The Mean Lady

My wife was denied entry once because we failed to purchase a return ticket. She was coming for an extended visit but wasn't sure exactly how long it would be. Customs did not like that and turned her around. It cost us the $600 plane ticket, and I lost a few days vacation from work, so it was an expensive lesson. The both of us has been pulled into secondary for extended questioning simply because of the frequency of our trips, but nothing serious, we were both allowed to continue on.

We both had our worst experiences at the Detroit/Windsor crossing, the officers there on both sides seem a lot more rude and agitated there as opposed to the times we've crossed in Buffalo/Niagra.

Ouch! Speaking of plane tickets... my boss paid for a return plane ticket for my husband as proof following our wedding.

The guy that made the I90 out for my husband was a total jerk and gave it for the WRONG date cutting our honey moon short and forcing us to drive back so he could make it in time... I still have a feeling he did it on purpose because he was about to deny him but at the SAME TIME I had called border patrol to get a status because my husband handn't texted in over an hour. I told the supervisor I was very nervous and didn't want to have to cancel our wedding and he approved him!

When we turned it in, they said 'why didn't you fly on the plane you were supposed to take' and we were like BECAUSE YOU PUT THE WRONG DATE! Ever since then... I think they finally realized we were honest people lmao

Travelling separately, we haven't had any issues. I was sent to secondary on my first visit to Canada because I had never been there before. The first time we crossed into Canada in the same vehicle they were a bit suspicious, but since then I have no problems entering Canada. I get asked less questions on the trip up than I do coming back to the US. Generally it has gotten easier the more we do it, they don't ask if the car is mine anymore, how we met, etc. We'll be entering the US in the same vehicle soon, I'm a bit worried about that.

One time a guy asked me where my rental agreement was and I had to show him paperwork to prove the car was NOT a rental and was indeed mine lol

Coming back into Canada WITH my husband is the easiest.

Plus it's nice because we can get away with tons of stuff w/o duties taxes.

From christmas last year, I had this handwritten itemized list of like 400 dollars in presents we brought back and the lady just laughed and said have a nice trip.

Generally, however, when I return into canada WITH my husband, they ask the purpose of my visit and I just tell them I'm dropping my husband back off. Come to think of it, I don't think they've ever asked me more than that when I come over with him! lol.

Going to the US with my husband is the worst. We always get flagged and pulled in.... with people that walk beside us with spike strips! lol

I've only been pulled into secondary ONCE on my own and that was prior to marriage (and even dating really) and I came up to visit when we were just friends for just (1) day. Since I drive 7 hours, that was suspicious and I was pulled into questioning because I paint some...well... less than pleasant things... and my paintings happen to all be in my trunk.

The officer also had the nerve to tell me to learn how to clean my car =X

Though, I've learned from the ONE time in over 3 years we got pulled into canada, that that's probably the truth.

We came over with the following items after US thanksgiving 2 years ago:

(1) 4ft christmas tree

(1) storage cart of drawers

(1) office chair.

Because they were all large items, my car looked full! The lady was SO mean telling me that I was moving there and I kept telling her there were only 3 items (plus lots of garbage on the floor =X)! She called me out on a FAN that was on the floor! I kept trying to explain to her that the fan was from canada and i didn't have time to return it before we left lol

We were questioned for a short time and I received my own version of an I90 but the lady inside was SUPER nice and this is why I travel with all my ties now too lol SORRY SO LONG!

Hi Everyone,

After semi-hijacking someone else's thread with my own experiences, I thought it might be nice to hear some of the experiences others have had while crossing back and forth between the US and Canada during our relationships.

Have any of you had any trouble traveling back and forth or any advice to those that will be crossing back and forth for visits?

I hate to say it, but I think it might be comforting to hear someone else had the same amount of trouble that I'm used to trying to get my husband to visit in the states...

And in case anyone didn't know, they like to read your text messages. Regardless of if there was anything I was trying to hide, I always erase all of them because I just feel like that is SO wrong.

We got denied once because we "lied" about something (yes, i'm admitting it and it was something stupid).

They wanted proof of financial support in the way of having your bank balance.

My husband had JUST gotten a job and so we had his mom put money in his account temporarily so he had a balance until payday.

He mentioned it in a text and they read that it was "borrowed money" so they sent him away.

Even still with a "lie", we haven't seen it have any effect on the future.

IM NOT TELLING YOU TO LIE ABOUT ANYTHING, I'm just saying that once you're denied or get into trouble there, it isn't necessarily the end.

