As a Canadian (married to American) can i visit during I-130 processing?

[roshee 0]

My husband ( as of march 12) and I , like all the rest of you out there, want to be together as soon as we can.

We have looked at his coming to Canada and my going to AZ.

We have begun the process of my going to the States.

We don't even know if it is allowed to have him apply to come to Canada at the same time as I apply to go there ? Has anyone done this?

My main question right now is....

How can I get to go to see him for a month this summer?

I have both a Canadian and a British passport.

I have heard horror stories about how I cant go there at all to visit now??? and about how long this visa k3 and I-130 can take. We had no idea it would be like this and are feeling so down today.

We are new to this site and I am so glad we found it now!

Hope to hear from any one of you who can offer any input!

Thanks so much.

[Reba 2]

Yes, you can visit the US while your petitions are in process. Just have obvious and strong ties to Canada, like a job, a home, bills to pay etc. There's no guarantee they'll let you in, but lots of people do it all the time. See the Canada forum and have a search for similar topics for more tips.

And what do you mean have him apply to Canada at the same time? you mean have your husband apply for permanent residency to Canada at the same time as he's petitioning for you to move to the US? You could try it, but if either immigration office finds out somehow, one or both will be rejected outright if they think you're not serious about becoming a permanent resident of either particular country. Pick one and work on that. If it doesn't work out, *then* do the other one.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

Yes, you can visit the US while your petitions are in process. Just have obvious and strong ties to Canada, like a job, a home, bills to pay etc. There's no guarantee they'll let you in, but lots of people do it all the time. See the Canada forum and have a search for similar topics for more tips.

And what do you mean have him apply to Canada at the same time? you mean have your husband apply for permanent residency to Canada at the same time as he's petitioning for you to move to the US? You could try it, but if either immigration office finds out somehow, one or both will be rejected outright if they think you're not serious about becoming a permanent resident of either particular country. Pick one and work on that. If it doesn't work out, *then* do the other one.

Rejection on what grounds???

Do you have any info on this?

[roshee 0]

Yes, you can visit the US while your petitions are in process. Just have obvious and strong ties to Canada, like a job, a home, bills to pay etc. There's no guarantee they'll let you in, but lots of people do it all the time. See the Canada forum and have a search for similar topics for more tips.

And what do you mean have him apply to Canada at the same time? you mean have your husband apply for permanent residency to Canada at the same time as he's petitioning for you to move to the US? You could try it, but if either immigration office finds out somehow, one or both will be rejected outright if they think you're not serious about becoming a permanent resident of either particular country. Pick one and work on that. If it doesn't work out, *then* do the other one.

Thanks for your input Reba ! That was so nice of you to let me know your thoughts and confirm what we had wondered about doing both processes at the same time. I pray I can get in to see him this summer or I feel like I will go nuts! I live in far northern Ontario, small town.... I don't like feeling like I have no control over anything! Looks like you and your husband had to wait quite a while to be able to live together. Glad it all seems to have worked out for you both!

[Reba 2]

Rejection on what grounds???

Do you have any info on this?

Rejection on the grounds that USCIS would consider that the couple do not intend to live permanently in the US, so why should they bother to process the petitions and applications?

There was a Can/Am couple a few years ago who had both processes going, the Canadian half was living in the USA with a 2 year green card and application in to remove conditions, (IIRC) and they sent in the applications to CIC for her husband to be able to move to Canada. She went home for a short visit, and upon her attempt to return to her husband in the US, border officials recinded her green card, they said because she did not actually intend to live permanently in the US but in Canada. How it came up I have no idea, but she ended up stuck in Canada for a year and a half while her husband was in the US waiting on CIC to approve his applications.

roshee, yes, my husband and I went thru hell with both immigration processes. We were close to our 3rd wedding anniversary before we were able to actually live together in the same country. Lots of people are able to visit during the process though, so don't fret too much about it. I was able to visit for about 5 months after I'd lost my job up home. Then I had to go back and wait and wait and wait...

We'll be re-starting the Canadian immigration ####### this year. I wanna go home.

[itsallgreektome 0]

Yes, you can visit the US while your petitions are in process. Just have obvious and strong ties to Canada, like a job, a home, bills to pay etc. There's no guarantee they'll let you in, but lots of people do it all the time. See the Canada forum and have a search for similar topics for more tips.

And what do you mean have him apply to Canada at the same time? you mean have your husband apply for permanent residency to Canada at the same time as he's petitioning for you to move to the US? You could try it, but if either immigration office finds out somehow, one or both will be rejected outright if they think you're not serious about becoming a permanent resident of either particular country. Pick one and work on that. If it doesn't work out, *then* do the other one.

