A common question here is whether beneficiaries can visit their fiancés in the US (or just travel to the US) while their K-1 visa is pending. The usual answer is that yes, we can as long as we have enough evidence to show ties to our country, and the Customs officer we talk to believes that we'll be entering the US only for a visit.

Here's how it happened for me. I bought a plane ticket in December to visit my fiancé for 2 months, leaving on March 13. We mailed our I-129F in February. I'm self-employed and don't have a mortgage or an apartment lease (I rent a suite in a house), so I was concerned about whether I'd have enough evidence of ties to Canada. What I compiled:

To show ties to Vancouver
- A letter from my landlady stating that I'd given her post-dated cheques in December for payment up to and including June and that my suite was still fully furnished with my belongings
- A letter from a company I used to work for stating that I still do occasional work for them and that I'm scheduled for some work in June
- Phone and cable bills in my name going back a few months
- My tenant insurance policy
- An email to my insurance company in which I mentioned that I'd be away for 2 months, and the response
- An email to the cable company asking them to turn off the cable for 2 months, and the response
- Papers showing my travel insurance policy covering me for 2 months
- My return plane and bus tickets

To show that I have some money
- Bank savings account statements showing money coming into my account regularly
- RRSP statements

K-1 related
- Copies of everything (except for the photos) I'd sent my fiancé to include in our I-129F application
- A copy of the NOA1
- My email to the US Vancouver embassy about a K-1 question I had, and their response

My flight was out of Seattle because I'd gotten the ticket on a seat sale, so I took a bus from Vancouver to Seattle. We entered the US via the Pacific Highway border crossing.

After reading all the threads here about entering the US while waiting for the K-1 to be approved, I'd reminded myself many times to just answer the questions and not give extra information. When my turn came, the conversation went something like this:

Q. Where are you going?
A. To Michigan.

Q. What is the purpose of your visit?
A. To visit my guy.

Q. How long have you been engaged?
[Our I-129F hasn't had any action since the NOA1 was sent out, but obviously my name has been entered into the computer system.]

Q. How long have you been married? (Or "When did you get married?" I don't remember exactly what he asked.)
A. We aren't married. We've applied for a K-1 visa, and we're going to get married after it's approved.

Somewhere around this point, the Customs officer told me to get in line for the other Customs officer on duty then. I think that the first guy was fairly new and was told to pass more complex situations on to more senior officers.

The second Customs officer also asked me how long I'd been engaged, which makes me wonder if it's a question that pops up on the computer screen when passports for K-1 applicants are scanned. Both officers spent some time studying the computer screen while talking to me.

He asked to see the I-129F application, and he spent a while looking through it, stopping to read parts of it. He commented that some people include photos, showing that he was familiar with I-129Fs. I said that we had too but that I hadn't brought the photos. He asked me for the dates of when I'd been in the US in the past year (one week last summer and 8 weeks last fall), and he wrote down the dates.

He wanted to see my return ticket, which I produced.

He asked about my work (I'm self-employed and just need a computer for my work, so I can work almost anywhere), how I pay my bills (online), and if I have an apartment lease (just a letter from my landlady).

He asked when we're getting married. I told him that I'll be able to move within a month after the K-1 is approved, and that we'll be getting married shortly after I move to the US.

He then said that I don't have strong ties to Vancouver and that it would be easy for me to just leave. I responded that if we were to get married on this trip, I'd get deported and lose any opportunity to live with my fiancé in the US. I said that I understand the reasons for the K-1 process and that we're doing things legally.

He talked about the amount of time I've spent in the US in the past year. With the 2 months in the fall and another 2 months now, he said, I was almost a resident of the US. I told him that I would probably be going to a conference in the US in July and that I'd been thinking about making that into a 2-3 week trip. I asked if that would be OK. He said that 2-3 weeks should be OK (although no guarantees), but not longer at this stage (because of all the time I've already spent in the US recently).

Finally, he said while the length of time in the US was a lot (or something like that), he believed that I wasn't going to stay in the US on this trip, so he was going to let me through. You can all imagine how relieved I was at that point. He told me that if I want to enter the US again, I should bring all the documentation that I'd brought on this trip.

Afterwards, I kept thinking about what I could've done differently. That was too close. As I said, it was in my mind not to volunteer more information than necessary, but that's for before the K-1 comes up. Once it was out there, I should've said more. I didn't tell him about most of the "ties to Vancouver" evidence I'd brought. It could've helped earlier in the conversation.

