Visiting the US while Visa pending

[MandE 0]

Hello,

I know there is a lot of advice on here that says it is not worth travelling to the US while applying for a Visa. But, there also seems to be a lot of people who do it frequently, and without trouble.

My Visa application has been submitted, and I am now in the stages of waiting for an interview (up to 6 month wait).

Does anyone have any experience going through the Windsor/Detroit border while their visa is being processed?

Does anyone have any tips on what I should do to prove that I intend to return to Canada?

Realistically, what would happen to my visa if I was denied entry? I assume that since my Visa has been processed, I would simply discuss the details of any denials during my interview. I would think that a denial based on my pending visa would not be cause to deny my visa.

Any thoughts?

I certainly wouldn't consider going, though the circumstances at this time warrent it.

Thanks!!

[Cassie 8]

People have done it all the time. Most get through with no troubles, some are denied entry. Be prepared with evidence that you still have strong ties to Canada (if you do a search of the Canada forum, this topic comes up lots and there are lots of suggestions for various forms of evidence). AS far as denied entries affecting your potential visa is concerned, people have reported not having troubles with it -- just say that it happened, and you probably would get asked about it during the interview, and just explain what happened.

Just be prepared, and you should be ok.

[marybill07 0]

We made it through Detroit/Windsor without any problems UP UNTIL the last week before my fiance's interview at the Consulate. But for the most part, I wouldnt worry because we've crossed back and forth saying we were "dating" or boyfriend/girlfriend while we were going through the k1 process.

Good luck.

I forgot to add that she was denied entry in the US before our interview and she still got her visa. They asked whether she was denied entry, told them just last week and still got approved. So theres always hope even if you get denied.

[MandE 0]

Thank you both.

Mary, did the topic of your denial come up during your interview? Was it a problem?

Ah, thanks Bill for the additional info!

[MissStacey 1]

I was denied twice to the US while we had our application in.

I answered yes have been denied entry on one of the forms I had to fill out- he asked at the interview- I told him I was denied twice because of lack of ties. He just rolled his eyes and giggled and said it happens often. It was no big deal and I got my Visa.

[misa 2]

Lots of people travel back and forth especially from Canada. I never had any problems but there's never any guarantee and the final decision is always up to the CBP officer. I always brought proof of ties to Canada with me and my entire immigration file.

See this thread for ideas on what to bring.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58108

It would be nice if we could get that thread pinned.

Edited August 31, 2007 by misa

[MandE 0]

Oh, this all makes me feel much better. Since March, when we started this process, I have been paranoid about traveling, so I just haven't. I was sure that if I tried, and they denied me, that my visa would get denied too.

Anybody have any experiences about traveling through the Windsor/Detroit poe by car?

[LadyJane 1]

My husband travels via the Detroit/Windsor POE, and always brings copies of his rental agreement, statement from his work, and copies of our visa paperwork. So far, no problems. He's always said that he's visiting me-his wife and that we are in the visa application process. The tunnel folks are very friendly. Sometimes they'll ask if you are intending to declare Michigan your permanent residence today and he's says 'no'. Always be honest and don't answer more than what they ask.

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

I go back and forth every weekend via windsor/detroit to visit my husband while we're patiently waiting. I always bring my pay stubs, income tax assessment and the few bills that I have. I don't have a rental agreement or mortgage papers. I never have a problem. I always say I'm visiting my husband if asked and prior to us being married I would say I was visiting my fiance. Now that we're in the waiting game I carry a complete copy of the I130 with me just in case. At windsor/detroit I think they are very used to couples who are half here and half there.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I did it every month, never had a problem!! Lots of good advice from above posters!

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I did it every month, never had a problem!! Lots of good advice from above posters!

I agree, but it can be a scary experience. Most of us don't get fingerprinted and photographed too often. It might be a small point but unless you have been banned then there is no issue about refusal of entry. At the interview, unless you have been banned, they won't really care too much. Remember that you weren't refused entry, you were "allowed" to withdraw your application to enter the US. I've been denied entry (sorry, I was allowed to withdraw my application to enter the United States of America) at one port and been allowed in at another three hours later with the same documentation.

BTW, the information that USCIS collects goes into storage and as near as I can figure, not even USCIS looks at it, if they did, then you wouldn't need to be fingerprinted and photgraphed every time.

Do you think that you might be planning on staying in the US if you're at an immigration interview at the US consulate, I wonder.

[MandE 0]

I agree, but it can be a scary experience. Most of us don't get fingerprinted and photographed too often. It might be a small point but unless you have been banned then there is no issue about refusal of entry. At the interview, unless you have been banned, they won't really care too much. Remember that you weren't refused entry, you were "allowed" to withdraw your application to enter the US. I've been denied entry (sorry, I was allowed to withdraw my application to enter the United States of America) at one port and been allowed in at another three hours later with the same documentation.

BTW, the information that USCIS collects goes into storage and as near as I can figure, not even USCIS looks at it, if they did, then you wouldn't need to be fingerprinted and photgraphed every time.

Do you think that you might be planning on staying in the US if you're at an immigration interview at the US consulate, I wonder.

No, my plan is to visit for my vacation. I am not having an interview in the States.

[samaci 0]

Im my experiences, and like the others said, I bring recent pay stubs, my latest phone bills, and my folder with all my copies of my immigration stuff. This was recommended to me, by a customs officer. They just want proof that you aren't going down to the US to stay, and are coming back. I go down 2-3 times a month, never had a problem, , and actually, never had to show any proof that I have ties in Canada. I also tell them that I'm going to visit my husband. I go through a border in BC.

[lincoln81 0]

Im my experiences, and like the others said, I bring recent pay stubs, my latest phone bills, and my folder with all my copies of my immigration stuff. This was recommended to me, by a customs officer. They just want proof that you aren't going down to the US to stay, and are coming back. I go down 2-3 times a month, never had a problem, , and actually, never had to show any proof that I have ties in Canada. I also tell them that I'm going to visit my husband. I go through a border in BC.

In two weeks I'm driving to the US to visit a friend, not my husband. Do I have to tell the border that I have an immigration visa pending?

[misa 2]

In two weeks I'm driving to the US to visit a friend, not my husband. Do I have to tell the border that I have an immigration visa pending?

Not unless they ask you. Only answer the questions you are asked, short and to the point.