U.S. Citizen given Canadian Visitor Visa

[Kasula85]

Hello,
 I was passing through Canadian Border Patrol about a week ago and having read up on the CIC I believed that I would be able to stay in Canada for the summer without any problems.  The border agent viewed me as a threat for trying to move there....I believe because I said the purpose of my trip was for vacation and visiting friends. I listed a male friend(I am a woman) who is truly just a friend, he has a girlfriend, and the agent gave me a 4 month long visitor visa.  I am confused as to why I was given one and what I should do when I go through customs again.  I will be going back to the states twice(at least) this summer for weddings and do not want to have to deal with interrogations everytime.  I truly have no other intent than to vacation for the summer in Canada.  I visited a town last summer and fell in love with it and decided to work hard during the school year to afford to stay this summer.  Is there anything I should do?  Any doccuments I should carry with me?  I tried calling the CIC embassy branch in the States but they were of no help.  If someone knows the answer please let me know!  Thank you!

[rgvinson777]

You are a woman.  It may be that old "double standard."  As a man, if I was a border agent and a woman attempted to enter Canada alone, I might suspect that her intention might be more likely to get to her husband or boyfriend and stay in the country.  Some men and/or women wouldnt be used to a woman traveling from one country to another unaccompanied.  Even in the west!  I wouldn't permit my wife or daughter to make such a trip alone.     Border agents are trained to be suspicious.  Some are more suspicious than others.  Don't forget, its their country after all.  They have a lot more to be concerned about than our inconveniences.   Don't be so American!  jk   Next time, there may be no problem at all.  If you are an american, you don't even need a visitors visa.  Keep your visa with you when you return to Canada from your visits to the states.  Then they will be more satisfied that your intentions are as you have said.

Enjoy your vacation!!!
RGV

[Kasula85]

I am a U.S. Citizen which is why I don't understand why I was given a visitor visa in the first place.  So I should show this to customs officers when passing through again?  I have travelled extensively and have never been interrogated the way I was at the U.S./Canada border.  I have nothing to hide, but it's like they don't believe that a single woman would truly just vacation for the summer in a foreign country.

[rgvinson777]

I understand.  I don't have a clue why they issued you a visa.  Next time, just present your drivers license and have your birth certificate and the visa they gave you handy.  Just give them what they ask for ( which will most likely be your license) and if there is a problem hand them the visa and ask them why you were issued the visa in the first place.  At least they will recognize that you did indeed leave the country as you had said.  They will be more likely to trust your stated intent.  The last time I crossed, they asked me what I was bringing with me.  I mentioned my tools (which I always carry in my vehicle) and they were concerned that I was coming into the country to work without a work permit.  It's understandable.  There are a lot of people whose intentions are less than honorable.  They searched my vehicle and researched my permanent resedent application in their system and sent me on my merry way. 

Best wishes!!!
RGV