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Crossing the border on Saturday - what do I need?

By cloudy in Canada

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cloudy Contributor

cloudy   6

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Canada
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Posted

The day is finally here! My fiance is driving up from Boston, we're loading all my stuff into his car, and we're driving back on Saturday. Now the moving day panic has set in.

Aside from passport/visa and visa packet, is there anything specific I'll need to show CBP? Do I need an itemized list of everything I'm bringing with me? I'll have almost everything I own with me, but I'm leaving some books and a few musical instruments at my parents' house for now since (from what I understand) I have 10 years to bring everything. Do I need to submit a list of what is still left at my parents? I'm not sure how this importation of goods works and I can't seem to find a straight answer searching these forums.

Also, I know I have to apply for EI within 4 weeks, but can I do the actual application from the US? Or do I have to apply before I leave Canada?

...and if anyone has any *nice* stories about doing a POE at Highgate Vermont and how smoothly everything went, I'd love to hear them to ease my mind. :)

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Flames9_RN Grand Master

Flames9_RN   358

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Can apply for EI from the USA within the timeframe...just no $$$$ until u get the actual EAD

Should have a basic inventory list of what you have with you in the car..keep it basic...No list of what u left behind...Very good chance they wont even look at the list, but best to be prepared........Best of luck

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

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jfgk1987 Community Regular

jfgk1987   303

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

I drove to get my fiance from Toronto and we did the POE at the Peace Bridge in Niagara. I forgot to mention that he should write down everything he's bringing into the US, but all they did was ask us if we had any firearms, meats, plants, or any other contraband. My car was packed to the brim just about, and they didn't even search it :blink:

K-1

I-129F NOA1 => NOA2: 161 days

NOA2 => Interview: 64 days

AP: 33 days

Total: 258 days

AOS

I-485 NOA => GC: 333 days

No Interview

ROC

07/30/2017: Package Sent

08/01/2017: NOA

09/07/2017: Biometrics

12/04/2018: Approved! 490 days

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Rob & Monika Community Regular

Rob & Monika   87

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Typically, the only other thing I can think of that Canadians might deal with at the border is importing their vehicle.

2011-05-21: Matched on eharmony (clearly not in my 60 mile radius preference!)

2011-07-30: Met in Ottawa

2011-08-28: Day I knew I wanted to spend my life with her

2012-01-21: I proposed, outside in the freezing cold!

2012-02-06: Mailed out K-1 via FedEX

2012-02-10: NOA1

2012-08-01: NOA2

2012-08-17: Packet 3 received (email)

2012-09-10: Packet 3 sent

2012-09-12: Packet 4 received (email) with request for 2 photos

2012-10-29: Medical in Toronto

2012-11-06: Interview - Approved!

2013-04-05: POE Thousand Islands

2013-04-20: Wedding

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cloudy Contributor

cloudy   6

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Canada
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Posted

Just an update:

Did my POE yesterday as planned. Crossed at Highgate VT with my fiance. It was totally simple and painless. The officer was very friendly and joked around a bit with me, and only took a little extra time because she had never done a K1 before. I had a full car load of stuff and they didn't even look at it or ask a single question. The only thing we were asked was when we are planning to marry, and we don't even have an exact date yet for our City Hall wedding, but they were fine with that.

I'm just so happy I'm finally here and we're together! It's been a long 8 months!

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  • 2 weeks later...
gingernugget Contributor

gingernugget   1

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

I thought I read somewhere that there is a fee for border crossing? Is this true? If so what is it in CDN ?

Gingernugget

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NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,220

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

I thought I read somewhere that there is a fee for border crossing? Is this true? If so what is it in CDN ?

There is no fee.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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Flames9_RN Grand Master

Flames9_RN   358

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

For k1 (not cr-1/ir-1) I think there is a $7 fee for 1 of the forms..believe its the I-94?????