Thanks for your input Reba ! That was so nice of you to let me know your thoughts and confirm what we had wondered about doing both processes at the same time. I pray I can get in to see him this summer or I feel like I will go nuts! I live in far northern Ontario, small town.... I don't like feeling like I have no control over anything! Looks like you and your husband had to wait quite a while to be able to live together. Glad it all seems to have worked out for you both!

Hi there,

I am from the Toronto area and I visited my husband who lived in Iowa quite afew times. I only had a problem once and it wasn't so bad. I don't think you will have a problem visiting him but it is a good idea to have proof that you will be returning to Canada. There were afew times that the border officer just said to me "you can't stay longer than 6 months...o.k.". As far as applying to both countries, it doesn't make sense. You need decide which country you are going to live in. I spent alot of time in the u.s. while waiting for my k-3 interview in Montreal. Good Luck

[roshee 0]

Yes, you can visit the US while your petitions are in process. Just have obvious and strong ties to Canada, like a job, a home, bills to pay etc. There's no guarantee they'll let you in, but lots of people do it all the time. See the Canada forum and have a search for similar topics for more tips.

And what do you mean have him apply to Canada at the same time? you mean have your husband apply for permanent residency to Canada at the same time as he's petitioning for you to move to the US? You could try it, but if either immigration office finds out somehow, one or both will be rejected outright if they think you're not serious about becoming a permanent resident of either particular country. Pick one and work on that. If it doesn't work out, *then* do the other one.

Thanks for your input Reba ! That was so nice of you to let me know your thoughts and confirm what we had wondered about doing both processes at the same time. I pray I can get in to see him this summer or I feel like I will go nuts! I live in far northern Ontario, small town.... I don't like feeling like I have no control over anything! Looks like you and your husband had to wait quite a while to be able to live together. Glad it all seems to have worked out for you both!

Hi there,

I am from the Toronto area and I visited my husband who lived in Iowa quite afew times. I only had a problem once and it wasn't so bad. I don't think you will have a problem visiting him but it is a good idea to have proof that you will be returning to Canada. There were afew times that the border officer just said to me "you can't stay longer than 6 months...o.k.". As far as applying to both countries, it doesn't make sense. You need decide which country you are going to live in. I spent alot of time in the u.s. while waiting for my k-3 interview in Montreal. Good Luck

Your input has put a smile on my face today. I AM SO THANKFUL that you 'gals' took the time to give me some advice and words of encouragement! I can't wait til July now! I am going to ask my employers for letters that I have a job to return to and that I am of good character, photocopy my bank statement in June and see what else I can take as evidence that I shall return 'home' after my visit. I will let you know how it goes :-) All the best to all of you out there.

[roshee 0]

WOW , Rebecca! 3 years for you two! I see you are now doing the paperwork for the two of you to return to Canada. GOOD LUCK!! I hope all goes a LOT faster for you! I am going to give living in the USA with hubby a try for a bit, and then we will see if Canada is the better route to go for us after that.

SO, just to confirm, I dont, as a Canadian filing for US, need a B 2 visa then?? Just evidence I am going to be returning here - so that I can show this to the border people at Pearson airport?

Have a good day/night!

Roshee

Rejection on what grounds???

Do you have any info on this?

Rejection on the grounds that USCIS would consider that the couple do not intend to live permanently in the US, so why should they bother to process the petitions and applications?

There was a Can/Am couple a few years ago who had both processes going, the Canadian half was living in the USA with a 2 year green card and application in to remove conditions, (IIRC) and they sent in the applications to CIC for her husband to be able to move to Canada. She went home for a short visit, and upon her attempt to return to her husband in the US, border officials recinded her green card, they said because she did not actually intend to live permanently in the US but in Canada. How it came up I have no idea, but she ended up stuck in Canada for a year and a half while her husband was in the US waiting on CIC to approve his applications.

roshee, yes, my husband and I went thru hell with both immigration processes. We were close to our 3rd wedding anniversary before we were able to actually live together in the same country. Lots of people are able to visit during the process though, so don't fret too much about it. I was able to visit for about 5 months after I'd lost my job up home. Then I had to go back and wait and wait and wait...

We'll be re-starting the Canadian immigration ####### this year. I wanna go home.

[Reba 2]

No, you do not need a B2 visa, just your passport and evidence that you will in fact be returning to Canada when you say you will.

[darcy_cene 0]

No, you do not need a B2 visa, just your passport and evidence that you will in fact be returning to Canada when you say you will.

Im not taking a chance on crossing the border and trying to go home (Arkansas) for a visit..I was refused entry Feb 2007 and just dont have the nerve to even go close to the border till I'm through with immigration. Way I see it red flagged once, is red flagged till I have permanant status in hand. I fully understand the ups and downs, high times and low times, and the worse is the frustration when it all seems to take forever, with no real clear reason as to why or how come's..Hang in there, and hope for the best..

Darcy