I think the amount of detail I had in the I-129F package helped. He looked through it quite a bit, and either he was just curious, or (my guess) he wanted to see that the papers in the envelope were all related to the I-129F and that there was a lot of evidence. If I'd had just the bare minimum in the file, he may have thought that the file was just for show. But I don't know.

Having a regular job and a letter from an employer probably makes border crossings easier. For those who don't have that, I hope something here is useful for you.

Thanks everyone who posted about this topic before. If it weren't for what I read in your posts, I wouldn't have gotten across the border on this trip.

Great information. I'm going to print it of for my finacée. We live right across the border from each other, and she usually doesn't have any problems, but I think I'm starting to rightfully scare her just enough.

It still amazes me how vastly different people's experiences at the border can be in situations like this.

I've been down to visit Brian several times since we filed our petition (almost a YEAR ago ) and I've really not had any problems. Only one time did the K1 petition itself ever get brought up... the officer I was speaking to called over another officer for some clarification and he did a lot of typing... but he still never asked to see any proof of ties to Canada (I had a letter from my employers with me). Every other time it's been a breeze... they rarely ask me more than a few questions.

Now, every time I travel to the US, it's always been the same way: I fly out of Pearson. Sometimes I wonder if that helps me... maybe they have some record and can see how often I've flown out and therefore also see that I always come back? Who knows!

It sounds like one of the main problems for the OP was not how many times, but length of stay. You are only supposed to be in the US no more than 6 months less a day (I do believe) in a year, hence the border guard making mention of it. Sounds like being prepared helped a lot to convince him.

Right. The length of stay was the main concern, and the secondary concern was that I don't have an employer or a rental lease. I wanted to share the story of how being prepared after being forewarned here made the difference.

After I posted the above, I remembered 2 more questions that the border guard asked:

- What nationality is your fiance? [Uh, he has to be American to be able to apply for the K-1.]

- What kind of work does he do? [What difference could that make in the decision about whether to let me into the US?]

I just answered the questions, of course. I didn't understand the purpose of those questions, but I did appreciate how polite the border guard was.

How stressful! It's happened to me (the grilling) on the Canadian side, too. Glad you got through!

Well, you got through and that is all the counts now. Have fun with your fiance!

Awesome post! Thanks for sharing your experience in detail

Just a strong belief of mine, is that I dont see how they could get that information just by scanning passport since its required to have a passport ready only when you receive packet 3 from the embassy, and you only write that passport number on the DS-230 that you send back to them after that...thus there is noy way they can relate your passport number to it before that happens.

I think the informations they have is based only on what youve told em in the past. I did go during my K-1 application and I said I was going to see my guy and all they asked was my lenght of stay and the job I do. THey never ever even mentionned the word boyfriend or fiance.

Oh well! I guess some officers are really a pain in the arse and thats unfortunate

Mephys

I was surprised that they had the information about me, but I don't know how else they could have gotten it. I said that I was going to see "my guy." The last time I went to the US, I said that I was going to see "my boyfriend." The border guard looked at the computer screen before asking me how long I'd been engaged.

I sent a copy of my passport with the I-129f, so they could've recorded my passport number and my status in their system.

I don't think this border guard was a pain. Well, it was a pain to have to go through that questioning, but he was courteous, and I think he was just doing his job. I have to like him -- he let me in.

How long was your visit when you went while your K-1 was pending?

Maybe the officer was just fishin'... and came up with the right question...

Interesting possibility. He also asked me how long we'd been married, and we aren't married and there's nothing to indicate that we might be.

Both of them read what was on their computer screens while talking to me, though, so something might have come up about me.

Has anyone else had a similar experience while their K-1 was pending?

Hard to say what they know and even a retired POE official wouldn't say for sure,lol Sort of on another subject, one would think all LAw enforecement woul dhave a computer that is centrally tied together for ease of passing info, but they do not (according to news articles) so who knows if immigration has centrally located records that POE officials can see if people have a visa in process or not

I applied for a K-3 and crossed the border a few times while it was being processed. I never had a problem except for the last time and I think the reason it was a problem is because I actually crossed the border in a car with my husband and all the other times it was my dad driving me over to Detroit to catch a flight to Florida.