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

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NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,220

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

It's electronic now so I can't see why there's a fee. But anyone concerned can the CBP website. :)

Edited by NLR

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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Soapies Explorer

Soapies   18

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I just checked this website: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/CA.html and it says "K1 Visa, Fee: None, Number of Applications: One, Validity Period: 6 Months"

Edit: I have NO idea why that link isn't working. You can go here and type in your country: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html

Edited by Soapies

I-129F Process:

 

05/03/2014 I-129F Sent
05/09/2014 NOA1

05/12/2014 Alien Registration Number Changed

09/17/2014 NOA2 (OMG!!!!) 

09/23/2014 Case forwarded to NVC
10/01/2014 NVC Received

10/06/2014 NVC forwarded case to Montreal Consulate 

10/07/2014 Montreal Consulate Received

10/08/2014 Sent Packet 3

10/09/2014 Received Packet 4

10/22/2014 Medical Appointment

11/12/2014 Interview  APPROVED 

11/24/2014 Visa in Hand!!!!

12/28/2014 POE - Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls
01/12/2015 Applied for SSN

01/31/2015 The day I married my best friend 

 

 AOS Process:

 

03/14/2015 Sent AOS Package

03/23/2015 Email confirmation, case accepted & routed to USCIS
04/15/2015 Biometrics taken
06/03/2015 75 days since receipt date on my EAD application, called USCIS for a service request  
06/09/2015 NOA2 for AP & EAD ^.^ (arrived in the mail on June 15th!!! finally!!!!)
06/17/2015 AP/EAD Combo card in hand!
06/22/2015 Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case
09/27/2015 AOS  APPROVED
10/03/2015 Received Green Card in the mail!!!

 

ROC Process:
06/26/2017 Sent ROC Package

06/30/2017 NOA / 1 year extension 
08/04/2017 Biometrics taken

04/09/2018 Case was received at my local office

 

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NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,220

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

The K1 visa is valid for 6 months from the medical date after interview but is only a 1 time use visa.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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Soapies Explorer

Soapies   18

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

The K1 visa is valid for 6 months from the medical date after interview but is only a 1 time use visa.

Yes! :yes: I was showing that there was no fee! (not from Canada, anyway, no idea if it's different for different countries)

I-129F Process:

 

05/03/2014 I-129F Sent
05/09/2014 NOA1

05/12/2014 Alien Registration Number Changed

09/17/2014 NOA2 (OMG!!!!) 

09/23/2014 Case forwarded to NVC
10/01/2014 NVC Received

10/06/2014 NVC forwarded case to Montreal Consulate 

10/07/2014 Montreal Consulate Received

10/08/2014 Sent Packet 3

10/09/2014 Received Packet 4

10/22/2014 Medical Appointment

11/12/2014 Interview  APPROVED 

11/24/2014 Visa in Hand!!!!

12/28/2014 POE - Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls
01/12/2015 Applied for SSN

01/31/2015 The day I married my best friend 

 

 AOS Process:

 

03/14/2015 Sent AOS Package

03/23/2015 Email confirmation, case accepted & routed to USCIS
04/15/2015 Biometrics taken
06/03/2015 75 days since receipt date on my EAD application, called USCIS for a service request  
06/09/2015 NOA2 for AP & EAD ^.^ (arrived in the mail on June 15th!!! finally!!!!)
06/17/2015 AP/EAD Combo card in hand!
06/22/2015 Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case
09/27/2015 AOS  APPROVED
10/03/2015 Received Green Card in the mail!!!

 

ROC Process:
06/26/2017 Sent ROC Package

06/30/2017 NOA / 1 year extension 
08/04/2017 Biometrics taken

04/09/2018 Case was received at my local office

 

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Flames9_RN Grand Master

Flames9_RN   358

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

There used to be a fee--was only $6 or $7 and was for only the k1'ers and it was for 1 of the forms..not exactly sure which one and not even sure if they stil charge it..by the sounds of it not

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

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