Using a NEXUS Card during K-1 Visa Application Process

[PhilM 1]

Does anyone know if my Canadian fiance obtaining a NEXUS card will make border crossing by land (car) easier while going through the lengthy K-1 Fiancee Visa process? Anyone have experience with this?

[TNJ17 1,329]

What’s a nexus card?

[JlovesA 109]

Hi PhilM! I used a Nexus card to visit my husband while I went through the K1 and CR1 (long story, we started out doing the K1 then changed our minds and did the CR1 a few years later). It definitely does making crossing easier as there is often a customs booth open for Nexus cardholders. The Nexus card does not lift the burden of your fiance to prove they have no intent to immigrate illegally. 

[NikLR 13,227]

On 3/10/2018 at 7:41 AM, TNJ17 said:

What’s a nexus card?

It's a card that makes border travel faster and easier.  Rather like Global Entry.  (In fact it gives you global entry and TSA Precheck)

 

Basically the CBSA and the CBP run a background check on you and decide if you're a trusted traveler or not.  

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus

 

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OP you can certainly use NEXUS while you're doing the process.  The only time you would not use NEXUS is when you finally immigrate because you have to go to secondary. 

Edited March 23, 2018 by NikLR

[TNJ17 1,329]

15 hours ago, NikLR said:

It's a card that makes border travel faster and easier.  Rather like Global Entry.  (In fact it gives you global entry and TSA Precheck)

 

Basically the CBSA and the CBP run a background check on you and decide if you're a trusted traveler or not.  

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus

 

 

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OP you can certainly use NEXUS while you're doing the process.  The only time you would not use NEXUS is when you finally immigrate because you have to go to secondary. 

I don’t think that’s true. I didn’t go through secondary in DC. POE was super fast. 

[NikLR 13,227]

Well you cannot use the NEXUS line since you have to talk to a CBP officer regardless. 

If you drive over, like most Canadians, then you go into secondary aka enter the building to sign.  

[moemac59 192]

On 3/23/2018 at 1:18 PM, TNJ17 said:

I don’t think that’s true. I didn’t go through secondary in DC. POE was super fast. 

This is true. I had to go into secondary after my AP/EAD card was issued even though I have a NEXUS card. You have to be paroled back in with your EAD/AP card while waiting for your AOS to be completed. 

[moemac59 192]

On 3/10/2018 at 9:39 AM, PhilM said:

Does anyone know if my Canadian fiance obtaining a NEXUS card will make border crossing by land (car) easier while going through the lengthy K-1 Fiancee Visa process? Anyone have experience with this?

Phil, just make sure that your if fiancee gets the NEXUS card that they carry documentation showing ties to Canada as well as the notification showing that you have a pending petition with USCIS (the Notice of Action NOA). USCIS wants to know that your fiancee will be going back home and not coming in with the intent to get married and stay. While going through the K1 process, I carried a file folder with updated info in it all the time (current bank statement, letter from my employer stating date back to work, copy of my apartment lease, cable bill etc as well as the USCIS notification) I was only asked for this stuff once crossing over into the US and US customs was impressed that I had this with me. I used to cross over every single weekend since I lived 2.5 hrs from my husband at the time.

 

Your finacee will have to update their NEXUS card every time their immigration status changes when a new green card (AOS -conditional residency-2yr GC and ROC 10 yr GC) is issued as well as changing status once US Citizenship has occurred.

[PhilM 1]

Thank you so much for your detailed response.