Using Nexus Card while visiting

[RobertnLaura 2]

Hi all - we just received email notice of receipt of our original application today (so I expect official notice in a week or two) - Yay!

Does anyone know if it is okay to use Nexus for visiting as we move through this process and/or if I need to make any adjustments to it? Currently, we are Buffalo/Toronto so we visit back and forth really often (almost every weekend). We also have tons of summer plans in both countries. I have my Toronto House tax and utility bills so I think I am prepared to establish that I will be returning but I just do not want to make any border crossing mistakes.

Any ideas?

[pro_star 52]

Don't know about nexus but I know I did a couple normal border crossings when I was in the middle of the k1 applications.

[Loki_Go 126]

Hey! When you say you received an email notice of receipt do you mean for the Nexus application or for your K1? I'm Windsor-Cleveland and I just applied for my Nexus card last night for primarily visiting purposes. Like you we're back and forth every weekend too. Do you mean visiting while the K1 is in process?

[Krikit 1,163]

Yes, you can use it. The Peace Bridge has always been the best for understanding the situation and process so maybe stick with them. Or do you go Whirlpool? Lewiston is coming up to speed if that area is closer to his home, but they are always way too busy for my liking. Rainbow absolutely never ever. lol

[canadianplum 20]

Hey! I'm not a K1, but was CR1 and I traveled back and forth often using my Nexus, never had an issue. Always brought my paperwork just in case but they never said anything to me, just the normal "have a nice day" as you drive through. Bring your backup to show ties to home to be prepared every time, but I doubt you'll have an issue. It's possible of course, if you get a jerk officer, but I did it quiet often (would travel every other week to get cheap gas) and always went right through. Actually I just remembered, one time I got called in for secondary screening, and they asked me a couple questions - NOTHING about my pending visa application and let me through.

[Lights 56]

I used my nexus all the time when crossing by plane... no issues over here. I'd be ask "who are you visiting?" and I said "My fiance", there was a few times where the agent asked what our plans were and we just said we are following K1 procedures. They would congratulate us on getting engaged and then just let me through. I also brought back up (i.e. other flight itineraries coming out of Vancouver because I travel for work within US and Canada, my mortgage papers, and utility bills).

[mrs thb 331]

I had a K1 visa but cancelled it, and now am waiting on a CR1. While waiting for the K1 (and currently waiting for the CR1) I used my nexus tons of times at lewiston, rainbow, lower bridge (for nexus users only) and peace, and at yyz without any problems whatsoever. I've always travelled with supporting documents and always with my passport, just in case. I always tell the truth. and have never been questioned (touch wood!). But, be forewarned, once you have the K1 visa in your passport, it is a one time activation. You may want to curb your visits to the US once K1 visa is in hand, well, that is until your ready to POE. The USC is welcome to visit you, however.

[Rob L 3,811]

1. Always tell the truth

Carry proof of connection that will bring you back home : Lease, Employment contract , Family obligation

Don't have a car full of belongings like the Beverly Hillbillies that looks like you are moving

[RobertnLaura 2]

Wow - I can't thank you enough for all your responses.

Loki_Go, I was referring to the K1 email. I have loved my Nexus card for several years now.

Krikit, Rob is currently in the Angola area so I have been using Peace for the most part. if I am travelling North or East, I use Whirlpool if Rob is not with me (he has just recently applied for Nexus). If he is, we have used Rainbow since Lewiston has been such a mess over the last few years but I think they have improved just recently.

I am so pleased to hear the using nexus is acceptable.

Does anyone know the point at which the border people know that the K1 is underway?

PS - I never lie. I am fundamentally a rules person and frankly, they have the authority to take my car; I like my car. Oh, and they can take my Nexus card which i also like - a lot!

[Krikit 1,163]

There's a Wegmans on the way to Angola! I may be Wegmans-obsessed.

What's it like travelling across Whirlpool? I've never done that yet. Is it automated?... as in can I use EZpass?

Lewiston is a terrible POE. They're definitely improving, though.

CBP does not have access to the K-1 information at the primary checkpoint. They just have the basic data which pops up when they scan your card. If you're sent to secondary they'll add the info into the database, but it's not an issue with them.

[RobertnLaura 2]

I am not worried about CBP - I am Canadian and currently a Canadian resident so I think they care not what I am doing in the US (unless i am bringing too much stuff back). it is just entering the US that gives me pause in this process. I gather since when filing the initial K1 petition, they do not ask for my SIN number or passport number, they do not know I am doing this yet, right? In either case, I am armed with property tax bills and utility bills, as well as a voter card and a doctor's appointment scheduled in July and August. Hoping that will suffice for now. Next time I take my dad to the doctor, i will ask him for a letter stating that I am dad's primary caregiver as well.

