Visiting the US with a CR-1 visa

[montreal girl 0]

I booked a ticket by plane to Chicago to go see my husband on the 26th of December till the 12th of january.

I read that usually some people dont have a problem being let through. Does anyone have a story about their experience or what questions they were asked at by the border patrol officer?

I have a letter from my employer stating that I am currently still a full time employee at my job, last years taxes, my cell phone statments, my car insurance statements and bank statements. I still live with my parents so dont have much to my name...will this be enough proof of my ties to Canada in the case they ask? I also heard its good to bring your approved I-130 form?

HELP!!! I LEAVE IN 8 DAYS!

[the__tourist 0]

Definitely bring your NOA1. It shows that you understand the immigration process and are following the procedures. Basically it will help show that you wouldn't spend the money to file if you were planning to just fly here and adjust your status.

[Done--Really 331]

But at the end of the day it is a ####### shoot--did the CBP person have a bad fight with their spouse, do they have an axe to grind with Canadians,are they fighting the flu--you get the idea.

[montreal girl 0]

Ok i am totally ignorant...its my husband and lawyer who have been doing everything on the legal side...but what is NOA1??? hahah...my lawyer sent me by email the approved I-130 thingy saying that my case was now being transferred over to the NVC. is that what we are talking about?

I really hope i dont get refused at the airport...its the only time i get time off work for the holidays to visit...i havent seen my husband for 2 months and i am depressed.

But at the end of the day it is a ####### shoot--did the CBP person have a bad fight with their spouse, do they have an axe to grind with Canadians,are they fighting the flu--you get the idea.

[amazing2010 0]

just 2 months and u r depresssed all u need is patient be ready for eth...you cud b refused to enter bcoz after entering us it is goin to b easierfor you to Change the stauts...they wmight not care abt ur ties...but still hope for the best n b prepared for the worst...

[Amy and Nick 37]

An NOA1 is the reciept you recieve from the USCIS when they initially accept your petition into their system for review.

An NOA2 is the approval reciept for the I-130.

Sounds like the lawyer recieved your NOA2!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You cannot possibly have a CR-1 visa and I doubt that you have ANY visa for that matter, not even a tourist visa (B2). I believe you have nothing but an approved I-130. Yet since you are a Canadian citizen, you can visit the US freely for up to 6 months with just nothing and there is no reason why a CBP Officer should deny you entry over when visiting over the holidays.

Can I guarantee that you will allowed entry? No.

Can I guarantee that the world won't come to an end at Midnight of New Year's eve? Also no.

[montreal girl 0]

dude, right now...everything has been filed and paid. Were just waiting for the NVC to close our case and wait for our interview. I dont HAVE the CR-1 visa but its been filed. I just wanted to know if when they scan my passport and see that there is a visa being proccessed if it would cause a problem for visiting the States for 2 weeks. I wouldnt change my status and throw away all the money I spent thus far while im at litterally my last stages.

[Amy and Nick 37]

If you do a search on the forums here you will see MANY threads about this topic. Some people have trouble entering, some people dont. As magical stated, at the end of the day, the CBP is a human being, and if theyre having a crappy day, you could get the brunt of it.

HOWEVER, you SHOULD be fine. The best thing you can do is be prepared. Take proof of the filed I-130, proof of the NOA2, proof of rent to pay, bills, school/job to go back to - anything that shows ties to Canada.

IF you are pulled into secondary inspection, calmly explain what you are saying here - WHY would you have spent the money if you didnt intend to go through with it.

The way I see it, its not that big a deal. Yeah, you want to see your hubby, so do we all, but try it. Youll most likely be fine, but worst case scenario, you go home and he has to come see you...

I wish you the best of luck, but sometimes its best not to overthink things (something im slowly learning!)

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

If you do a search on the forums here you will see MANY threads about this topic. Some people have trouble entering, some people dont. As magical stated, at the end of the day, the CBP is a human being, and if theyre having a crappy day, you could get the brunt of it.

HOWEVER, you SHOULD be fine. The best thing you can do is be prepared. Take proof of the filed I-130, proof of the NOA2, proof of rent to pay, bills, school/job to go back to - anything that shows ties to Canada.

IF you are pulled into secondary inspection, calmly explain what you are saying here - WHY would you have spent the money if you didnt intend to go through with it.

The way I see it, its not that big a deal. Yeah, you want to see your hubby, so do we all, but try it. Youll most likely be fine, but worst case scenario, you go home and he has to come see you...

I wish you the best of luck, but sometimes its best not to overthink things (something im slowly learning!)

I agree completely. They are near the end of their journey, have an employment letter and a roundtrip airfare ticket. She should breeze through CBP.

[montreal girl 0]

Thanks everyone!!! you all rule and good luck to everyone in their journeys....