Canadian married an American - Possessions still in Canada

[ddholmberg]

WA

Canadian here, recently married an American. We are both in WA, filing our paperwork very shortly. We were just wondering about my possessions in Canada. Do we have to wait for all of the paperwork to get sorted, or can she go to Canada and retrieve my clothes, books, furniture, etc, so that we may make our new home together more comfortable?

 

[justalayman]

Ya lost me. Why would the Canadian not be able to return to their home country? Why would the American not be able to travel to Canada?

 

[ddholmberg]

Ya lost me. Why would the Canadian not be able to return to their home country? Why would the American not be able to travel to Canada?

For the duration of our paperwork, the Canadian may leave the USA, but not return until all the paperwork is done. Canadian wants to stay with his wife.

American may go to Canada, but doesnt know what limitations there are on moving stuff across the border. We know that when purchasing things, there are limits to what is allowed.

What limits are there for already owned goods? What fees or paperwork may be involved?

 

[LdiJ]

Ya lost me. Why would the Canadian not be able to return to their home country? Why would the American not be able to travel to Canada?

Its problematic for someone applying for a green card to leave the country at all prior to the green card being approved.

However, there is absolutely no reason why the US citizen spouse cannot go to Canada and retrieve their spouse's belongings.

 

[NeilTheCop]

Looks like the feds have it covered already
https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

 

[xylene]

Hire movers.

 

[LdiJ]

Looks like the feds have it covered already
https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

Of course, this was many years ago, but the immigration attorney my ex husband and I worked with said it was far safer NOT to use that form and to just stay put until you got the green card. I think it might be even safer to follow that advice THESE days.