US entry while waiting for the K1 visa possible?

[onesassygirl 0]

my boyfriend and i are looking at the K1 option. he is the american, i am canadian.

we want to start the application process this month, but i've been invited to attend his cousin's wedding this coming june in california. i was wondering, does anyone know whether they will deny me entry while i am waiting for my visa to be processed? normally, being a canadian citizen, i would not need a visa to enter the states if i was entering as a visitor/tourist (and i will technically be entering as a visitor in june since it is not our intent to get married at that time).

would it better to provide customs with some kind of proof that i was going to go back to canada after my visit? i was thinking of bringing along my vacation request signed by my employer.

just wondering if anyone out there has gone through something like this...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

my boyfriend and i are looking at the K1 option. he is the american, i am canadian.

we want to start the application process this month, but i've been invited to attend his cousin's wedding this coming june in california. i was wondering, does anyone know whether they will deny me entry while i am waiting for my visa to be processed? normally, being a canadian citizen, i would not need a visa to enter the states if i was entering as a visitor/tourist (and i will technically be entering as a visitor in june since it is not our intent to get married at that time).

would it better to provide customs with some kind of proof that i was going to go back to canada after my visit? i was thinking of bringing along my vacation request signed by my employer.

just wondering if anyone out there has gone through something like this...

It is possible. But that doesn't mean it is likely to work. Many have had problems trying to enter the US with pending K1 petitions/applications.

[raymaga 25]

I entered the U.S. from Canada by car several times after my K-1 Visa was pending. As long as you have lots of proof that intend to return to Canada after your visit, you should have no problems. Take such things as lease/mortgage documents, a few most recent pay stubs, most recent bank statement, etc.

Just remember not to lie to the Border officers. If they ask the purpose of your trip, tell them you are attending a wedding. If they ask you if you have a K-1 Visa pending, tell them you do and that you intend to return to Canada after your visit until your K-1 has been approved.

I did not enter by plane or train, so I am not sure if that is different or not.

[Peter Miami 0]

ditto

Peter Miami

[mhymers 0]

I am Canadian living in Vancouver, and my fiance lives in LA. I have flown to see him a few times since applying for K-1, and I have never had a problem.

Just be honest, and answer all of their questions. When they ask me the purpose of my visit, and I say to visit my fiance, it always leads to more questions, but no issues.

Make sure that you have your return ticket with you, and a letter from your employer stating the date that you are expected back to work... etc. A vacation slip signed would work too I guess.

Our wedding is going to be near the Canadian border so that my family can be there, so I show then the deposit on the reception hall too to show that we want to be marreid near Vancouver once the VISA is approved.

You should be fine

[onesassygirl 0]

I am Canadian living in Vancouver, and my fiance lives in LA. I have flown to see him a few times since applying for K-1, and I have never had a problem.

Just be honest, and answer all of their questions. When they ask me the purpose of my visit, and I say to visit my fiance, it always leads to more questions, but no issues.

Make sure that you have your return ticket with you, and a letter from your employer stating the date that you are expected back to work... etc. A vacation slip signed would work too I guess.

Our wedding is going to be near the Canadian border so that my family can be there, so I show then the deposit on the reception hall too to show that we want to be marreid near Vancouver once the VISA is approved.

You should be fine

good. that puts me more at ease. thanks guys.

i called US customs and border protection the other day, and the only thing the officer would tell me was that he "would advise against" going down there while waiting for my K1 to be approved.

i guess it depends on the officer you get. some are just really grouchy.

we usually get our plane tickets online, so would just the itinerary be enough? i'm trying to think of other 'documents' i can bring to show proof that i do intend on returning.

[beppyz 0]

I entered the U.S. from Canada by car several times after my K-1 Visa was pending. As long as you have lots of proof that intend to return to Canada after your visit, you should have no problems. Take such things as lease/mortgage documents, a few most recent pay stubs, most recent bank statement, etc.

Just remember not to lie to the Border officers. If they ask the purpose of your trip, tell them you are attending a wedding. If they ask you if you have a K-1 Visa pending, tell them you do and that you intend to return to Canada after your visit until your K-1 has been approved.

I did not enter by plane or train, so I am not sure if that is different or not.

What if the alien fiance's job sends him over and he's not even entering the same state I am in? I mean, if he ahs to come over for work, it's totally unrelated to me and our pending K1? Right? I'm a bit nervous about this one as my fiance is getting hired on with a company that wants to periodically send him to TN and AL ( I live in GA). I would think that since he's going to be traveling with work and will have work stuff, that the K1 wouldn't be affected here. Although, I could be wrong. ANy one have any ideas?

[onesassygirl 0]

What if the alien fiance's job sends him over and he's not even entering the same state I am in? I mean, if he ahs to come over for work, it's totally unrelated to me and our pending K1? Right? I'm a bit nervous about this one as my fiance is getting hired on with a company that wants to periodically send him to TN and AL ( I live in GA). I would think that since he's going to be traveling with work and will have work stuff, that the K1 wouldn't be affected here. Although, I could be wrong. ANy one have any ideas?

