So I may be putting the cart b4 the horse, but.....I know you can only cross once on K1, but what about the time between the Interview and getting the Visa (ie, the 3-7 business days)?? My fiancee' is a truck driver, crossing the border almost daily at times...can he still travel on the assumed "visitor's visa" until he gets the K1???

Yup. All "ties to Canada" rules apply, though. He can even cross with the visa in his passport as long as he makes it clear to them that he's not using it until a later date. Totally up to the officer as to whether they allow him to or not, though.

my spreadsheet shows that right now, the average is 6 days... I'm kinda hoping that average drops a little...

Really...can someone clarify this? I am pretty sure he HAS to use the Visa to cross when he does physically receive it??

THERE'S been cases of people successfully doing this..

but it's really up in the air

there's always the possibility of him being forced to use it..................

I crossed multiple times with the visa in my passport without using it. All I did was let them know I was using it at a later date because I had a house to sell and a job to resign from first. They were fine with it. Can't say everyone will have the same experience, though.

When I received my visa, part of the explanation I was given with it is that I can enter the US without activating it. I would need to explain at the POE that I wasn't activating it on that trip. But once I activate it, I have to stay in the US until the next step is approved. I didn't ask about that; it's just part of what was told to me.

I crossed all the time after I rec'd my visa. I just did not activate the K1. I had no problems at all. Being a truckdriver and crossing the border a lot he should be used to all the questions.

Thanks all! I must be going crazy, but I thought someone posted that you HAVE to activate the Visa on your next visit to US. This helps tremendously!! (but we're still going to ask at the interview....AFTER he's been approved of course, LOL)

When doing that, one just has to haver a plan in case the POE dude wont allow you to enter.

Awhile back there was 1 Canadian K1'er that travelled back and forth between USA and canada AFTER activating her K1 visa (she had no AP or AOS) and on 1 trip back into the USA she got denied!! had to start the immigration process all over again!! Of course this is different than ur scenario. Im just yipping, tryi8ng not to study,lol

You probably did see that posted. There's a lot of misinformation everywhere.... not just on VJ. It's always good to do your research, though, so good for you for asking the question. Just because someone says it loudly enough, or writes it convincingly enough, doesn't always mean it's true.

He has a FAST card, too, right? So generally not too many questions on the border for him, anyway? Just remember that he will be without his passport for that week, too.

I'm lost on the actual question now, but anyway.
I had the interview Wed Sept 12, I just checked Canada Post and it said the package was sent out for delivery at 8:40 today, Tues Sept 18.

Hmm I thought it was Wednesday today, stupid night shifts UGHHHHHHH

Well, thank goodness that's different! The worst fear come true...thanks, Flames, LOL....get back to the books buddy

Yep, AND his Nexus card; they don't usually ask much when he's in the truck, but you never know what's in that darn computer of theirs! Not sure how the K1 will affect his FAST card view to them...anyone? anyone?

We've had a couple "shack rats" (our new name for the guards ) that have given us a hard time. We've been pulled in twice now, so I always carry my immigration accordian file.



Which is why I tell ANYONE going thru this he** about my friends at VJ! Thanks for the vote of confidence, Krikit.

I'm pretty sure that Zyggy went into this in detail awhile back .. I'll see if I can find the post.

Okay, new update here on time.. BTW, I was here all day waiting on the mailman...I checked the mail at 4:10 pm and there was nothing but a flyer. I took the dog out at 7pm and got the notice that a$$ was here at 4pm???? I have call display, he never even buzzed me. So I have to wait till after 1pm tomorrow. I already tried getting it tonight.

My interview was Sept 12th.

Date of Event Time of Event Location Description Retail Location Signatory Name
2007/09/18 08:40 KINGSTON, ON Item out for delivery
2007/09/17 09:01 MONTRÉAL, QC Item accepted at the Post office

Found that post from Zyggy:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;#entry907523

Oh Tinker .. so sorry you missed your mailman!!!

I did NOT miss him, his lazy a$$ didn't bother buzzing me.....
I reread the OP's post

That thread adds support to my misinformation post. We specifically asked the officer at the Montréal Consulate whether we could cross the border without using the K-1 visa. He told us "There is no policy that states that it has to be used and so, technically, the answer is yes." He also stated "However, I cannot guarantee that the agents at the border have the same understanding of the policy as we do."

Luckily, all the agents I encountered had the same understanding of the policy so I never ran into any problems. I'm sure there are just as many stories of them not having the same understanding, though, too. It's border roulette.

Typical Canada Post employee. (With apologies to the good ones.) You're gonna love USPS, Tinker.

I had one lazy HUGE-a$$ Canada Post employee who actually had the nerve to tell me to move my mailbox 10 feet closer to the driveway so she didn't have to "walk all that way" to deliver my mail. Un frickin believable.

YAY, thanks Krikit, I'm not crazy I knew it was somewhere, but shocked it came from Zyggy, as he seems to be very well-versed in all this cr@p. Curious, where do you cross? We are close to the tunnel and bridge in Detroit, & there are a COUPLE agents who are real di@ks to Doug everytime he comes over without the truck!

I always crossed at the Buffalo/Fort Erie Peace Bridge and Queenston/Lewiston. My experience at Windsor/Detroit is to avoid it like the plague. LOL

Great idea; wish I could!

I just called U.S. Customs at the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit/Windsor) and the customs officer that answered said that you have to activate it right away. She said as a matter of fact, I'm not supposed to even be crossing the border at all during the process. I think it's ridiculous, how are you supposed to keep an ongoing relationship if they don't want you to cross the border to see your fiance.

Ask 10 border guards,u will get 10 different answers, and all you get is high blood pressure!!!

I replied in other post.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1204845

Ok, so I did some calling, and confimed it's all in who you talk to:

Ambassador Bridge: Officer Pelk informed me Doug can cross under the "visitor's visa" status until he physically gets his K1 Visa....and even after that, he doesn't have to activate the K-1 until he's ready to move; also said they do NOT do the EAD stamp there. Would NOT give his badge # over the phone.

Detroit/Windsor Tunnel: After calling around to get the RIGHT phone # for the tunnel office (# on CPB website disconnected w/no further info....YEP, FIGURES), Officer Miller told me the same about waiting for the K1; Doug can cross under "visitor visa"...."just tell him not to bring any stuff with him". He also told me Doug HAS to activate his K1 on his next trip over after receiving it...again, no EAD stamp, and again, no badge #.

It's a crap shoot!!! My US tax dollars at work, sigh.....