Whirlpool is great! I just got notice yesterday actually that you can use EZ pass at all the Niagara bridges, except Whirlpool. You need to put money on your Nexus card at the US-side kiosk the first time (you can just put on 5 bucks) and then you can add more online subsequent to that first time. Anyway, I have never seen more than 6 cars at Whirlpool and that was long due to construction or something.

Regarding the church of Wegmans. Wegmans give me so much Joy. We are along the lake just beyond Angola, so it really isn't on the way, but we will likely be moving shortly to a place that is very close to Orchard Park. This pleases me greatly. Wegmans and Premier Wine!!!!

[Lights 56]

I am not worried about CBP - I am Canadian and currently a Canadian resident so I think they care not what I am doing in the US (unless i am bringing too much stuff back). it is just entering the US that gives me pause in this process. I gather since when filing the initial K1 petition, they do not ask for my SIN number or passport number, they do not know I am doing this yet, right? In either case, I am armed with property tax bills and utility bills, as well as a voter card and a doctor's appointment scheduled in July and August. Hoping that will suffice for now. Next time I take my dad to the doctor, i will ask him for a letter stating that I am dad's primary caregiver as well.

Whirlpool is great! I just got notice yesterday actually that you can use EZ pass at all the Niagara bridges, except Whirlpool. You need to put money on your Nexus card at the US-side kiosk the first time (you can just put on 5 bucks) and then you can add more online subsequent to that first time. Anyway, I have never seen more than 6 cars at Whirlpool and that was long due to construction or something.

Regarding the church of Wegmans. Wegmans give me so much Joy. We are along the lake just beyond Angola, so it really isn't on the way, but we will likely be moving shortly to a place that is very close to Orchard Park. This pleases me greatly. Wegmans and Premier Wine!!!!

We filed our K1 in January (while I was in the US for work, actually) and I traveled back and forth to the US many times while our application was pending and subsequently when our petition was approved.

I was even in the US for 4.5 weeks (half work and half play). I traveled when I had my interview set at the embassy. I never was given a tough time (touch wood) because I was always honest and disclosed information they asked for. I have found that when I disclosed we were going through the K1 visa route, they just let me through. I guess they think why would someone pay all that money and start the process (the correct way) just to muck it up by overstaying? Especially when you have proof of ties to Canada. I'm not sure what the agent see's but maybe they see all previous entries and no overstays.

Another thing that helps is an employment letter or proof of employment. We once met in Seattle and crossing by car is a bit different then plane (where you can show proof of return flight). When I went through by car, I just made sure I had meetings booked in the office etc. in case they asked for it.

[Krikit 1,163]

I am not worried about CBP - I am Canadian and currently a Canadian resident so I think they care not what I am doing in the US (unless i am bringing too much stuff back). it is just entering the US that gives me pause in this process. I gather since when filing the initial K1 petition, they do not ask for my SIN number or passport number, they do not know I am doing this yet, right? In either case, I am armed with property tax bills and utility bills, as well as a voter card and a doctor's appointment scheduled in July and August. Hoping that will suffice for now. Next time I take my dad to the doctor, i will ask him for a letter stating that I am dad's primary caregiver as well.

Whirlpool is great! I just got notice yesterday actually that you can use EZ pass at all the Niagara bridges, except Whirlpool. You need to put money on your Nexus card at the US-side kiosk the first time (you can just put on 5 bucks) and then you can add more online subsequent to that first time. Anyway, I have never seen more than 6 cars at Whirlpool and that was long due to construction or something.

Regarding the church of Wegmans. Wegmans give me so much Joy. We are along the lake just beyond Angola, so it really isn't on the way, but we will likely be moving shortly to a place that is very close to Orchard Park. This pleases me greatly. Wegmans and Premier Wine!!!!

The Church of Wegmans.

I've been using my EZpass all along at the Peace Bridge. It disappeared for a few months when they were doing construction, but it's been back for a while now. That makes me happy.

CBP is the US border services. (Customs & Border Protection)

CBSA is the Canadian border services. (Canadian Border Services Agency)

So, yeah. CBP cares. lol. Like I said, they don't know until you tell them.

[RobertnLaura 2]

Thanks for the clarification!

Thanks for the clarification!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

To the OP - I am super jealous. I've been here in the US for 6+ years but wow - having your US fiance in such close proximity must be awesome!