We were held up for close to an hour and asked every question under the sun. It was really scary and to be honest all I brought was a complete copy of my K-3 application/supporting evidence and my passport. I didn’t have any evidence of ties to Canada. I just kept telling them that it would be really dumb to not come back since I’m doing everything legally and should have my visa in a couple months.

We had to be questioned by 4 different officers and then finally the last one said “ok I believe you will come to Canada, have a good trip”

Overall it was a scary experience because I thought they wouldn’t let me into the states and my husband would have to go without me. We did get through though and like I said before….this only happened once in about 8 months.

I woke up this morning, and the sun came out.
I'm pretty sure they are unrelated events.

It is a fairly standard questioning technique & I have read similar stories.. no links, sorry.

edit to add:
There was a great example that I read very early on in our visa process. An immigration attorney was telling about how he advises his clients to answer questions--that is, answer the question asked, period.
Example:

Q: Do you know what time it is?
A: Yes. (or "No'.)

Not, 'yes, it's 10:30'. Not 'no, I don't have a watch'.

No Meaux..........I am absolutely certain that your waking and the sun coming out are significantly related to one another.


This fine example of shameless rump-kissing is just an example of what can be learned by reading the book authored by my darling husband titled Backstroking and Suckupping 101; A learned husband's guide to getting along

........and yes Ive sent Flames9 a complimentary copy
<chortle>

OMG, I need an autographed copy over here...QUICK! It's so hard to teach the ones we love...

I think it more likely that their questions were crafted in response to the answers that you gave... but I'm sure they were also looking up your entry record and seeing how many time you have been visiting "your guy"..

ZYGGY!

Just the man i was looking for.......maybe you know this.


Can you share with us just how much and what kind of information is collected on us when we cross? It's been a topic of curiosity and discussion between me and a friend of mine. He says he asked one time and was told that each time we cross and why is recorded and can be "pulled up" by our i.d. and /or plate. How long is that info stored?

I certainly would understand if you were limited to what you can share.

Thanks !

Yes.. I do know...

They know each and every time a vehicle with a particular plate has crossed... now that ID is required when you enter the US, they probably know individual information as well and definitely will know once passports are required....

can't share how long the information is collected... comments by particular officer can be entered into the system..

There's other stuff that is available on the screen in terms of identification, but I can't divulge that information...

OK now I'm really curious to know what comes up when I cross a land POE with just my birth certificate and drivers license. Does it come up that I am a K1 applicant when they type in my name or license or b.cert no. ?? I've been over several times since we've applied (I'm a border city girl .. FI is from Utah .. but I visit Michigan often for concerts and what not) .. and they've never mentioned anything about my K1 visa.

Thanks Zyggy.......as always your input is greatly appreciated!!!

I see that u have masterdd suckupping 101, and moved on to suckupping 202!! lol

That is sound legal advice meauxna. If only I could get my clients to stick to that thinking!

Once you get in a situation at a POE like those mentioned here, or any other interrogation type environment, it becomes really easy to see how someone innocent of murder ends up confessing to the crime.

Just remember, whenever answering questions, the one word to avoid is "maybe." Maybe nothing! You should answer all questions as asked and never try to help someone keep you out of the country/get you in trouble, etc. That's not being evasive. If they need more specific information. Let 'em ask!

LMAO ...... Touche' , ya focker

lucky for you , you managed to visit your guy. Me on the otherhand had the worst time of my entire life. Ya just never know with these guys.
Its all in my profile if ya wanna know what happened.

That's what I figured because one officer asked me a lot about my K3 (I told him we were in the process) and he was satisfied that I was telling the truth after asking me a ton of questions (not in secondary) and I think he put something positive in there for me because the next visit the officer asked me right off the bat if I was visiting my husband and if I had an interview date set yet. I told him yes and the date and he just wished me good luck and a good weekend.

this is a really helpfull thread, thanks. while i and my fiance have yet to start the ball rolling for our visa yet cos we r still researching all we have to do, i was wondering about whether i'd have any problems visiting, and what i could do to avoid them. i'll deffinatly be writting this down.

oh p.s. as to the guard fishing perhaps the computer reminds him what general questions to ask for when certain answers are given? just a thought?

And the magician never reveals the secret to his tricks

So glad I saw this post. Now I can be prepared for when I go to visit Larry in March for 2 weeks. Thanks.

