Can you travel to the US while K1 is processing?

[L_n_O 3]

Hey,

I'm supposed to attend my fiancee's brother's wedding in May. Am I going to be allowed across the border while my K-1 is in process?

I've only received the NAO1 yesterday.. and the wedding is in 2 weeks!

Am I going to be permitted across the border?!

Liz

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Hey,

I'm supposed to attend my fiancee's brother's wedding in May. Am I going to be allowed across the border while my K-1 is in process?

I've only received the NAO1 yesterday.. and the wedding is in 2 weeks!

Am I going to be permitted across the border?!

Liz

As a citizen of Canada you should have no more than the usual problems crossing the border. Make sure though, that you bring documentation regarding your ties to Canada just in case there is an question.

You will likely get a lot of feedback from folks who have gone through exactly this. You don't have too much to worry about with a bit of preparation.

Good luck on your journey!

[~Nini~ 2]

Just make sure that you bring proof of ties to Canada, such as a letter from your employer stating that you are on holidays and intend to return to work, bank statements, school schedules, etc. We also received our NOA1 a few days ago and I'll be heading to the States on Friday (YAY!).

I've never had any problems travelling there and back, so I'm sure it'll be alright for you too. Have a good time at the wedding.

[mwinburn 0]

Just make sure that you bring proof of ties to Canada, such as a letter from your employer stating that you are on holidays and intend to return to work, bank statements, school schedules, etc. We also received our NOA1 a few days ago and I'll be heading to the States on Friday (YAY!).

I've never had any problems travelling there and back, so I'm sure it'll be alright for you too. Have a good time at the wedding.

Out of curiosity, why do you guys think this is necessary? Does an additional level of questions come up if you say you are visiting your fiance compared to just saying you are visiting a friend? My GF has only been over twice, but they never ask her anything. Now I'm worried about trying to bring her down here during the K-1, but I really need to so she can help approve wedding stuff.

Plus we don't wanna get a letter from her employer because we aren't going to tell them she's leaving until we get the visa. Otherwise she might get laid off =/

[Flames9_RN 358]

Must be a Monday!!! This gets brough tup weekly on VJ by a canuck,lol!

Many, including I have travelled to the USA while the visa process was ongoing, and never had a problem!! Others have been denied entry!! So it is not a gimme!!

1) Bring ties to canada with u (letter from employer, lease, immigration paperwork,etc)

2) Be HONEST!!! BUt only answer the question, if you know what I mean!! Dont blab away,lol

3) Don't have tons of luggage, or job resumes with you!!

4)Be confident and polite in ur answers, NEVER get upset, your not going to win!!

5) If you do get denied and u were honest, its ok, shouldn't harm ur visa at all. They will most likley ask at the K1 interview if you have been denied, if u have say yes, not a big deal!!

I travelled monthly to DC and was a breeze, but thats just my experience. Best of luck

[Flames9_RN 358]

Just make sure that you bring proof of ties to Canada, such as a letter from your employer stating that you are on holidays and intend to return to work, bank statements, school schedules, etc. We also received our NOA1 a few days ago and I'll be heading to the States on Friday (YAY!).

I've never had any problems travelling there and back, so I'm sure it'll be alright for you too. Have a good time at the wedding.

Out of curiosity, why do you guys think this is necessary? Does an additional level of questions come up if you say you are visiting your fiance compared to just saying you are visiting a friend? My GF has only been over twice, but they never ask her anything. Now I'm worried about trying to bring her down here during the K-1, but I really need to so she can help approve wedding stuff.

Plus we don't wanna get a letter from her employer because we aren't going to tell them she's leaving until we get the visa. Otherwise she might get laid off =/

All depnds on the POE and POE officer, some are stricter than others. When one states to the POE officer, that ur visiting a fiance or a spouse, they may think you may stay and reside in the USA! As well no one for sure (or isnt saying,lol) what the POE officer see's on his computer. Does he know that you have a visa in progress?? Best to bring ties to Canada, and even that doesn't gaurentee u entry!!

[L_n_O 3]

Out of curiosity, why do you guys think this is necessary? Does an additional level of questions come up if you say you are visiting your fiance compared to just saying you are visiting a friend? My GF has only been over twice, but they never ask her anything. Now I'm worried about trying to bring her down here during the K-1, but I really need to so she can help approve wedding stuff.

Plus we don't wanna get a letter from her employer because we aren't going to tell them she's leaving until we get the visa. Otherwise she might get laid off =/

I was just wondering, cuz I wasn't sure if now when they scan your passport at the border if anything comes up under your profile once you file for the K1.

I'm sure it won't be a huge difference to usual, but I do plan to bring school schedules and everything..

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Here's my 2 cents - we got engaged last July 2006 and only started the K-1 process in Jan 2007

I travelled after getting engaged both by plane and driving and I answer truthfully that I am visiting my fiance, they ask when I'm returning or when I'm returning to work - I have nothing to hide anyway! You don't need to provide letters from your employer if you're visiting for a week or 2 - they honestly might be more suspicious if you're providing some sort of 'odd' evidence.

