I had gone to visit my fiance for American Thanksgiving. We attempted to have him return with me so he could spend the Christmas holidays here. POE was Vancouver airport. The officer there said that, because we were in the K-1 process (we showed him the paperwork) and my fiance didn't have much to prove ties to Canada (no letter from employer or anything like that), it looked like "we were doing everything the right way but that it seems that he is not a tourist anymore but an intended immigrant". My fiance was allowed to withdraw his petition for entry.

Anyway, we are missing each other terribly now and have considered trying to have him come visit for a week at Christmas, this time taking lots of documentation with him to prove his ties to Canada. I know we are thinking with our hearts and perhaps not our heads ..... sooooooo ...... if we do this and he is denied entry, will this screw up our petition for a visa? He has received packet 3, had his medical, sent back his checklist and is waiting notification of the interview date. My fiance had consulted with an attorney about another issue and, in the course, asked about coming to visit. The attorney said it would be no problem, just try again and the worst that could happen is a refusal. However, during this process, we learned that advice given by that attorney was erroneous (consulate gave correct feedback). I would appreciate any advice from VJers

Much thanks.

My husband was denied entry last September. He was pretty freaked out by the experience, and we waited a long time until he tried again. And when he did he was VERY prepared. Since then he has come down maybe 4 times, and each time without serious problems. He was just very upfront and honest. It's funny what that one border guard said to you, (about doing the right thing) we had one say the exact same thing at first, but he said we were okay to enter the U.S. It just goes to show how much it depends on the border guard. As you can see from my signature, it hasn't interfered with our process so far.

I just remembered though, that when my sister's husband was denied entry, they made a really big deal about the fact that the next time he tried to come in he should absolutely tell them he was denied the last time, or it looks like he is being deceptive.

I don't think it can harm anything, the worst I've seen are people being turned back. I've also heard that it may trigger more security checks at some point, but I have a feeling that this is less of a concern for Canadians.

Good luck!!

I would not take that gamble (from personal experience) I know

It's always a gamble and you need to be prepared for being sent back. But you're so close to the finish line! Why not wait it out? Or have the American visit Canada?

Well, about the American visiting ..... I don't have the vacation time from work now

We are really trying to be patient and wait it out, but ..... I have just moved to a new state and don't know anyone here except my co-workers. I know that it would be easier to keep thinking with my head instead of my heart if I had support here, but I don't. That's why I really need the VJ advice

If my fiance does attempt a visit and is denied, will it negatively affect the K-1 process?

I lived on Can-Am border town for the first year of my relationship with my fiance. Either of us never encountered a problem crossing the border. I crossed daily some weeks! I never told the officer that I was filing a fiance visa. I would say that I am going to visit my love and that was it! I crossed the border every time but I am sure that my information of frequent crossing was in their computer. I never had a problem with the border. I guess it depends on the officer!

Seems to me there have been quite a few who have been refused entry during the process yet had it have no affect on their ability to obtain their visa.

Think of it this way.....
Trying to enter the country isnt a criminal offense. The only reason officer denied entry is based on his feeling that your husband may not have enough ties to Canada not because he was legally inadmissable.If he can gather up enough valid proof that he intends to go back, the next officer may feel differently. He's asking to be here for a week this time , not several weeks as before.

So , all that being said and without your visa being compromised, what is the real harm trying? Just make sure his ticket ( he is flying right?) is exchangable if he is refused.


Its a holiday and my opinion is the border officers might be more willing to allow entry as they understand people wanna spend time with their families during that time.

I'll add again....we have never EVER had any problems in all of our crossings...and there have been a lot.

Anyway , good luck!!

regarding immigration border crossing into the USA. It has been my experience. The Vancouver Airport..is way more thorough than the driving across the border crossing.
It makes sense to drive across the border to Bellingham or Sea Tac Airport and fly to your
destination from there! I have never been denied entry ...but have been pulled over once and
questioned at Vancouver Airport. It seems there was no problem! Now that I am married..
and waiting for the process to go thru...
I am always asked... what's my destination and who I am visiting..once I say my husband, then
the red flags go up, for more questions...LOL. (here we go again) my line is "he is american and I am not" next question is...so why are you not living together? we are in the Visa process and thats
it! How long am I staying for?..(which is usally the weekend) they let me go!

I guess I am just lucky to have not had problems!
Denise

This question comes up very very often on VJ. No one can give you a 100% yes or no answer if yuor POE wil be successfull. I traveleld monthly to DC while my cr-2 was in process and never had a problem, while others do get denied. I always had strong ties to canada, job letter, apartment lease, etc, but never asked to see them. have a back up plan in case one does get turned around. Best of luck

Thanks everyone for posting. After really thinking about it, my fiance and I decided that we are way too chicken right now to attempt a border crossing Instead, the boy is going to get his butt across the country to Quebec province and find a motel close to the Vermont border. Then I can drive up and see him for a long weekend. Yeah, not ideal and since we have to pay for a motel, not as long a visit as we would have if he came here....... but at least we get to see each other

Have a great visit!

At least you are going to be together that's great! I can only speak from my own experience. But since we filed for our I129 in August, I have flown down to visit my fiance once a month and never had any problems with the POE. Mind you, I always find the Oficers at the Ottawa airport super nice. Of course, I have to go through some questions, and I have a ton of paperwork showing ties to Canada (mortgage, full time job...) and I always keep with me my visa paperwork just in case. But have never had to show anything.
Good luck with your reunion and may you have a safe border crossing into Canada!