Visiting my Canadian wife.

[armstrob 0]

Hey all, I'm not sure if this is the right area to post, so I apologize in advance if that's the case. Anyway, here's what's going on.

I recently filed the I-130 for my Canadian wife, who is currently in Canada. We've read countless forum posts on Visa Journey stating it's legal to visit the us while the form is being processed. Well, today she tried getting through, and was denied access. I think the main problem is that she really has no ties to Canada.(No job, lives with her dad, etc) She was told that she needed the immigrant visa before she could come back.

My question is, will there be any issues if I(the us citizen) go to Canada to visit her? It's going to be way to painful to be apart for the entire process of the immigrant visa. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[OBX 51]

Hey all, I'm not sure if this is the right area to post, so I apologize in advance if that's the case. Anyway, here's what's going on.

I recently filed the I-130 for my Canadian wife, who is currently in Canada. We've read countless forum posts on Visa Journey stating it's legal to visit the us while the form is being processed. Well, today she tried getting through, and was denied access. I think the main problem is that she really has no ties to Canada.(No job, lives with her dad, etc) She was told that she needed the immigrant visa before she could come back.

My question is, will there be any issues if I(the us citizen) go to Canada to visit her? It's going to be way to painful to be apart for the entire process of the immigrant visa. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry about your wife's denial but unfortunately without ties it does happen. I chose not to test my luck and did not travel at all to the US until I had my visa. My husband visited me numerous times from the US and had absolutely no issues at all. You should be fine.

Edited August 28, 2010 by OBX

[armstrob 0]

Thanks for the quick response OBX. When your husband went through border security, did he say specifically he was visiting you (his wife)? I've never had to go through customs or anything, so i'm unaware of what to expect.

[Flames9_RN 358]

My wife visited Canada--gf, fiance then wife,lol and she never had a problem! Same thing applies, you should have proof of ties to the USA. Just be honest with the questions they wil ask you at the POE (port of entry) My advice in my signature would stil apply for a USA citizen visiting Canada! My wife never had a problem

[OBX 51]

Thanks for the quick response OBX. When your husband went through border security, did he say specifically he was visiting you (his wife)? I've never had to go through customs or anything, so i'm unaware of what to expect.

He always crossed at the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie/Buffalo). When they asked him the purpose of his visit he would say family, they would then ask him where, he would give them the name of my town and was never questioned more than that. IMO always answer the questions directly, do not provide any excess information unless asked. Always be honest and you should have no problems. I'm sure others while chime in with their experiences. Good luck!

[canadian_wife 1,795]

My husband visited me multiple times after I was denied entry. He only had an issue once (it was after a particularly long visit followed by a short trip back to the US then an attempt to re-enter) wher they asked him for ties to the US. Easily given and he was admitted.

He had a small issue where his trunk was inspected when he returned to the US to see what items of mine he was bringing in.

Other than that, no issues. I doubt the Canadians even knew about my denial into the US

GOod luck

PS - sorry about the denial, it does stink a lot. If she tries to ever re-enter, she'll needs truly substantial ties to be admitted. Until then, she probably shouldn't try.

[Marilyn. 340]

my husband visited me abut every other month... sometimes he was questioned thoroughly other times they just let him through... I would get worried sometimes because I would be waiting there for an hour or so after his plane landed but he never was turned back..

he would always fly and he never took ties to the US with him... I don't know if he said he was visiting his wife or not though

[neiks 19]

When you got to Canada to visit your wife just answer the questions asked by Canada Customs. If they ask purpose of your trip - just tell them to visit your wife and if your questioned more just tell them your working on her immigration to come to the US. It's really not a big deal. People visit their spouses back and forth all the time while waiting for immigration. Only reason that you may have problems is if you are planning a long visit, are bringing your entire household with you, or you just don't have any substantial ties to the US such as a job, residence or other reason to return to.

There really is no reason to try to "skirt the issue" that your visiting your wife in Canada by saying "family" instead of "your wife". If anything if you said "visiting family" and you were questioned further to who you were visiting and then said "wife" I would be suspicious of why you just didn't say "wife" and what you were trying to "hide".