Crossing while CR-1 in process

[Karebear 13]

I am CAN, my FH is USC. We are going to file for the CR-1 visa. Right now I cross freely, as we live in a border city. After filing, has anyone still been able to cross to go shopping, visit, etc??

[ricnally 258]

You know CR 1 is for those who are already married, right?

[ValPrime 1]

My husband is Canadian and lives on the border also. He travels back and forth biweekly for shopping and gas and has never been denied entry. We also travel back and forth via plane every other month for visits and never been denied entry. You just have to make sure you are always honest with them and when traveling to visit spouse show proof that you will be returning...return plane tickets, job, etc. When we travel via plane they usually ask questions....why do you and your spouse live so far apart? how did you meet? and so on. I always explained where we were in the visa process and explained how we met.

We have never had an issue with frequent crossings....but from what I have read from others be prepared to be denied entry. It is always a possibility.

Hope I helped in some way.

[Karebear 13]

You know CR 1 is for those who are already married, right?

Yes, I do. Our wedding date is coming up.

[Karebear 13]

My husband is Canadian and lives on the border also. He travels back and forth biweekly for shopping and gas and has never been denied entry. We also travel back and forth via plane every other month for visits and never been denied entry. You just have to make sure you are always honest with them and when traveling to visit spouse show proof that you will be returning...return plane tickets, job, etc. When we travel via plane they usually ask questions....why do you and your spouse live so far apart? how did you meet? and so on. I always explained where we were in the visa process and explained how we met.

We have never had an issue with frequent crossings....but from what I have read from others be prepared to be denied entry. It is always a possibility.

Hope I helped in some way.

Thanks, this is what I thought. Just wanted a little reassurance. Anyone can be denied at anytime for any reason.

[NikLR 13,227]

Other people have visited every weekend and it's fine. Just bring your proof of ties to Canada or the USA (whichever spouse is crossing where) and be honest about intentions. I always say "I'm visiting my husband." It leads to a few more questions than have a nice trip, but I have a job and always have a return ticket.

[LA and CF 9]

during the whole process i have been regularly to the US for shoping and visits with my fiance, its only been since our file went into noa2 and passed nvc that our congress rep told us (later comfirmed by border agents) that it is now best that i do not travel across until i have my visa in hand and am ready to move. They said that traveling this close to the end of the process could appear shady in the file...

didnt understand that part too well and they bassically told me at the border when i called them up that it would look wrong going across shoping for clothes with couple months left till visa in hand.. i was like hmm ok, not sure why but i can wait.

anyways, during the whole submissions, and waiting for noa2 i have not had a signle problem, just let them know that our papers were being processed and we promised not to get married while shopping

we got our noa2 may 3rd i believe, and papers got to the embassy here in montreal this morning, now we are just waiting for pack 3 and them appointment, so we figure we can wait a bit before crossing the border for some ben and jerrys

my suggestion would be call the border office near you, or the one you use the most to go over the border, they will let you know the best thing to do as well as any precautions or things to avoid

[A_Singh 21]

Done that so many times, no issue. I live on the other side of the border, travel back and forth so many times. Just be honest, ensure you have stuff like car lease, rental lease, employment letter, pay stubs and all tha details to show that you are canadian (either resident or citizen) and will return back and have no intent of staying there permanently and file adjustment of status and all.

[hikergirl 277]

I have had no issues either.

I do have a NEXUS card though. They’re extremely handy for speed at the airport but members here who have them say they’re handy at the land border crossings as well.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to Canada regional forum; topic is about Canada-US border crossing procedures and not a spouse visa case status update.