TripleCity
Difficulty:  | Review Topic: Port of Entry Review
Time: 20 minutes
Honestly it was very simple. I applied for CR1 but by the time my visa was approved I was married over 2 years. But my visa stamp in the passport stated CR1. I called US customs at the airport a week before to find out whether I needed to go to pre-clearance or just approach customs as normal after clearing security. They said don’t go to pre-clearance just go through security and then when at customs desk let the US customs agent know that you are activating your spouse visa for first time use. That’s what we did. The customs agent brought us to secondary screening to wait while he handed over my passport to his colleague. The agent just did the stuff on the computer, asked me to write my US address on a piece of paper where they would be sending the visa. Montreal Consulate had told me the determination for CR1 or IR1 would be made at Point of entry. The agent asked how long I was married I told her the time 2 years and some months. She had a quizzical look on her face as if she was counting the months or confirming / looking up date of marriage. At that point just made it easier by pulling out a copy of our marriage certificate which she was pleased to have handy. I’m sure it was on the system in the packet but hey whatever makes it easier.
Tips:
Go early if you can, but the process is quick if your situation is straight forward airport not busy. If you are flying during holiday season give yourself extra time.
I was freaking out because I had been 221g AP and there was a note on the visa stamp stating 221g, thought they would ask me more questions and delay us getting to the flight but wasn’t asked about it. Everything had been finalized with the consulate.
Use Nexus line if you have Nexus.
Have your marriage certificate handy.
Have your documents. I brought the same folder with everything I had with me at the interview and since the interview even copies of important email correspondence between me and montreal about IR1 determination at POE.
I was stamped 1R1. She gave me some info sheets about the PR status, rights and responsibilities and re-entry waiver if out of US for over 1 year and then told us we could now exit towards our gate.
The agent was professional neither friendly or rude.
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Port of Entry Member Review #17303
Entry Date: Early January 2022