Long (5 or 6 mos) visit during application process - what do you think?

[Melyssa 0]

I got stamped maybe 2-3 times and it was always at the airport. Never when I crossed by land (several times.) And is it really an official B-2? I've wondered about that. Oh yeah, and one time, the airport customs guy stamped my boarding pass, not my passport. I've wondered about that too. lol

[Flames9_RN 358]

They rarely stamped my passport!!

[bakofoil 27]

The more I think about this, the more I am leaning towards the K1 - We can apply for it right this second, which would cut our time down considerably, because the soonest I can see that we could get married and applying for K3 would be 2 months from now. So we could be 2 months ahead. And, once I get the visa and enter the states on it and get married (the same day!!) it is about 3 months for AP (does that sound right? Can I apply for that at the same time as AOS and EAD? So, three months not being able to leave is not so terrible.

Yep, I believe you can file the EAD and AP forms at the same time as AOS and the only fee you pay is for AOS (according to the USCIS website). Good luck!

[Doug n Amanda 0]

The more I think about this, the more I am leaning towards the K1 - We can apply for it right this second, which would cut our time down considerably, because the soonest I can see that we could get married and applying for K3 would be 2 months from now. So we could be 2 months ahead. And, once I get the visa and enter the states on it and get married (the same day!!) it is about 3 months for AP (does that sound right? Can I apply for that at the same time as AOS and EAD? So, three months not being able to leave is not so terrible.

Sounds like you've worked out the visitor stuff, good job & thanks fellow VJers, LOL. We filed K1 for the same reason (told it was quicker). If you don't mind waiting for the Visa to get married, it's a good way to go. And yes to your question: you can file the AOS, AP and EAD docs together just as soon as you get your marriage certificate!

[Reba 2]

As far as working your Canadian contract jobs while you're in the US, I wouldn't mention that to CBP either. If you are on US soil and working you are required to have a US work permit. Even if you are working for Canadians in Canada and telecommuting. So if you can at all help it, Do Not take anything related to your work with you. No business cards, no files, nothing. A laptop can be rationalised, lots of people take them on vacation, but anything else that looks like work may get you denied.

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

I hate to sort of throw a ratchet in the spokes but any Canadian visiting the US is stamped with a B-2, even though w are VWP'd. I have about 5 B-2s. It's a standard protocol now.

Really? The only B2 I received while visiting Bee was from JFK - other passport stamps I received (if any) didn't have that specific notation. Whether it was out of laziness on the officer's part, I'm not sure.

I entered from 2 ports. 1 YVR airport, 2 peacearch border crossing. Each time I got a stamp, from different officers at very different times. It could be that only BC/WA ports force this, so I shouldn't broaden my assumption to every port. But in my experience I was not simply let in VWP (as I should be) I was stamped and dated.

Just a point of clarification, Canada isn't a part of the VWP. There's a separate treaty that I don't recall the name of right now that allows Canada trips without visas. I cross nearly every day (granted I'm the American) and have never been stamped, but have been given a Visitor's Record once.

The more I think about this, the more I am leaning towards the K1 - We can apply for it right this second, which would cut our time down considerably, because the soonest I can see that we could get married and applying for K3 would be 2 months from now. So we could be 2 months ahead. And, once I get the visa and enter the states on it and get married (the same day!!) it is about 3 months for AP (does that sound right? Can I apply for that at the same time as AOS and EAD? So, three months not being able to leave is not so terrible.

AOS, EAD, and AP can, and should be, filed at the same time. I believe the wait time had been about three months, but I'm hoping it's gone down with the increase in the rates. None of the recent approvals around here have responded back on that, yet, though, and I'm to afraid to venture out of the Canada forum.

Oh, and technically I do believe the length of time is six months in any twelve month period of time. So various short trips in the previous year would technically count against the length of your long trip.

Edited October 19, 2007 by Jeremy + Kristy

[warlord 73]

B2 visitor visas are what many Canadians get while in the US after their TN expires or their job gets terminated to remain in the US to wrap up things before heading back to Canada. May others use the B2 to visit family for exented periods and many of the Snow Birds use the B2 to stay in Florida for up to 6 months in the winter time.

The only thing Canadians don't qualify for because there's so many other visas given is the Green Card Lottery. So any Canadian can apply for a B2 and that is up to the INS to approve or deny based on how much ties you have to Canada. If you didn't own a home or have a job etc that might prevent them from issuing one...

[warlord 73]

Here's a nice little article on Canadians and the B2...

http://www.helium.com/tm/445442/there-avai...visas-temporary

[blueyJ 0]

Thanks everyone! I will definitely look at the B2 - although I don't know if I'd get one with a pending K1. And no, I'll make sure I don't take anything "work related" with me - all I need is a laptop:) Thanks be to cyberspace!

[trailmix 77]

Oh yeah, and one time, the airport customs guy stamped my boarding pass, not my passport. I've wondered about that too. lol