Travelling across before POE

[Faust942 4]

My interview is in a couple of days. If I am approved, I see that I can't travel since they will take my passport. I have a NEXUS card and an extended drivers licence. I am planning to travel this weekend (I live in a border town).

My question:

Should I stay put or can I travel while I wait for my passport to be returned to me (by courier)?

[NikLR 13,220]

You can try. It's up to the CBP. Generally with a NEXUS card it's easier, however it's possible to be denied entry too.

[Faust942 4]

Thanks NLR I assumed that was the answer. Have anyone else tried and went before receiving their visa, but after the interview?

[oncefuturealien 45]

I had this same question. I think it's much easier at a land crossing than by air, and there are definitely people who have done it, if you search. (NEXUS cards ftw.)

Good luck to you, and please report back what happens!

[bec128 42]

We did this just last month, in fact, though using the passport with the visa in it. My best friend was getting married in Michigan, and we wanted to attend together. My fiancee got her passport back on a Wednesday, I drove out on Friday with one of my friends, picked her up, and we entered with no problems at the Ambassador Bridge.

I just told the CBP officer at the crossing that my fiancee had a K-1 visa in her passport but was not using it at this time, just visiting. He just asked us "So it hasn't been processed yet? OK". A few more normal border crossing questions and we were on our way. I checked her electronic I-94 status later and confirmed that she had entered under B-2 visitor status.

Worst that can happen is they turn you around, but I have only seen one post on here where that happened.

[Faust942 4]

Ended up working out fine. I actually traveled across the border the same day as my interview was done.

[moemac59 192]

Ended up working out fine. I actually traveled across the border the same day as my interview was done.

You can still travel back and forth with the visa as long as it is not activated. I'm sure that you are aware that once activated you will not be able to leave the US until you file your AOS application and receive your AP/EAD card.

I did this with my K1 Visa as my husband and I were in the process of purchasing a house after my K1 was approved. I lived in Toronto at the time while he was living in Medina NY (48 minutes from Buffalo). My visa had been approved in April of 2012 but I wasn't ready to move until June of 2012. I had to come back and forth numerous weekends before my entry date into the US. When I crossed over at Lewiston, CPS usually asked what the status of my application was. I told them that I the visa had been issued but that I wasn't activating it until June 2012. I never had a problem crossing over. I also have my NEXUS card..

Hope that this sheds some light on future visits back and forth.

[moemac59 192]

Sorry just noticed that you filed a CR1 visa