I've also travelled since the K1 process started - they don't ask about it and they don't have you in a database somewhere that I've heard of - they might, but obviously it's not a problem. I personally scan my passport at the ticket booth, although I guess they take a look at it too.

Don't sweat it, as long as you're truthful, you should be fine.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I belive it has been highly suggested from a USA POE officer that hangs out in the canada forum here on VJ, that one should have ties to canada if they are visiting the USA while ur visda process is ongoing. Its ur choice to, or not to, just as it is the POE officers choice to let u gain entry or not to. I'm all for visiting the USA (as a canuck) while the visa process is ongoing, I sure did. As wel I belive just in the last while there has been a few Canadians pulled aside for further questioning, and one of the reasons they were allowed entry into the USA was that they had ties to canada with them. Fail to pan, plan to fail,lol Best of luck

[Kathryn41 3,205]

One of the other documents I brought along with my proof of ties to Canada was a photocopy of the K-129f/K-1 package and receipts. The first time I was pulled into secondary I was actually going to the Detroit airport to pick up my fiance who was visiting me and I didn't have my package of proof with me. Fortunately I did have a print out of his flight information, so they let me go through on the proviso that I stop back in at US immigration after I picked him up at the airport to tell them I was leaving the country. (You can be sure we did that!). The second time I was pulled into secondary they were going through all of my proof very carefully then came across the copy of the application. They looked through the copy, then handed me back my package of proof and let me continue on my way. I am confident that having proof that we were going through the proper immigration process along with the proof of existing ties to Canada helped reassure the immigration officers that I was not an immigration threat on that visit. Be well prepared and you should be fine. Be sure to include a copy of the wedding information with your proof of ties for this visit.

[L_n_O 3]

One of the other documents I brought along with my proof of ties to Canada was a photocopy of the K-129f/K-1 package and receipts. The first time I was pulled into secondary I was actually going to the Detroit airport to pick up my fiance who was visiting me and I didn't have my package of proof with me. Fortunately I did have a print out of his flight information, so they let me go through on the proviso that I stop back in at US immigration after I picked him up at the airport to tell them I was leaving the country. (You can be sure we did that!). The second time I was pulled into secondary they were going through all of my proof very carefully then came across the copy of the application. They looked through the copy, then handed me back my package of proof and let me continue on my way. I am confident that having proof that we were going through the proper immigration process along with the proof of existing ties to Canada helped reassure the immigration officers that I was not an immigration threat on that visit. Be well prepared and you should be fine. Be sure to include a copy of the wedding information with your proof of ties for this visit.

What do you mean proof of wedding information? I just got engaged like a month and a half ago and since I'm trying to finish up my degree, I don't really have any *wedding proof* as yet.. (you mean like invitations etc?)

[ladykelia 0]

What do you mean proof of wedding information? I just got engaged like a month and a half ago and since I'm trying to finish up my degree, I don't really have any *wedding proof* as yet.. (you mean like invitations etc?)

No worries. I think she was referring to the OP's fiance's brother wedding information ;D

Honestly, crossing the border can be really easy or really hard... it doesn't matter what your circumstances are. They must just do random thorough checks ever so often. I've mostly crossed by car at Pembina several times in the last few years- once going into Canada our whole car was packed with stuff because I was basically moving up there for school. We had tons of documentation about everything i was bringing and proof of ties to the USA... but all they did was look at my mom's and my passport and wave us through.

Another time, my fiance and I were going to the US to visit my parents and they did a whole car search and interrogation and everything. I don't think there was anything particularly suspicious about my fiance or anything. It was just a slow day and they were probably bored (well maybe they were suspicous that an american and canadian were travelling together, but who knows. we've crossed together before with no problems)

I'm just saying you should always bring proof of ties and all the information you can, lest they do decide to ask you for the information or search you. Everytime you cross the border there can be a number of factors that effect whether you get questioned or not. it various from PoE to PoE, officer to officer, and circumstance to circumstance.

[L_n_O 3]

look at you, such a smarty pants =)

I don't know why it didn't occur to me whose wedding info I should bring.... duh, not mine! the person's whose wedding i'm going to!! silly silly..

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

It goes the other way, too, USCs! Last weekend I needed to submit proof of ties to the US. Granted, I travel to see my fiancee about five times a week. Although, when I voluntarily went to the immigration office on my next reentry with that proof, the immigration officer couldn't figure what and why I was there, as primary didn't give me a "yellow ticket" and tell me to go there.

[mwinburn 0]

It goes the other way, too, USCs! Last weekend I needed to submit proof of ties to the US. Granted, I travel to see my fiancee about five times a week. Although, when I voluntarily went to the immigration office on my next reentry with that proof, the immigration officer couldn't figure what and why I was there, as primary didn't give me a "yellow ticket" and tell me to go there.

So is it possible they would deny entry to a random Canadian who was just here on vacation for a week? Or does the word "fiance" just send the POE officers into a frenzy to make our lives harder?