CBSA Immigration & Passport Stamp

[oltan]

As an American, I always find entering Canada to be somewhat frustrating. Don't get me wrong, I applaud the fact that they are actually enforcing their immigration laws, but am wondering why I always seem to get sent to Immigration. I've gone through customs in Germany and Denmark for meetings with work and didn't even get a second look. Yet Canada, out of the five times I've been, only one was a work trip, and I never got questioned for that one. Three of the times I've entered for a weekend trip I always wind up getting questioned (those three times be in Calgary, one unquestioned entry in Calgary, and the work trip to Toronto).

The first time I ever went to Canada with my passport (had been in Ontario by car when I was 15 with no identification whatsoever) I was sent to Immigration. I was grilled on why I was there, who I was seeing, and asked the same questions a couple of times, presumably to make sure I wasn't making it all up.

The last time was even more perplexing. I was originally planned to enter Canada on a Friday night, but due to UAL and some weather problems that changed to Saturday morning. My purpose was to attend a friend's birthday party and then I was returning Sunday afternoon. I was only going to be Canada a grand total of about 27 hours. I was quizzed pretty heavily on who I was visiting, where they lived, how I knew them, when I was going back, etc. The CBSA officer went so far as to actually call United to find out when I was returning. He even asked me about how I paid for my ticket (with miles) and this was verified by UAL.

I was allowed to enter and stamped with a different stamp that has a six month expiration. I was told by someone else that this stamp means that I can come and go to the US and Canada with limited questioning as this is a visitor visa. Is that correct? If I plan another weekend trip will they see that and not worry about my entry, especially considering the fact that I have left every time I came in.

Also, what kind of information are they entering into that computer when you talk to them? Any ideas? Any ideas on what I can say/do that might not make me such a conspicuous character? I love Canada, and hope to one day transfer/move there, but as I've said there's a legal way to do that and that's the way I plan to do it.

[djboom]

Remember Canada and USA share all your information
so if you have criminal charges in the past, they are recorded and CBSA officers can send you home. I have seen alot of Americans got denied at the airport. YYZ usualy pretty busy , so sometimes they dont have time to check your record but quieter airport...they have a lot of time to track your record.
and they keep the record on the your file. so if you were at the secondarym more than likely they will put you to secondary again . sucks I know and they are trained to do that so they can make mistake. good luck by entering canada:)

[Cdnshaz]

You are not the only one that canadian customs/immigration pull aside. I am canadian citizen and any time I travel home without my husband, THEY SEARCH ME...every time...even made a bet with my husband last time for £10 that I would get searched..yep I was right..
what does a middle aged grand mother do to threaten them so? they treat me like dirt as well...which after finding out my rights, they will never do again.

[ImmOfficer]

There are two stamps that you could get at a POE. One is black and is surrounded by maple leafs (this is Customs - Valid for 6 months). The other is blue and red (this is from an Immigration Officer - valid for however long he or she decides). Immigration Officers verify everything you tell them. We're trained to dig, find the truth, and then admit or deny.

Being American does not make someone special to the Canadian Border Officers. With the exception of NAFTA (which makes it a bit easier to get a work permit), American citizens are treated no differently than any other visa-exempt country.

As for what we are putting into those computers... Usually we're just practicing poetry

[tai]

hi ImmOfficer

I have a US green card and I am visiting my daughter in Calgary Canada, I traveled by air and CBSA did not stamp my passport. So, how long can i stay in Canada? Also can i apply to extend my stay?

Thanks