Crossing into Canada after filing I-130

[tt83 0]

Hi all,

I realize this has probably been posted a zillion times, but everything I've read is from a few years ago so I want to be sure I am getting the most up to date information. I My husband and I have been married since January, and we are unsure what to tell the border officials. I know that sounds stupid but we are both completely new at this. We have filed our paperwork as of May, and we have the first notice that everything was received. I would like to know basically what is the best way to cross to ensure that we neither of us will be banned or that our application will not be put into jeopardy. He lives full time in Canada, is not a permanent resident of the US and does not work here. I am the USC and I live fulltime in the US and work full time in the US, so we are just visiting each other (we live in border towns.) Does anyone have any experience with this or good advice to give me? What documents should I bring? Should I bring all of my copies of the petition? All I am reading are horror stories and now I am paralyzed with fear at visiting my husband in Canada!

[sumit381 2]

There shouldn't be any issues with visiting your husband in Canada. I am in the same boat as you. My wife is a Canadian citizen and I go to Canada often to visit her. I just went this Monday and am going again this Friday. All you need is your US passport. Your husband can't come to the US though. He can I suppose but that can pose issues. But there shouldn't be any issues with you visiting him in Canada (since your immigration process is taking place in the US, not Canada). I just tell the border agents that I'm going to visit my wife. Be honest. I haven't had a single problem yet.

Hope that helps.

Edited June 12, 2013 by sumit381

[hikergirl 277]

My husband flew up for a visit in Oct. CBSA asked him about the marriage because he’d said he was visiting his wife. He told them he was sponsoring me down and they said okay, have a wonderful visit. They didn’t ask for proof but he did have the NOA1 with him to show.

Proof of ties to Canada have been requested from Canadians crossing down. Leases, letter from employer or paystubs, a copy of the NOA1 - it shows you have filed and are following procedure, anything to show he’s going to go back to Canada are good to carry.

If you’re planning on travelling cross-border a lot, a NEXUS card can come in handy for both driving and flying. It’s available for both of you and it simplifies your process at the border.

Also, if you are worried for yourself, bring similar documents to what your hubby could carry. Proof of ties to the US. You shouldn’t need it but it could be nice for your peace of mind.

I’ve travelled down a couple of times to see my hubby and a lot of the border couples travel down frequently. It’s not as scary as some people will tell you.

Edited June 12, 2013 by hikergirl

[Miss Niss 0]

I am canadian and my husband is a USC. We are in the middle of our waiting (case currently at NVC) and we visit each other often. When I visit him I need to show ties to Canada, like pay stubs, bills, lease agreements ect., but when he visits me he has never had any problems. He just says he is visiting his wife, and they let him through.

Just be honest with them, and you shouldn't have any issues.

[kitchen_princess 1]

I was really nervous about crossing over from Canada to visit my USC husband in the US last month. I'm a PhD student and was afraid they wouldn't consider this a strong enough tie to Canada. Also, I rent, so it's not like I could produce a house deed or proof of mortgage. And to top it all off, I was travelling with our infant son, and was so afraid they would think I was trying to sneak in with him - but then, the whole point was to allow us to spend time together as a family.

I carried with me a copy of our I-130 petition and NOA1. I had a letter from my supervisor stating that I imperatively needed to be back in September (I was actually only staying a couple of weeks, but I'm on parental leave until the fall). I had bank statements, utility bills, and proof that I had previously entered the US without ever overstaying.

As it turned out, they barely looked at me twice. The US border agent smiled at my son and was really nice. When I explained that my husband had just started working in the US, he asked me what I was planning to do, and after I explained that we were filing for immigration and that I was just visiting in the meantime, he let me through without even asking me what my occupation was, or anything. Of course, it's still best to be prepared, and I will be bringing all my documentation next time, but it was much less scary than I had feared. Just tell the truth and you'll be fine.

[NikLR 13,227]

*** moving to Canada forums as the question specifically deals with border crossings from USA to Canada ***

____________

I crossed quite a bit to visit my husband in the USA. Just be honest and bring proof that he has ties to Canada. I used to bring a letter from my employer stating when I'll be back, the bill for my renters insurance which came out monthly, a pay recent pay stub and a phone bill as they're expensive to just cut off willy nilly.

[tt83 0]

Thank you all so much for your honest and non-patronizing answers! I guess sometimes reading these types of forums when looking for an answer to a question can be a bit like going to WebMD to look up your symptoms, you'll always come away thinking you have a debilitating disease! Thanks again, and wish me luck!

[britishdakota 18]

Your husband can't come to the US though. He can I suppose but that can pose issues.

That is completely untrue and misinformation should not be spread on this forum.

The best thing for both of you is to bring proof of your ties to your home country; it can also be helpful to have information from your immigration applications in particular anything showing you are going for consular processing and doing everything the legal and the right way. This kind of situation happens all the time in border towns and most Canadians have no issues entering the USA.

[hikergirl 277]

That is completely untrue and misinformation should not be spread on this forum.

The best thing for both of you is to bring proof of your ties to your home country; it can also be helpful to have information from your immigration applications in particular anything showing you are going for consular processing and doing everything the legal and the right way. This kind of situation happens all the time in border towns and most Canadians have no issues entering the USA.

Good catch. I completely missed that line when I was reading!

[Autumnal 25]

The main point is to be honest and upfront about what you are doing. Having proof of 'ties to Canada' is also important, such as the evidence suggested (NOA1 letter, evidence of home ownership or rental, studies, etc.). Canadians go back and forth so often that it's hardly shocking they enter the US. I always came prepared to explain what I was doing in the US and what held me in Canada, but I think the majority of border officials are friendly and diligent.

[tt83 0]

Thank you all for your honest answers! The first time I crossed, they didn't even bat an eye when I said I was going to visit my husband. They didn't even ask to see my paperwork! I still carry it with me whenever I cross, but I guess I was worried about nothing!

[NikLR 13,227]

Thank you all for your honest answers! The first time I crossed, they didn't even bat an eye when I said I was going to visit my husband. They didn't even ask to see my paperwork! I still carry it with me whenever I cross, but I guess I was worried about nothing!

LOL I was exactly like you the first time I crossed... So nervous! Glad to know you're doing well.

[Ms Hogan 295]

There shouldn't be any issues with visiting your husband in Canada. I am in the same boat as you. My wife is a Canadian citizen and I go to Canada often to visit her. I just went this Monday and am going again this Friday. All you need is your US passport. Your husband can't come to the US though. He can I suppose but that can pose issues. But there shouldn't be any issues with you visiting him in Canada (since your immigration process is taking place in the US, not Canada). I just tell the border agents that I'm going to visit my wife. Be honest. I haven't had a single problem yet.

Hope that helps.

Comment in bold text is nonsense. Your Canadian spouse can visit you in the U.S. as long as the border officers lets them in. Simple. I visited my husband every other weekend during our entire application process.

ETA: ALWAYS be honest at the border and only answer the questions that are being asked. You don't need to say anything other than the accurate response to the actual question. Be prepared to possibly be denied because it is up to each individual officer. Bring ties to show you're coming back to Canada in case it is asked for. For the record, I crossed the border every 3 weeks or so during the 3.5 years before I married my husband and was never asked for ties. I was very fortunate. But my advice is based on my experience and lots of reading on this forum.

Edited July 10, 2013 by MsHogan