I'm also putting my "lie" in quotes because I don't think it was really a lie, per say, since we didn't tell them where the money came from... just that he had some.

No, more along the lines of if you don't the super will just side with their agent anyway. But you provide some interesting insight. I was always under the impression that once you were refused entry, it was actually illegal to even try again or is that only if they tell you a waiver is required?

It's only illegal to enter if you were deported or, yes, they tell you you'll need a waiver.

But even then, if you need a waiver, and you don't have one, you'll just be denied... nothing really happens.

I watched that happen right in front of my eyes with the guy that lied about the toronto denial.

They told him he needed to get a waiver and denied him again.

They did threaten my husband with deportation once, which was a complete joke.

And I don't mean a funny one, I mean a ridiculous one. That woman was off her rocker.

I don't think we tried to cross again for like 9 months.

They told us in general not to try to enter again after denial for at least a few weeks.

Yes. Probably April or May.

Great, thank you!

Well, I called the Passport Office here in town and they said it'd end up being like $250. Which I don't really have with expenses of Montreal/gas/hotel etc and Christmas and my fiance moving. So I think we'll just go in with my card and see. Worst case scenario they say no. I'll just wait outside probably smoke a pack of smokes while he's in there and then when he comes out it'll be like American Idol with the golden ticket! HAHA I told him that. We'll have our moment on the sidewalk hugs, kisses, LOTS of happy tears. All that good stuff. Its not the end of the world.

I'm guessing it's more expensive because I previously had a book and you only have a card.

I was able to mail all of my stuff in where as you probably have to physically go (no thanks!)

I spoke with a Canadian citizen setting up a flower shop in Washington and she was harassed by customs virtually every time she crossed during the process. She was inside the one time and broke into tears. Someone came along and asked what was wrong. After explaining the situation, he handed her his card and said if you ever have issues again, let me know. It was a Supervisor and she was carefree after that.

So yes it "can" work but you would need to provide a concrete case in your favor.

I hope you don't mean you need a concrete case to ask for one?

Mine was not nearly anything like this situation.

It began by bringing my bf(at the time) over for 2.5 months.

He did not have a job (because I told him not to bother to continue looking if he was coming to stay for 2.5months) and he also lived on a second building on his dad's property. They were denying him due to no ties and I was in tears because how was I supposed to know if I ever wanted to marry the man if we spent no real time together.

I asked to speak with a supervisor and explained the situation to him and his exact response was 'OH LET THE LOVERS GO!' (maybe he was in a good mood lol) anyways, it resulted in an I-90 (and several thereafter).

Honestly, that whole situation was terrible and has ruined any experience for us now in the 3.5years since.

He's red flagged, we always get pulled in, and they told us it will continue on for at least 5 years since the initial incident (yay only 1.5 left!) but by then he should have a visa lol.

Since then, I've spoken with the same supervisor a few times when he was going to get denied again and they're usually very accommodating. If your officer is having a bad day and is going to deny you, it can't hurt to ask the supervisor. Being denied by both of them isn't going to make it worse (I know, I've had it happen when my particular officer wasn't on duty). I think my husband has been denied a total of 4 or 5 times now (you'd think they'd stop taking his finger prints).

Hello,

I'm wondering what a rough time frame between paying the first $420 and then the next amounts are?

My company backed out of paying anything but the $420 so I have to time this all with my tax return.

If I file on 11/1, is it safe to assume I won't have to shell out any more cash until around march?

Thanks.

My wife and I also live in border towns. We dated for about 1-1/2 years prior to being wed this past May. We also crossed back and forth every weekend during that time. After having been wed I phoned the closest US border office and inquired on my status in their eyes. Due to the fact he didn't believe I had strong enough ties to Canada he advised that he would refuse me entry. Having received that info I never went down for about 4 weeks but rather my wife came up every weekend.

Finally I decided to try the next closest crossing and being completely honest with them I had no issue and have never had an issue since. I have also never had to provide any documentation at all however I do carry a copy of my DS-260 confirmation. In my mind, my history of travelling back and forth every second weekend for over the last 2 years should be enough to have any border guard with common sense realize I am coming home. Unfortunately it seems some seem to lack that attribute and you never know who you will get.

Ultimately, yes, tell the truth! Do not lie as that can potentially come back and bite you. Will it make it harder? You may initially encounter a slight increase in scrutiny but if you have history of crossing regularly I suspect common sense will rule and you should not encounter issues. The career also helps.

