I'm trying to figure out if I may get into any trouble down the road. When I first went to the US in January, I knew I was legally allowed to stay for 6 months. Me and Mel got married in June before we came to Canada to visit my family. I had no idea that when I first went down I would be getting married. We stayed in Canada for a few weeks and went back to US. Is the 6 month time frame for a 1 year time period, or am I ok that I landed back in my own Country within 6 months? When we went back to the US, we filed the I 130. We knew nothing when we got married about the Immigration process. I just don't want to get kicked in the butt for anything later on.

This was all I found on the U.S. embassy site:

"Canadian citizens are generally granted visitor status in the U.S. for up to six months at time of entry. Requests to extend a stay beyond this time must be made to the nearest office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Any visitor may be asked to demonstrate that they are only remaining temporarily in the United States. "

I haven't ever heard anything about a maximum time in one year. As long as you didn't make misrepresentations at the border, I don't think this would be a problem. Maybe someone else will have more insight.

Thanks Sweetie. I am just in worry mode, stressing about any little thing that could go wrong.

I got pulled into secondary inspection in Toronto and the officer made me figure out all of the dates of my recent visits, then added them up and told me I was only allowed to be in the US for a total of six months in one year.

You should check to make sure you don't need a waiver or something, and if you do, then see if you can get it prepared in advance.

Ok, back to stress mode.

I'm pretty sure my husband will be in a similar situation. But I've never heard of a waiver for this situation (not that that doesn't mean there isn't such a thing).

I don't know what the violation would even be called. I know you're not supposed to overstay, but even an over stay isn't a violation leading to a ban unless you overstay for more than 6 months (meaning 6 months + 6 months for a Canadian). That's how I understand it anyway I'm definitely not an expert on waivers.

I won't worry too much at this point. I have other things to worry about more

I really don't think you have anything at all to worry about. As long as you didn't stay past a departure date on an I-94 or after you were told to leave the US,, you should be fine.

Thanks for everyones answers. I am pretty relaxed about it now.