Re: American Girl and Canadian Boy. UPDATED! I need a few more answers!

[TeddyBearsPrincess]

Thank you so much. Also last question! One of the responders said not to bring too much across the border. I have a big samsonite suitcase, a guitar, a computer bag, and an army pack. Could having too much luggage really make me seem suspicious?

 

[truesmile]

Yes.

Also, when at the border, don't call it "home". You're just "visiting". Which is why too much luggage could lead to problems.

 

[TeddyBearsPrincess]

So I board the clipper with as little as possible. Say I'm visiting but I was hoping to get the 6 months so we can begin our common law year?

 

[truesmile]

Not as little as possible, but 2 suitcases would be my limit.

 

[TeddyBearsPrincess]

Thanks for the help. I have my guitar and army pack that he gave me. I'll put my computer inside the pack so it makes two.

 

[DuberBlue]

That sounds pretty reasonable. When my wife first came to "live" with me (we weren't married yet, we didn't know if we WERE going to get married, so this was basically a trial living period), we brought over what amounted to a good carful of her stuff In retrospect that probably wasn't the smartest decision, but we still DID get through the border with a visitor record in hand. It just meant we had to answer more questions inside the office instead of just being waved through. We had to satisfy them that we were putting a finite time limit on this living arranagement, that we would either a) eventually get married or b) split up and she'd go home.

 

[TeddyBearsPrincess]

We've been talking about hitting the courthouse and getting married on paper. It's a maybe right now, should I mention that? What should I say if they ask about me. I'm leaving the room I'm staying at and quit the job I had here. I can stay with a friend if I get a no and reapply for my old job and I'd be definitely considered.

 

[TeddyBearsPrincess]

I made it home. I had a bit of trouble coming in. I sat in the office a bit while the immigration officer asked me alot of questions. I do have to mention that the little tip of saying that I'm visiting but was hoping for a 6 month approval was wrong. The officer wasn't happy about that at all and said that most times people visit and never leave. I guess by saying I was visiting, he was lumping me in that group.

I mentioned that I got the advice from this site and he shook his head. All in all, I got the six months approved but I got a visitor record in my passport that must be turned in when I leave. It's VERY likely I'll have to return to Washington and start this whole process again (6 months in, 6 months out). Not really what I was hoping for but I was just happy to get the six months to spend with my fiance. He said it seemed like we were dotting our i's and crossing our t's pretty effectively but I was really hoping for less flack. Ah well. Hopefully after this time is over and I repeat the six months in Washington, I'll have more sure footing where immigration is concerned. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Steph C]

At least they let you in and you are here now. I think you might have had the wrong impression in that you're not automatically entitled to your 6 months. They do reserve the right to refuse entry at any time. I think a quiet wedding in Canada is a really good idea to get your application started. Now you're flagged at the border I assume so it will be more difficult next time to re-enter and acquire the next 6 months for common law.

 

[Alurra71]

I made it home. I had a bit of trouble coming in. I sat in the office a bit while the immigration officer asked me alot of questions. I do have to mention that the little tip of saying that I'm visiting but was hoping for a 6 month approval was wrong. The officer wasn't happy about that at all and said that most times people visit and never leave. I guess by saying I was visiting, he was lumping me in that group.

I mentioned that I got the advice from this site and he shook his head. All in all, I got the six months approved but I got a visitor record in my passport that must be turned in when I leave. It's VERY likely I'll have to return to Washington and start this whole process again (6 months in, 6 months out). Not really what I was hoping for but I was just happy to get the six months to spend with my fiance. He said it seemed like we were dotting our i's and crossing our t's pretty effectively but I was really hoping for less flack. Ah well. Hopefully after this time is over and I repeat the six months in Washington, I'll have more sure footing where immigration is concerned. Thanks for all the help guys.

You could apply to extend your visitor record online before it is expired when the time comes and you would not be required to leave to do so ... just a thought.

 

[TeddyBearsPrincess]

Extending my visitor status is what my fiance was thinking of doing if its possible. And to clarify, I went into this expecting nothing. I knew there was always a chance I could be turned down. Even now, they could boot me if they really wanted to. A quiet wedding is on the agenda, it's my hope that I don't get looked at weirdly if we take this route. I know this whole process isn't supposed to be easy. If it were easy, everyone would be accepted.

It's my hope that we can get this wedding over quickly and get the paperwork started. We both missed being together at home and are planning for the future. A return to Washington would throw a wrench in the works but if that's what it takes to show immigration we're legit then it's what I'll have to do.