Crossing border after just filing for K-1

[freem 0]

We just submitted out K-1 visa early January and I am planning to cross the border to visit him next month. He received our I-797C receipt number in the mail but I have not received anything like that.

Other than proof of ties, do I need to bring such a copy as well if I was not mailed anything or can I just quote the number? What other questions would they ask you? I have a Nexus pass so I wonder if they will give me an easier time.

If anyone has advice or experiences to share, please let me know. Border officials scare me!

[JeannieL 44]

Be honest with them. Take a few things to show proof of ties. If your fiance can send you a copy of the NOA1 take that too. I didn't have any trouble traveling back and forth after we filed. I always had a return ticket because I was flying and as much as I could for proof of ties, including a letter from my employer with expected date of return to work. Good luck in your journey!

[KaiT 0]

We just submitted out K-1 visa early January and I am planning to cross the border to visit him next month. He received our I-797C receipt number in the mail but I have not received anything like that.

Other than proof of ties, do I need to bring such a copy as well if I was not mailed anything or can I just quote the number? What other questions would they ask you? I have a Nexus pass so I wonder if they will give me an easier time.

If anyone has advice or experiences to share, please let me know. Border officials scare me!

Make sure you have an itinerary that shows your intent to return to Canada. I made a trip to the US without any proof of ties or a copy of the NOA1. When you check in with your air carrier, ask for a printed itinerary and get a paper boarding pass (you can use it later for continued proof of ongoing relationship). I guess if you are going by car, you would need to take some proof of ties. And get the border agent to stamp your passport (again further ongoing evidence for later use).

Good Luck.

[KTandTommy 31]

I haven't filed my paperwork yet, but I can share with you some anecdotes:

My fiance and I were planning on filing our paperwork over the Christmas vacation (he would be going back to Florida, and after a month-long vacation I would be returning to Toronto)... we had interesting circumstances. We were driving across the border, to fly down to Florida from Niagara Falls airport... both on one-way tickets, because I was going to be driving back with my parents, who were driving down for Christmas as well, a few days later.

We didn't have our paperwork prepared yet, so I thought nothing of it... but they GRILLED me. Thankfully, I was totally honest, and the border guard was very cool. She asked me for proof of ties to Canada, work, bank account, return tickets, etc - and I had *NONE* of that. She let me go, because she said she believed me, but she said to make sure I had all of that stuff the next time I travelled.

I'm going to be going down again on Thursday - this time I'll be bringing 3 copies of our paperwork (I put it all together up here, so that we can review and submit it now, finally), I have my current tax bill - which states that I'm the owner of my condo, I have my latest paystub, I have a record of my last bank transaction to show how much I have in the bank, my return flight is booked & on a print-out, and I'll be taking a letter from my employer to say that I'll be returning to work in a week.

I'm hoping and praying to not have any trouble - but I'm leaving extra-early just in case.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I travelled back and forth regularly without a problem. I brought with me:

Proof of my return ticket

A letter from my employer stating when I'd be back at work

A copy of our K1 NOA1 (when I got it)

I never visited more than a week and always had a return ticket, so I think that helped a lot.

If you plan to visit for a long period of time, on a one-way ticket, then you'll probably want to bring more proof of ties to Canada. If you're only going for a week or two and have a return ticket, a job to get back to etc. then you have nothing to worry about.

[frostiana 12]

We just submitted out K-1 visa early January and I am planning to cross the border to visit him next month. He received our I-797C receipt number in the mail but I have not received anything like that.

Other than proof of ties, do I need to bring such a copy as well if I was not mailed anything or can I just quote the number? What other questions would they ask you? I have a Nexus pass so I wonder if they will give me an easier time.

If anyone has advice or experiences to share, please let me know. Border officials scare me!

We travelled repeatedly through the Windsor-'Detroit border after sending in the K1 visa petition. We had a complete set of the petition right on my lap. We didn't say anything unless they asked, but when they saw the statue of liberty paper (the NOA) they always asked what it was and we presented it and explained our K1 visa pending status. They were always interested and satisfied that we were being duly scrutinized by the government and it was always an effective way to get cleared by them. It's best not to throw it in their face but have it out and ready to offer if any question is asked. And use the term "fiance" as that is what you are now! They always seemed pleased that we were going through the proper system channels.

Hope this helps. I didn't have a nexus pass by my husband did. We always had the petition package next to him when he travelled through alone as well.

[moemac59 192]

KTand Tommy,

My fiance and I were planning on filing our paperwork over the Christmas vacation (he would be going back to Florida, and after a month-long vacation I would be returning to Toronto)... we had interesting circumstances. We were driving across the border, to fly down to Florida from Niagara Falls airport... both on one-way tickets, because I was going to be driving back with my parents, who were driving down for Christmas as well, a few days later.

I always enter at Niagra and they always give me a hard time. I finally got a NEXUS pass and cross over from Niagra Falls Canada to Niagra Falls NY. My fiancee lives just outside of Buffalo. The only bridge that I cross at now is the Whirlpool Bridge. This is NEXUS access only. The US customs agents are pretty nice there and I never get a hassle. The US customs agent told me to carry my I-797 form with me when I was crossing over and that if I had that plus other documents (letter from employer, utility bills, currnet bank info) that I shouldn't have any issues crossing over.

Hope this helps.

[lisers76 1]

I have crossed the border 4 or 5 times since I filed my NOA1. I have never really had a problem. I always had with me proof of ties and a copy of the NOA1. Only once did I have to show the NOA1. I have never had to show proof of ties. My advice is be honest, and only answer the questions that are asked of you. Do not over explain. They find that suspicious.

We just submitted out K-1 visa early January and I am planning to cross the border to visit him next month. He received our I-797C receipt number in the mail but I have not received anything like that.

Other than proof of ties, do I need to bring such a copy as well if I was not mailed anything or can I just quote the number? What other questions would they ask you? I have a Nexus pass so I wonder if they will give me an easier time.

If anyone has advice or experiences to share, please let me know. Border officials scare me!

[KTandTommy 31]

KTand Tommy,

My fiance and I were planning on filing our paperwork over the Christmas vacation (he would be going back to Florida, and after a month-long vacation I would be returning to Toronto)... we had interesting circumstances. We were driving across the border, to fly down to Florida from Niagara Falls airport... both on one-way tickets, because I was going to be driving back with my parents, who were driving down for Christmas as well, a few days later.

I always enter at Niagra and they always give me a hard time. I finally got a NEXUS pass and cross over from Niagra Falls Canada to Niagra Falls NY. My fiancee lives just outside of Buffalo. The only bridge that I cross at now is the Whirlpool Bridge. This is NEXUS access only. The US customs agents are pretty nice there and I never get a hassle. The US customs agent told me to carry my I-797 form with me when I was crossing over and that if I had that plus other documents (letter from employer, utility bills, currnet bank info) that I shouldn't have any issues crossing over.

Hope this helps.

That's great! Thank you so much! I leave tomorrow... I'm a little nervous about the border crossing, but I have letters, bills, bank info, and all that stuff set aside and ready to be handed over when asked... plus I have a return ticket this time... so I'm hopeful that it'll go smoothly (That being said, I'm planning on leaving at noon for my 6pm flight, just in case of any difficulties!)

[Seka80 0]

Can anyone tell me who the letter from my employer showing that I am returning to work, should be addressed too? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you