Visit US While CR-1 Visa is being processed

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Thanks everyone for their help and support thus far in helping me get up to speed with immigration laws. My next question is this. During the processing of the CR-1 Visa. Can my wife travel from Canada back and forth on a Visitor Visa?

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Yes.

Just be prepared to show "strong ties" back to the home country.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Canadians don't need a visa to visit the U.S. Your wife can travel to the U.S. but she will need to have strong ties to Canada to show the BP. She will need to tell the truth always.

Good luck.

[trailmix 77]

Thanks everyone for their help and support thus far in helping me get up to speed with immigration laws. My next question is this. During the processing of the CR-1 Visa. Can my wife travel from Canada back and forth on a Visitor Visa?

If she is Canadian she won't need a visitor's visa.

Some info on visiting while your application is pending can be found on the VJWiki Canada page:

== '''Visiting the U.S. while your visa application is pending''' ==

Entry in to the U.S. is not technically prohibited while you are waiting for your visa to process. The final say on whether you will be admitted to the U.S. to visit during this period lies with the U.S. Border Protection at your port of entry.

Visa applicants, generally, are expected to provide evidence that they are intending to return to their country of residence. Therefore, applicants should provide proof of “binding” or sufficient ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include documentation of the following:

* Property ownership (or rental agreement)

* Employment contract or statement from employer stating that the position will continue when the employee returns (expected date of return)

In some cases the visa applicant is not asked for this proof, however it can be requested at any time and it is advisable to carry this information with you when crossing the border.

'''Some words of advice from VJ member [http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showuser=6471 flames9]'''

'''1)''' Always tell the TRUTH. Never lie to the POE officer

'''2)''' Be confident in your replies

'''3)''' Keep your response short and to the point, don't tell your life story!

'''4)''' Look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lying and have been trained to find them

'''5)''' Pack light! No job resumes with you.

'''6)''' Bring proof of ties to Canada (letter from employer showing when you are expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

'''7)''' Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get you anywhere, and could make things worse!!

'''8)''' Have a plan in case you do get denied (be polite). It wont harm your visa application if you are denied, that is if you're polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Canadians don't need a visa to visit the U.S. Your wife can travel to the U.S. but she will need to have strong ties to Canada to show the BP. She will need to tell the truth always.

Good luck.

Of course she def. will. I understand that Canadian's automatic visa they have to travel to the US is 6months at a time correct? So as long as she doesn't over stay that. And travels back to Canada where her family live. Everything will be okay?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

She may travel for up to 6 months in one calendar year. But having ties to Canada including a job with a letter with an expected return date, a mortgage or lease etc.

Good luck.

[Matt n Shannon 3]

She may travel for up to 6 months in one calendar year. But having ties to Canada including a job with a letter with an expected return date, a mortgage or lease etc.

Good luck.

She has to have a Job? What if shes unemployed?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Without a job, what other ties does she have to Canada to indicate that she will return?

[OBX 51]

She may travel for up to 6 months in one calendar year. But having ties to Canada including a job with a letter with an expected return date, a mortgage or lease etc.

Good luck.

She has to have a Job? What if shes unemployed?

She doesn't have to be working in Canada but does need to show strong ties to Canada. As other posters have noted the customs officer will look for evidence that she intends to return to Canada.

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Without a job, what other ties does she have to Canada to indicate that she will return?

I mean she comes to visit now, and thats not a problem. But her ties would obviously be where she lives and all her belonging's. She lives with 3 other Girls.

Without a job, what other ties does she have to Canada to indicate that she will return?

I mean she comes to visit now, and thats not a problem. But her ties would obviously be where she lives and all her belonging's. She lives with 3 other Girls. Would a Return Trip Ticket be enough Evidence?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Have her bring her lease to the airport with her. But as always, be prepared to be denied entry. It will not affect your immigration status or pending petition at all

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Have her bring her lease to the airport with her. But as always, be prepared to be denied entry. It will not affect your immigration status or pending petition at all

The lease isn't in her name..Long story short its in the grand mothers name of one of the girls she lives with, in a house. Will that matter? I'm guessing probably not since her name isn't on the lease it isn't positive identification that she's tied to it.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

In my opinion, yes it matters. Since her name is not on the lease and she does not have a job - to me she cannot show any ties to Canada.

Good luck.

[zenaxe 22]

The first time I crossed into the USA after we got married was in mid Feb. I brought all my evidence ie title/mortgage documents, letter from my employer with the expected return date, NOA1 to show were were doing it properly etc etc. And the official asked me one question: how long would I be in the USA - I answered and he let me through. This was Vancouver International airport.

I'm now back in the USA visiting my wife - flew in yesterday for about a week. I crossed by land to fly out of Bellingham. I have a Nexus card so that speeds things up. This time the border official asked what the nature of the visit was (my brother in law was driving me to the airport), I told the official I was going to Arizona to visit over Easter, he asked me was there and I told him I"m visiting my wife and her family. He asked what she was doing there. I told him she lived there - he asked if she was a citizen, yes she is. He then asked what is the plan ie is she moving or am I moving. I told him I was moving to the USA. He asked if we had petition/applied accordingly. I told him yes we are in the process and moving along nicely in that process. He asked for my return ticket itinerary. I initially gave him my printed out boarding pass and he said 'this is only a one way ticket' and asked for the return. I gave him my itinerary showing both legs of the journey. He asked how many suitcases were in the covered part of the truck. I travel light these days given that I have clothes and things down there. So I bring on board stuff. I always over pack anyway and always say ok no more over packing then I do it anyway. But I answered there was nothing in the back, as I was only bringing my onboard bag and not checking in bags.

He said welcome to the United States.

Very smooth no problem.

I had commented on another link about my last trip (can't find that posting) when I came down in Feb we also went to the Riviera Maya for our honeymoon. And I had left all my ties to Canada in Arizona given our trip to Mexico. So all was great then on the return flight from Mexico into Dallas/Fort Worth, we discussed the ties to Canada and realized I didn't have anything and we were about to enter the US from another point of entry, Mexico. I thought oh great, I can't even show one document to prove I was only coming for a visit.

I won't repeat my post but answered all his questions. He realized my wife is a US citizen and asked how that worked ie must be a lot of commuting etc. I said yes it was and got expensive. A few more questions and I got through without any trouble. I realize now that that could have been a problem situation for me. I didn't even think about it given everything....Mexico and back. But you are still entering the US from a point of entry.

So far I've had zero problems and don't anticipate any problems in future, although I'm planning one more trip over summer and the one after should be to activate my permanent resident card, hopefully.

Be truthful always to border patrol and be prepared to answer every question and to show evidence as required.

Good luck.

[Canadiandggal 49]

I don't have a job, I'm Unemployed till i get my Visa and ssn to work in USA.

When I visit I just bring everything I can think of, Last years taxes, Phone bills in my name,anything in her name, appointment letters, letter from my landlord stating i will be back,anything from immigration, don't over pack, Never lie.

I have never had a problem getting in, most officers realize that when you are in a relationship you will visit your significant other but it is always good to bring stuff along and be prepared for the worst case.

Have return is always good too