Just an FYI, given something small you mentioned, if you were denied at a border, do NOT just attempt to go to another border and cross again. They all share the same information (even between flights and driving). I further learned this by watching a guy get denied because he lied about being denied access on a flight out of toronto.

Also, if you know you're getting denied, don't be afraid to ask to speak to a supervisor.

Twice, this has saved me... and one of those times, it was my husband crossing for our wedding!

I have been visiting my "husband" in canada for 2 years now... and as a whole for over 3 years now.

I stay here for months at a time and ALWAYS say i'm visiting my husband.

Honestly, this is my opinion based on experience with MY husband (who is red flagged at the US border)

The canadians don't care when I come and go and they usually just want to know my plans for the future and I've always been honest.

When my husband visits the US, we always get pulled in but over the years of us always being honest and having proof of ties (ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH YOUR TIES!), they've been better and better about letting us over.

Never lie about your marriage. As long as you're always honest about your future plans, and you ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH YOUR TIES, you shouldn't have any issues.

I had to get my passport renewed back in June and I tried to expedite a card (since I was only there for 3 weeks) they didn't tell me for 2 weeks that apparently only actual books can be expedited.

ANYWAYS, after hearing all of this, I'm glad I ended up with a book in the end. Amber, like you said, it's the experience of it all... that and I'd like to be present if my husband says something stupid during the interview.

I was freaked about all of this like you (and I haven't even filed paperwork yet!) but after reading reviews of the montreal interviews... I realized they were only like 5-10 minutes! They asked just a handful of questions and it was always APPROVED so as long as you have your proof, you'll be fine, even if he goes in by himself.

If you have the money, get a passport expedited. I can't remember exactly but I think it ended up being around 150 or 160 bucks or something. But, if not, don't even worry about it.

Silly expensive doctors.

Hello,

I'm having trouble trying to figure out all of the costs associated with the IR1.

My husband and I have been married for 2 years in 2 weeks so we don't have to pay for a change of status at any point.

I have found the i130 is 420

Then there's the affidavit of support which is 88

Then, I'm not really sure what this is, but there seems to be a $240 cost associated with something on here is this the ds-230?

Could someone tell me if I'm missing something?

I know there's a cost associated with the medical examination?

Thanks!

I was JUST About to create this same thread in regards to the APPLICANT box, then I stopped to check and see if anyone else had asked recently =]

Just print them on regular paper. We copy/pasted them into a word doc with two photos per page and a little line of text underneath listing who/where/when.

Perfect, that's what I was thinking. Thanks!

Thanks, though I don't appreciate the sarcastic response.

It had nothing to do with my "thinking cap".

Is it appropriate to provide my pictures printed on paper? Or must they be actual pictures?

I don't see why this would matter, I was just curious.

It seems like it would make things easier so they were all together and keep the weight down on the packet.

Success! Got the second one. I didn't think they would release that info to me over the phone.

Turns out the one I was MOST worried about which was a random converted apt in the backwoods of Wisconsin (which would take about 15 hours to get there from here) JUST falls out of the 5year mark by about a month WHEW!

Driving there takes 8 hours and a border crossing

And seriously? Drive there and be back in the comfort of my own home in 12 hours?

I'm sorry, but the fact you suggest someone drive 6 hours and turn right around is pretty sad and unsafe.

Not to mention the suspicion I would face if I left Canada and reentered w/in 24 hours.

Been there done that, so the whole situation would take me about a week.

I do not have the money to file my petition and it's being paid for by my employer.

So I definitely don't have 250 dollars in gas money and days off to use.

It has nothing to do with being serious about my petition so there's no reason to be so rude.

I was able to call and get (1) address, now just waiting to get through at the other place.

I'm just curious about the process, is getting a certif in Canada a complex process?

When I did it in the US, I just filled out this piece of paper: wrote our names on it and mailed it in.

A week later, I had 5 copies to do with as I please.

Then time to turn on your thinking cap and either find another option or drive 400 miles. Do you have a friend in that city or cities who could drive by for you? Can't doesn't cut it.

No I do not.

Except on that list they have Pierogi which is not Canadian but Eastern European...

I would still consider it heavily canadian in the style of food they consistently eat.

While you can find pierogies in the US, you don't find 8 different fillings of them in every freezer and bin you walk by.

Try Google Earth and then street view. If you made out rent checks to apartment complexes, Google the apartment names on your checks, call them and get the address. "Can't" doesn't cut it in this process.

Those checks were made out years ago to banks that I am not even with any more.

And google didn't go down my street.