Visiting US while CR-1 pending

[Adichiwa 0]

My husband (U.S citizen) and I (Canadian citizen) are relocating to the U.S using DCF. Today we got our I-130 form approved (NOA-1) and are awaiting my Immigrant Visa application from Montreal (packet 3?). A few questions:

1. Can I visit the U.S while awaiting my CR-1?

2. How long would I be able to visit the U.S while my CR-1 is pending?

3. What documents or proofs would I have to show at the border (ie, that I am a visitor now but intending to immigrate in the future)?

3a. Proof of residence in Canada? (do I need to show a rental agreement or is it sufficient to be living with my parents?)

3b. Proof of employment? (Is this necessary if I have proof of residence?)

3c. others?

Also, we've heard today that the Montreal visa center is currently back-logged, can anyone comment on their recent experience with wait times

1) to receive the packet

2) to get an interview date

Much appreciated!

Adi

[sdw 10]

Take as much proof of ties as you can. No one can tell you for sure if you will be let it as it's up to the CBP. Always be truthful and I find it does help when the CBP knows you have knowledge of the proper steps to gain LPR status.

I am not sure about wait times for DFC, so I can't help you there.

[mustafa1232 3]

My husband (U.S citizen) and I (Canadian citizen) are relocating to the U.S using DCF. Today we got our I-130 form approved (NOA-1) and are awaiting my Immigrant Visa application from Montreal (packet 3?). A few questions:

1. Can I visit the U.S while awaiting my CR-1?

2. How long would I be able to visit the U.S while my CR-1 is pending?

3. What documents or proofs would I have to show at the border (ie, that I am a visitor now but intending to immigrate in the future)?

3a. Proof of residence in Canada? (do I need to show a rental agreement or is it sufficient to be living with my parents?)

3b. Proof of employment? (Is this necessary if I have proof of residence?)

3c. others?

Also, we've heard today that the Montreal visa center is currently back-logged, can anyone comment on their recent experience with wait times

1) to receive the packet

2) to get an interview date

Much appreciated!

Adi

hi adichiwa you said that you got your noa1 i dont understand that you said your petation finally approved if you got noa1 noa1 mean notice of action 1 its mean that uscis recieved your petation and they send you case no noa1 is the 1 step your petation i-130 take another 3 to 6 month for finally approval when your petation finally approved and uscis send you noa2 which mean that your i-130 is finally approved and then uscis send your petation to nvc and when nvc recieved your petation then nvc send bill to usa citizen and when usa citizen clear all the bills then nvc send your petation to your home country embassy and also send you packet 3 and your question about visit us yes you can visit but small amount of period but bear in mind that you have a strong ties of eviendce or proof but in my opnion it is better for your reputation you dont visit untill your i-130 finally not approved when your i-130 finally approved you dont have any problem to visit usa your question about back logged yes there is a back logged bcoz of buden of application but you dont have to worry cr1 minimium time period is 8 to 10 month and maximium 11 to 15 month or above and your question recieved packet when your i-130 approved it will take another 2 to3 month depend how fast you fillup and send your document to nvc from your home country if you visit usa please bepreped for typical question and please set your country flag on your post board and tell me when you send your i-130 petation

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Mustafa1232 - please reread the original post before answering. Clearly they are doing DCF so a lot of what you write is not going to happen to them and the wait times, specificially through USCIS and NVC do not apply to them.

To the OP - you'll likely want to bring something to show you intend to return to Canada. A lease agreement or mortgage and a letter from the employer are certainly strong evidence. Is your husband planning on returning to Canada to complete the process? Perhaps you could use HIS ties to Canada to show you both are returning to complete the DCF. Also, you could bring your NOA-1 (which is not the approval by the way) which shows you do not intend to immigrate when you visit but that you intend to complete the process in Montreal.

Good luck.

Edited to add - Montreal is getting really strict about 'domicile' in the US for the USC, make sure you have LOTS of evidence, like a job, home etc in the US to show them at the interview.

Edited February 26, 2010 by canadian_wife

[mustafa1232 3]

Mustafa1232 - please reread the original post before answering. Clearly they are doing DCF so a lot of what you write is not going to happen to them and the wait times, specificially through USCIS and NVC do not apply to them.

To the OP - you'll likely want to bring something to show you intend to return to Canada. A lease agreement or mortgage and a letter from the employer are certainly strong evidence. Is your husband planning on returning to Canada to complete the process? Perhaps you could use HIS ties to Canada to show you both are returning to complete the DCF. Also, you could bring your NOA-1 (which is not the approval by the way) which shows you do not intend to immigrate when you visit but that you intend to complete the process in Montreal.

Good luck.

Edited to add - Montreal is getting really strict about 'domicile' in the US for the USC, make sure you have LOTS of evidence, like a job, home etc in the US to show them at the interview.

hi canadian wife thanks for correcting me i mix up the one to another post sorry for the mix up have a nice day and thanks again

[birdnerd 5]

Hey Adi,

Think we might be acquainted.

Come join us over in the Canada Forum, lots more specific information.

[CanadiaGirl 10]

I had the problem of proving ties to Canada as I was jobless and am living with my parents.

What the border had me do is get an I-94. The border patrol officer told me that this will help to prove my ties and that I am good to my word. Another thing you don't want to do is go over with a full car. This will look highly suspicious that you are going to 'live' there. Although I live with my husband more than I'm in Canada (I don't mind being a stay at home wife so long as I'm with him). We are just starting the process and I am in Canada right now. My husband will be filing come Thursday and I'll be crossing over to visit him come March 26th. I will let you know how it goes. Another thing the border patrol officer said is simply get your passport stamped every time you cross. This will show a time line and proof that you aren't staying there. It will make them more at ease when you cross.