Should I stay or should I go...

[Sprailenes 47]

I actually came down here in July 2 months before my interview. The people at the consulate knew I was staying with my fiance...I just couldn't bring all my stuff which kind of sucked. Had I been denied or something happened, I probably would have been REALLY screwed.

I basically counted my chickens before the hatched and came out lucky. But I wouldn't suggest going down there this early in the game.

I was basically coming down for a 3 week vacation, but had a falling out with my mother and wasn't allowed back at her place. So I was going back and forth, moving my stuff into storage and coming back. It was probably the shittiest 2 months of my life. I had no idea what was going on, it was stressful. Yadda yadda.

Edited September 20, 2007 by Sprailenes

[Canadiangirly 0]

Thank you all.

I love that everyone has so much insight, and as I said... I just started reading and was very unclear about the process....

Also, when I look back at some of the things people replied... I realize that I may have not worded my original post very well.

*******Okay - that being said.... the rest of this is me defending myself... lol ***********

I do not intent to break the law... I honestly did not know it was such a huge thing - call me niave - or be mad at that statement - but I really didn't consider it.

I didn't know about the ties to Canada thing.

My thought was, If I have the money to travel, and 'visit' the states for awhile, then why not be with the man I love.

I did not mention in the orginal post, that I would stay with my Mother. I would have an address with her, and could get a receipt for rent.

The housing prices here are insane right now.... So the thought of selling my house has been there for awhile... it just seems more real now.

I wasn't planning to start moving everything down there, only taking the clothes I would need, and leaving the rest here in storage, with my furniture. I don't even think I said how long I would stay... only that I was aware the maximum amount of time you can visit at once, is for 6 months.

Again - with the job thing... I did not realize that having a job to tie me to Canada was such a big deal. I mean I really really really didn't think about it very much, but I see where everyone is coming from.

[trailmix 77]

*******Okay - that being said.... the rest of this is me defending myself... lol ***********

I do not intent to break the law... I honestly did not know it was such a huge thing - call me niave - or be mad at that statement - but I really didn't consider it.

You border crossing criminal!! (kidding!!)

Anyway CG - the official word is:

Entry to the U.S. while Petition is Pending

After filing the petition, your relative normally would not be admissible to the U.S.; however the CBP inspector at the port-of-entry has the final say. To be eligible to enter your relative must assure the inspector that the visit is temporary and that she or he will depart the U.S. after the proposed visit and wait out the processing period for the immigrant visa in Canada or a third country.

And the above is true - they may let you in, they may not let you in, all you can do is have all your ducks in a row and hope for the best at the border.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck!

[bradcanuck 1]

For the record, I don't think anyone was thinking you WANTED to break the law.

I am in the same boat as you. I visited my fiancee and I ended up just... well staying. We got married 3 months after I came down and we are adjusting status in the USA.

What I did is what lawyers say NOT to do in every situation because USCIS doesn't like it when visitors marry and stay. I narrowly made it into the country, and had to give officers a VERY detailed log of why I was coming down. I was going on a cruise with my wife (at the time fiancee)'s family in Mexico. So I had to give dates, times, ports etc. I was allowed back in and then just didn't leave and started shipping my stuff down.

I can't work, I can't play, I can NOT leave the country. Don't do what I did. I may be with my wife, but I think she is tired of supporting my cheese-head a**. LOLL

Edited September 20, 2007 by bradcanuck