the documents you mentioned to show strong ties to Canada, but it is a good idea to take them just in case he gets taken to secondary for more questions or possibly a search of his luggage and phone.  Being self-employed with no home or lease of his own he could potentially work in the US illegally and just stay.  He should for sure not take documents with him like a birth certificate or tons of luggage as that would be a red flag that he might be planning to stay.  Hopefully he'll sail through with no problems.  Good luck!  

Edited August 30, 2020 by carmel34

[Ptitchou 117]

He's probably fine. Just have that return ticket handy. Purpose of visit: "visiting my fiancée (or even partner) for x weeks". They like a solid number, especially when it's not for a long time. 

I wouldn't mention the K-1 until asked. Don't have him bring more than one checked bag of luggage. They'll ask how much you have. 

I flew down a month ago out of YYZ and it was pretty straightforward. "Visiting my husband for 3 weeks, return flight for X date" 

Asked how much luggage I had (1 checked bag), what I do for a living, and when I last was in the US and for how long (Xmas, 2 weeks). Waved me through without any questions about immigration.

[a.miel 5]

I can't speak for Toronto but I did fly to the US on July 31 through Montreal while my K1 is in process (waiting for NOA2). CBP pulled me aside and wait to ask me extra questions.  My flight was taking off at 1:30pm with boarding at 12:50pm. The officer asked me a ton of questions (along with the usual) like:

• purpose of my trip
• what my parents do for living
• my bf's employment information
• if my bf is a US citizen
• my bf's full name
• proof of my return flight
• my employment status
• how I can afford this trip
• if I will marry my s/o
• how long we have been together
• when we started dating
• how we met

It was pretty scary for me because I was so afraid I'd be turned away. By the time i was done, it was 1:20pm. Barely enough time to make it to my gate which was thankfully right outside the questioning area. Good luck!

[pooj97 89]

2 minutes ago, Amiezing said:

I can't speak for Toronto but I did fly to the US on July 31 through Montreal while my K1 is in process (waiting for NOA2). CBP pulled me aside and wait to ask me extra questions.  My flight was taking off at 1:30pm with boarding at 12:50pm. The officer asked me a ton of questions (along with the usual) like:

• purpose of my trip
• what my parents do for living
• my bf's employment information
• if my bf is a US citizen
• my bf's full name
• proof of my return flight
• my employment status
• how I can afford this trip
• if I will marry my s/o
• how long we have been together
• when we started dating
• how we met

It was pretty scary for me because I was so afraid I'd be turned away. By the time i was done, it was 1:20pm. Barely enough time to make it to my gate which was thankfully right outside the questioning area. Good luck!

Yeah that’s scary 😕 hope it doesn’t happen to my fiancé. Do you know why they pulled you aside? Were you pulled into the secondary questioning room?

[a.miel 5]

2 hours ago, pooj97 said:

Yeah that’s scary 😕 hope it doesn’t happen to my fiancé. Do you know why they pulled you aside? Were you pulled into the secondary questioning room?

Honestly, I'm not sure. When I went up to the booth where you normally go, the officer asked me how much money I brought and the purpose of my visit. After looking through my passport, he told me to wait in an area to be questioned further. 

[pooj97 89]

10 hours ago, Amiezing said:

Honestly, I'm not sure. When I went up to the booth where you normally go, the officer asked me how much money I brought and the purpose of my visit. After looking through my passport, he told me to wait in an area to be questioned further. 

 Okay thanks, I literally haven’t been sleeping for the past couple of nights because I don’t want him to get denied. We haven’t seen each other in six months and I just want to see him. I’m so so nervous  How long did you stay for?

Edited August 31, 2020 by pooj97

[Ptitchou 117]

13 hours ago, Amiezing said:

Honestly, I'm not sure. When I went up to the booth where you normally go, the officer asked me how much money I brought and the purpose of my visit. After looking through my passport, he told me to wait in an area to be questioned further. 

Interesting. What's the longest amount of time you've stayed in the US?

[a.miel 5]

On 8/31/2020 at 9:26 AM, Ptitchou said:

Interesting. What's the longest amount of time you've stayed in the US?

About just over a month. This was last winter from the end of Nov 2019 to beginning of Jan 2020.

On 8/31/2020 at 6:19 AM, pooj97 said:

 Okay thanks, I literally haven’t been sleeping for the past couple of nights because I don’t want him to get denied. We haven’t seen each other in six months and I just want to see him. I’m so so nervous  How long did you stay for?

I only stayed for 19 days.

[NikLR 13,227]

Never had an issue with a US husband with 10 day or less stays and active employment. 

[pooj97 89]

Wanted to follow up on this post as the OP - my fiance had no issues getting in and is currently with me  

 

The CBP officer asked him a total of 3 questions: 

1) what's the purpose of your visit?

2) when are you returning?

3) when did your J1 visa expire?

 

Didn't even ask about his proof.