I don't think he should have a problem. As long as he can prove he is going there for work purposes... maybe some kind of document signed by his employer, as well as his return ticket like mhymers suggested, and basically anything else that can 'prove' he isn't going there to get married yet.

Another suggestion is to have him call US Customs and Border Protection and see what they say. I am assuming you are from Canada... here is a list of phone numbers:

Montreal (514) 631-2097

Toronto (416) 929-6011

Winnipeg (204) 783-2206

Calgary (403) 221-1730

Edmonton (780) 890-4486

Vancouver (604) 278-3360

(http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/travel_us-en.asp#8)

[mhymers 0]

I am Canadian living in Vancouver, and my fiance lives in LA. I have flown to see him a few times since applying for K-1, and I have never had a problem.

Just be honest, and answer all of their questions. When they ask me the purpose of my visit, and I say to visit my fiance, it always leads to more questions, but no issues.

Make sure that you have your return ticket with you, and a letter from your employer stating the date that you are expected back to work... etc. A vacation slip signed would work too I guess.

Our wedding is going to be near the Canadian border so that my family can be there, so I show then the deposit on the reception hall too to show that we want to be marreid near Vancouver once the VISA is approved.

You should be fine

good. that puts me more at ease. thanks guys.

i called US customs and border protection the other day, and the only thing the officer would tell me was that he "would advise against" going down there while waiting for my K1 to be approved.

i guess it depends on the officer you get. some are just really grouchy.

we usually get our plane tickets online, so would just the itinerary be enough? i'm trying to think of other 'documents' i can bring to show proof that i do intend on returning.

I always use e-mail itinerarys. The work fine.

[pri 0]

i hv travelled 3 times after my petition was sent ,when they asked where i was going i just said to meet friends and my girlfriend, i never said fiancee which would make them chk. and always carried a letter from my employer recent pay stubs and a letter from the bank of my house mortgage. i never had to show.

Good Luck

[beppyz 0]

What if the alien fiance's job sends him over and he's not even entering the same state I am in? I mean, if he ahs to come over for work, it's totally unrelated to me and our pending K1? Right? I'm a bit nervous about this one as my fiance is getting hired on with a company that wants to periodically send him to TN and AL ( I live in GA). I would think that since he's going to be traveling with work and will have work stuff, that the K1 wouldn't be affected here. Although, I could be wrong. ANy one have any ideas?

I don't think he should have a problem. As long as he can prove he is going there for work purposes... maybe some kind of document signed by his employer, as well as his return ticket like mhymers suggested, and basically anything else that can 'prove' he isn't going there to get married yet.

Another suggestion is to have him call US Customs and Border Protection and see what they say. I am assuming you are from Canada... here is a list of phone numbers:

Montreal (514) 631-2097

Toronto (416) 929-6011

Winnipeg (204) 783-2206

Calgary (403) 221-1730

Edmonton (780) 890-4486

Vancouver (604) 278-3360

(http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/travel_us-en.asp#8)

Thanks for the numbers, however, he is from the UK. Hopefully if he has work papers and the return ticket, and the fact that he's not going to be flying into Atlanta, where I am, then they won't give him too hard of a time. I appreciate the advice.

[calidreamer80 0]

I would love to be able to visit the States while the k-1 is issued, I yearn to but since I have been denied entry twice already and had a 12 month ban put on me (for not having sufficient proof i was coming back to canada-i dont work and an e-ticket (return) was not enough to satisfy them) I am staying put. I don't think its worth the risk myself and it just means more lonely days but meh. I'd rather be safe than sorry and not have anymore bans put on me.

[synth19 0]

My fiance has visited me in Chicago at least 7 times while her Visa was pending....she never brought anything, and was never qustioned. I can't prove it, but I'm convinced there is no way for them to know you are K1 pending. But as everyone else said..bring proof JUST IN CASE!

Edited February 4, 2006 by synth19

[calidreamer80 0]

well what proof do you bring if you don't work? i was not allowed across the border because of that. the officer drilled me about why i didnt and told me that i should be working cuz of my age and all that jazz. i dont think its worth it for me to go back across until i have some type of legal authrization, like a visa. i can't see why i should not be allowed across if i dont work. i just wish i knew what kind of proof would help me be able to go see my baby while this thing is in process. i guess its all due to luck cuz some ppl get across and some dont.

[happyimmigrant 0]

well what proof do you bring if you don't work? i was not allowed across the border because of that. the officer drilled me about why i didnt and told me that i should be working cuz of my age and all that jazz. i dont think its worth it for me to go back across until i have some type of legal authrization, like a visa. i can't see why i should not be allowed across if i dont work. i just wish i knew what kind of proof would help me be able to go see my baby while this thing is in process. i guess its all due to luck cuz some ppl get across and some dont.

It is completely subjective, depending entirely on the mood and whims of the border agent you happen to get when you cross. If he's having a good day, he may just wave you through. If he's having a bad day, he'll ban you for 12 months, or worse. Ruining peoples' lives means nothing to them.