PR Residency - Exit Entry visa land border between Canada and US

[visiting_canada]

Hi All,

Just want to check whether the Canadian border folks record exit from Canada if you drive to US in a car for weekends for shopping and come back.? Passport was not stamped while exit or entry.

Or is it just recorded just when you depart and arrive into Canada by air.

Also, if you drive into Canada for work everyday from US, and return to US in the night, can you use these days as spent in Canada for residency?

Please advise as I will need to calculate my residency days in Canada.

Regards,

 

[clearly]

AFAIK, the CBSA doesn't record your exit from Canada. You have to keep careful records unfortunately. If you have NEXUS they would have the data I think.

Also, if the day ends or starts in Canada you can treat it for residency I believe. If it is a day trip to the US and you come back the same day you don't have to report it apparently, according to the FAQ.

https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/redir.do;jsessionid=2A249CF38EC601CB5D358C411327B5A9?redir=faq#PP

https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/redir.do;jsessionid=2A249CF38EC601CB5D358C411327B5A9?redir=faq#Q9

Just an aside, you can count days you were in Canada before you became a PR as half days.

 

[zardoz]

Also, if you drive into Canada for work everyday from US, and return to US in the night, can you use these days as spent in Canada for residency?

I am far from convinced that day trips FROM the USA to Canada will be counted as Canadian residency days. The day both starts and ends outside Canada.

 

[Ponga]

It appears that the CBSA do track those exiting Canada:
http://travelinsurancefile.com/headlines/canada-and-us-to-share-border-data/

However, this link states that this will only be for third-country nationals:
http://beyondtheborderobserver.org/2013/06/28/cbsa-announces-entryexit-initiative-phase-ii-kicks-off-june-30/

[from link]:
"...the CBSA and DHS will exchange entry data collected on third-country nationals (those who are neither citizens of Canada nor of the U.S.), permanent residents of Canada who are not U.S. citizens, and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who are not Canadian citizens, at all automated land ports of entry along the common border, including all major land border crossings. This exchange will begin on June 30."

But, the information for Phase I (in the second link) states this:
"...Under the Beyond the Border Action Plan, both countries committed to begin Phase II on June 30, 2013, whereby biographic information collected on third-country nationals, permanent residents of Canada and lawful permanent residents in the United States at all automated common land border ports of entry (land, ferry and pedestrian) will be exchanged. ..."

Not quite sure which one to believe. :-\