I was asked once, in Toronto, what C. did for a living. I'm not sure what the purpose of that question is either, but find it interesting that it gets asked on both sides of the border.

my advice for people going to the usa while the process is ongoing, I did it monthly to DC for 6 months:

) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer
2) Be confident in ur replies
3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!
4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!
5)pack light! No job resumes with you
6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)
7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!
8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

They know how often and for how long you visit the US. If you visit often, or stay for long periods, they will become suspicious. If you're ever dragged into secondary, that'll be recorded and will come up every time you cross at later dates.

I used to travel to the US fairly frequently for work, and the company I worked for had an unwritten policy to tell their employees to lie at the border until such time that employee was denied entry, and then, and only then, would they get that employee a proper visa. I was going over every other week for a week or 2 at a time, and finally when I was on my way for yet another trip (this time to a customer site!) they finally got fed up with me and denied me entry. The company had to get me a visa.

HOWEVER, on subsequent trips to the US when I was coming for personal reasons only ie: to visit my boyfriend/fiance/husband, I was allowed entry. Only after being dragged into secondary so they could rifle thru my things to make sure I didn't have any business materials with me. I used to deliberately carry stuff with me that in no way could ever be construed as to be business related. Unless one was employed in the sex trade!

After I was laid off from that job, and the visa I had was no longer valid, I came across for an extended holiday and stayed 5 months. My return ticket was dated for 3 months, but I changed it not long after I got here. At that time the border official asked me the purpose of my trip, and how long I'd be staying. I said "extended vacation to spend the winter with my husband" He asked how I intended to finance this extended vacation and I said "I was recently laid off from my job and was given a rather generous severance package". Then he asked me if I had any candy for him (it was the day after Halloween) and when I said he could have some of my Smarties I'd just bought at duty free, he said "enjoy your stay" and off I went to my gate. I never went to secondary.

I was told that it assists in determining a level of trustworthiness. Someone in a respectable position would carry a greater level of trustworthiness than someone who is unemployed or works in a strip club (or careers of that nature).

But the important question is..... did he take the Smarties?

Right, but C. wasn't the one crossing, I was. So how does knowing his profession tell anything useful about me?

Thankfully no! I like my Smarties!

Do you eat the red ones last?

I used to when I was younger, but I've gotten rather impatient in my old age and just eat 'em by the handful

Amen, sister, AMEN.

I have yet to try these Smarties. You can bet I will as soon as we can fly home. I can't imagine anything being better than M&M's.

don't shoot me , fellow Canadians but m&ms are better....

WHAT!! have u been kidnapped and brainwashed!! lol Smarties are the best!!

I wouldn't call it trustworthiness per se... One of the key points about entering the US is the need to go back. Someone who had a relatively stable profession such as engineer or accountant, etc. would typically have a job one would want to go back to... a career.... someone who was say, a clerk at a 7-11 doesn't have the same kind of stability and would be more tempted to stay awhile to lay on the beach or something.

Right, I get why they'd ask me MY profession when I am crossing into Canada. I don't get why the Canadians would ask me HIS.

Thanks for elaborating, Zyggy.


I was always asked the same question, but in reverse. (Crossing into the US and CBP asking what my husband (the USC) does for a living.) I believe it goes back to the trustworthiness issue. Perhas Zyggy can elaborate on that one as well. Or Neiks, if she's around.

when I've been asked what the hubby did when I was going to visit him in Canada, I got the impression that it was either to check my story (ask a random question that I should be able to answer if I was telling the truth, but may not have thought of if I were lying) or to see if I really did know the guy that I said that I was visiting.

The first year that we were together I went up to see him 6 or so times and got sent to secondary pretty much every time. The borders that I was crossing at (Coutes and Pegan, AB/MT) seemed obsessed with internet dating at the time and pretty much every time would ask me 3 or 4 times if we met online and if I had actually ever met him in person. It really felt like they were often trying to protect me from myself.

the hubby has also been asked about what I do when he crossed the border southward-he thought that they were just checking his story. When we activated his visa, the POE was small enough that we could hear what the BP guy in the window was asking people. there was an interesting range of questions which I can't remember right now-but it wasn't the same question asked of each car, even though the answers were pretty similar(pretty much everyone was heading down to go shopping)

That's usually asked more from a customs issue... Certain types of employment could result in you taking in stuff (like samples or product if a salesman)... or drugs if a doctor.. etc.

Ohhhh, okay. Well that makes sense. Thank you.

How can they know how long you stay if you cross at borders that dont even look at computers or demand for ur passport??