Student visas, cars, and kitties

I'm a Canadian citizen, of the professional student variety - already done one double-major bachelor's degree, finishing a master's in my first major this July, and I've been accepted at a school down in the US for another master's (in my second major) for this fall. I thought getting accepted would be the hard part, but after reading over this site, I'm freaking out a little over all the details!

First: the visa. I submitted proof of financial self-sufficiency as part of my grad school application, and they're sending me the I-20. I've seen some conflicting information about the next step - the EducationUSA site seems to indicate that I need to schedule a visa interview at the nearest US consulate, but some of the posts here say I just show up at the border with my I-20 and get waved on in. Is the latter true? Are they going to ask me any questions then and there? What should I be prepared for?

Second: the visa, redux. What are the odds of my visa being denied? I have strong ties to Canada (my entire extended family lives in Ontario, I have an excellent academic record here with five years of post-secondary education, I have a fairly solid history of work in the field of academia [TA, grad TA, college writing center], I have a car registered in Ontario), and I have every intention of returning to Canada once I'm done my degree. But... I also have an American boyfriend. He's been visiting me in Canada off and on during the past few years, never overstaying his welcome, of course, and I've gone to see him 10 or 12 times as well. When I go to school in the US, I'll be living with him. And when I graduate, I plan on bringing him up here with me. Is this going to be a huge red flag? If so, how can I minimize it? Would it be better if I crossed the border alone on the visa trip?

Third: the car. I have a Canadian-made 2007 Ford Focus, given to me by my parents last fall as an early grad present. It's a fine vehicle, and I'd like to take it with me and use it down there, but I'm not sure what will need to be done about importation and registration and insurance and the like. Ideally, I'd like to just insure it in the US, with my boyfriend on the insurance as well so he can drive it. Can I do that with my existing Canadian plates, or will I need to import and register it in Illinois?

Fourth: the kitty. Kitties, thankfully, need neither visas nor insurance. As long as I have her vet records showing that her shots are all up to date, she should be fine, right?

Thanks in advance for the help!

First: the visa. I submitted proof of financial self-sufficiency as part of my grad school application, and they're sending me the I-20. I've seen some conflicting information about the next step - the EducationUSA site seems to indicate that I need to schedule a visa interview at the nearest US consulate, but some of the posts here say I just show up at the border with my I-20 and get waved on in. Is the latter true? Are they going to ask me any questions then and there? What should I be prepared for?

Canadians do not need visa stamps to enter the US so you do not need to go to the consulate for an interview. Basically you go to the border with your I-20 and other documentation, you will be told to go to secondary inspection where they will ask you a few questions about what you're studying, staple a card (I-94) to your passport, and send you on your way. Make sure you have paid your SEVIS fee before you go, and be sure to print out the receipt.

Second: the visa, redux. What are the odds of my visa being denied? I have strong ties to Canada (my entire extended family lives in Ontario, I have an excellent academic record here with five years of post-secondary education, I have a fairly solid history of work in the field of academia [TA, grad TA, college writing center], I have a car registered in Ontario), and I have every intention of returning to Canada once I'm done my degree.

It is doubtful you will have any problems.

But... I also have an American boyfriend. He's been visiting me in Canada off and on during the past few years, never overstaying his welcome, of course, and I've gone to see him 10 or 12 times as well. When I go to school in the US, I'll be living with him. And when I graduate, I plan on bringing him up here with me. Is this going to be a huge red flag? If so, how can I minimize it? Would it be better if I crossed the border alone on the visa trip?

If I were you, I wouldn't tell all of this to the border officer. Don't volunteer information. Answer whatever questions you are asked with short, simple responses.

Third: the car. I have a Canadian-made 2007 Ford Focus, given to me by my parents last fall as an early grad present. It's a fine vehicle, and I'd like to take it with me and use it down there, but I'm not sure what will need to be done about importation and registration and insurance and the like. Ideally, I'd like to just insure it in the US, with my boyfriend on the insurance as well so he can drive it. Can I do that with my existing Canadian plates, or will I need to import and register it in Illinois?

You probably do not need to formally import the vehicle into the US since you are technically a non-resident of the US. As for registering and insuring the vehicle in Illinois, the laws vary on that from state to state. You should read through the Illinois DMV website for more information.

Fourth: the kitty. Kitties, thankfully, need neither visas nor insurance. As long as I have her vet records showing that her shots are all up to date, she should be fine, right?

Shouldn't be a problem. Have a read through this for more information on what will be required of you: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export ... pets.shtml

What should I be prepared for?

Canadian citizens do not need a visa, you need the SEVIS receipt to prove you've paid the fee and the I-20, you apply at the POE.

I also have an American boyfriend.

F-1 is non-immigrant, if they think you have immigrant intent you could get turned down. Having a US citizen boyfriend is not a bar to entry but it probably will make them more suspicious about your intent.

will I need to import and register it in Illinois?

Possibly, Federal law allows you to bring the vehicle in temporarily for a year and most States exempt students from registration transfer requirements. You'd need to check Illinois State law though, especially as you're not just from out-of-State, you're a foreigner. It's not profoundly difficult to formally import it, may work out better in the long run because if you decide you need it for more than a year you've got the hassle of doing it then.

As long as I have her vet records showing that her shots are all up to date, she should be fine, right?

Yes.

Rather than start a new thread, I'll post here as my question is related.

I've read elsewhere Canadian citizens don't need to go through the visa application to study in the US, just show up at a POE w/ an I-20 & proof you've paid the SEVIS fee (plus other supporting documentation). I assume you receive an I-94, but what will be stamped on it & what length of stay are you granted? What is your status? I assume you would not be classified as F1?

by arc78 » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:20 pm
I assume you receive an I-94, but what will be stamped on it & what length of stay are you granted? What is your status? I assume you would not be classified as F1?

Your I-20 will have the expected graduation date so your I-94 will have no expire date on it. Your status will be under F-1 and CBP will stamp your passport and place this inside your entry date stamp. You are still considered to be in F-1 status although you won't have the physical visa.

You bring me your I-20 with Sevis paid reciept, i give you an I94 with a Duration of Status stamp, you give me $6 for the I-94. Cats are free to come and go without a problem. The car might have to be imported, but that is up to the State your moving to. (contrary to popular belief, the Federal Gov does not care if you Import it or not)

And finally, the boyfriend. If you have already been visiting him, we probably will already know something is up according to your previous travel, were not stupid. BUT, as a Valid F1 Sevis holder, you are more than welcome to date and live with whomever you want to. The ONLY thing we care about is that when you end your F1 status, you leave the country as is expected of you.

(contrary to popular belief, the Federal Gov does not care if you Import it or not)

Yes it does: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_ ... ng_car.xml

There is an exemption for visitors to the US from the import requirements who are visiting for a year or less.

I've imported a vehicle into the US and it was pretty clear to me it wasn't coming in unless I went through the procedure!

Let me rephrase that a little. We hate doing vehicle imports. We always advise F1 students that there is no need to import a vehicle unless the state requires it. Yes the law says to, but the reality is an F1 is a temporary status and it is up to the individual and the State.

Let me rephrase that a little. We hate doing vehicle imports. We always advise F1 students that there is no need to import a vehicle unless the state requires it. Yes the law says to, but the reality is an F1 is a temporary status and it is up to the individual and the State.

I'm also a F1 student who's looking to bring my Canadian car into the United States temporarily while I'm at school. Do I just tell the CBP agent this when I arrive at the border crossing, and they will advise me how to proceed?

I brought a car into the US on an F-1 and was not required to import it. The officer I spoke to said that if I planned on returning to Canada with it, it was not necessary to formally import it.