Quick question : crossing frequently.

Hi there.

First, thanks for the helpful people here. All this stuff is really more complicated than I thought.

I am Canadian and met someone from the US (nothing new here... haha). I originally planned to study in the US (F1 visa I think), but after reading about it, I realized that I wouldn't be able to work.

That was really disappointing for me, not being able to work meant I probably couldn't study there. We'd like to see each other frequently so I thought that maybe I could study in Canada, and with the money I save I could get a passport and visit often.

Since education is so cheap here and so costly in the US (same program in school costs me 5000$CA /year or something like 25 000$ US/year!!), with the money I save I could basically travel there every weekend and still save money. (In reality I would maybe go there 2-3 weekends each month)

Now, just to be sure, wouldn't there be a problem with that? I know as I Canadian I can stay up to 6 month in the US, but would they start asking questions after a while? Or would it be fine since I'm only staying for 2 days and always returning in Canada?

Thanks for reading. This is all new and very confusing for me, so I just want to make sure I plan everything right It seems theres always a minor detail that I forget and that ruin everything... don't want that to happen haha.

The time you would be spending in US is not a problem. As long as you keep your residential time in canada.

You will have a problem if you relationsip gets more serious, like engagement or marriage.

Thank you.

I was more worried about the "frequency", being 2-3 times a month for a while (i.e. maybe a year or two, while we both finish school).

But then if it does get more serious and we want to marry eventually, then I'll need a visa, right?

When it comes to relationship visas, check out visajourney.com All the info u need!!

When it comes to crossing into the USA, no one can give u a straight forward answer, as it truly matters on the POE (port of entry) officer! The more you goto the USA, the more it may raise the suspicion level to a POE officer. Most of us that have come to the USA on a relationship visa (k1, k3, cr-1/ir-1) visited and had no problems. BUT a few did. Some were just ignorant and didn't bring any ties to Canada (letter from employer/school, lease, return ticket) thus were denied entry to the USA and some were denied simply because a POE officer thought they had intentions of staying in the USA.

Always bring evidence of returning to canada, even though they don't always ask for it. I traveled monthly to DC from Nova Scotia, never had a problem, not asked for evidence, But I know plenty that have been asked for that evidence or pulled into secondary and allowed to continue on! 1 thing u want to do is NEVER lie! Keep ur responses short and to the point and look them in the eye when speaking to the officer, but never, ever lie!!!

Should it be a problem?? no, but keep in mind the POE officer has to make a decision on whither or not he thinks you will be staying permanently in the USA, and how you conduct yourself is what will determine that. And of course some POE are just jerks,lol But do check out Visajourney.co, piles of info there such as:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

cheers

thanks for the answer.

I think I understand. I'll bring evidence just to be sure. Return tickets, proof of employment and proof that I'm studying in Canada.

Also I'll start reading visajourney... we don't plan to marry yet but it might be possible eventually, who knows =)

Evidence that you're in school in Canada is always good. Have your valid student ID with you in case they want to see it (was once asked for it while I was still in university), a print out of your current course load, a few textbooks in your luggage always helps etc, especially when saying you're going to see a US significant other.

Flames9 is right on the money about your attitude. It counts for a lot, so act confident, while remaining cooperative and laid back. You have nothing to hide, so why should be nervous. Any custom officers in any country will look at your demeanor a lot so act unconcerned.

You should be fine Have fun and good look on your budding romance!

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!!
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

... and don't get all gushy about your boyfriend or fiancee or life partner or whatever.