StephieFaith83

Hi everyone,

I'm currently preparing for my second visit to the United States. Bufffalo, NY to be exact. And yes, I do know how cold and snowy it's going to be this time of year. I fly to Toronto in 3 weeks, my man is going to be picking me up from Pearson Airport and we'll be driving over the border to Buffalo. Not only was it massively cheaper to do it this way, it sure as hell beats flying to NYC. I'm sure there are other routes, but this was by far the cheapest option for us.

My last visit was in June 2009, I was there for 4 weeks. The trip was inititally meant to be for 2 weeks but our Megabus broke down en route to NYC and I wound up missing my flight. So, I had to buy a new flight home, I flew out of Toronto meaning that I handed my I-94 to the Canadian Border Guard upon departing the US. It says this is the right thing to do on the I-94 itself but as a precaution I took a copy of it a couple of days before and sent the copy to Kentucky, along with copies of boarding passes, bank statements, payslips and some other receipts just in case it wasn't passed on. I also included a letter explaining why I'd sent it, etc etc.

So I was worried about that, my departure record being incorrect. So I'll be flying with tons of evidence that I left when I said I did, I have my original boarding pass, flight itinerary, wageslips, bank statements etc.

As for the usual stuff, I'll be carrying around $700, a letter from my employer stating when I will be returning to work (it also states when I returned to work after my last trip to the states), travel insurance, flight itinerary (showing return flight), train tickets to and from the airport...is there anything I've missed? Apart from my passport...

What do I expect upon entering Canada? As I am only transiting? Just explain that my final destination is the US and that I'll just be in Canada for a couple of hours?

I'm visiting my fiance (I say boyfriend to Immigration) because we haven't picked a ring out yet and I still haven't received my decree absolute from my previous marriage, should be around 3 weeks when I get that...then the K1 nightmare starts. Arggghhhh!

I'm pretty clued up on how everything works and that I should just be honest, we both tells the truth when visiting each other and have never had any problems at all.

It's been 6 months since I was last in the US, so I think I'm okay on that score?

Just getting nervous, as I HATE flying and with the recent events I feel even worse.

Thanks,

- Stephie xx

lisa67

You seem to have all your ducks in a row.
My parents used to come into the US to visit us via Canada a lot and it was never a problem...I know that your situation is different with a US fiance, but I can't think of anything else you can do to make it any easier.

StephieFaith83

I think it helps that he'll actually be with me when I get to the border, I've crossed the border to and from Canada a couple of times when I was there last. We were just asked how we knew each other, how we met, what I did for a job and when I was returning home...which to me seems like normal questioning.

Ginblossom

I think you are generally all set Stephie. When I transited through Canada, in Calgary en route to LA, they literally at immigration took a quick look at the passport and sai no problem, and off you go.

In fact if memory serves, they had tons of Canadian airline officials in the actual immigration zone telling you where to go etc as you needed to do the bag collection etc, and it was all very friendly and easy.

As far as your time spent outside the US, you are fine on that score as well.

StephieFaith83

Thanks. I'm as prepared as I'm ever going to be and have taken everything into account should any problems come up, so there's nothing that should present a problem with regards to getting into the US. I've followed the rules and am very respectful of the laws regarding Immigration, since I want to live in the country eventually as his wife, I will do nothing to jeapordise that...as much as I'd love to just stay and marry him, the consequences aren't worth it.

Ginblossom

Well, you can now relax and have fun!

lisa67

oh, and don't forget to stop on the way to Buffalo in a Canadian Zehrs. They sell lots of British goodies and you can start introducing your fiance to such delights as crumpets, tinned custard, wine gums and smarties

StephieFaith83

Haha, don't get him started on crumpets lol...before we met he had that tea drinking, crumpet eating stereotype in his head.

I'll be sure to give it a look though and introduce him to some new English foods...he's been over here a few times though, can't say he's a fan of our cuisine.

lisa67

and you're seriously considering marrying him????

BritishGuy36

Don't be. Right after a terrorist attack (or attempt) is the safest time....security is high and the terrorists lay low for a while.

celticgrid

Or just drop into most Wegman's stores in and around Buffalo as they have a small (but good) selection of British bits and pieces. But not crumpets!

lisa67

Excellent!
Zehrs sells a ton of stuff under their own brand "president" so it's really cheap! (and I've even been known to "smuggle" in a pork pie...shhh)

StephieFaith83

I LOVE Wegmans, so much better the the crappy supermarkets here in the UK.

They have so much fresh stuff.

StephieFaith83

So I fly in 2 days, I've proper starting getting the jitters and worrying my head off about not being let in...I just automatically think the worst and it's driving me nuts!

I was hoping you guys might help to calm my nerves...

Noorah101

There, there....calm down....

*** pats on the back ***



Rene