CROSSING THE BORDER FOR COUPLE OF DAYS

[Iay]

When I was filling out my application for PR card renewal, I thought of the small trips I made to the states through the land border.
I didn't include them as they are really short trips and most of them are just couple of days.
I included whatever is 2 weeks or longer absence in Canada.
I have been in Canada for 5 years and my work and school experience can attest that I have been here for way more than 3 years.

What do you guys think? Do you think this would be a problem? Do I need to be exact when putting all the dates that I have been out of the country?

 

[steaky]

You should had include every absences even if it was a single day.

 

[Iay]

You should had include every absences even if it was a single day.

I don't have all of those dates since they don't really stamp the passport when you do a border crossing by land, so I have no means of knowing it.

 

[steaky]

I don't have all of those dates since they don't really stamp the passport when you do a border crossing by land, so I have no means of knowing it.

Well, I'm sure you can get those dates from CBP and CBSA.

 

[scylla]

Well, I'm sure you can get those dates from CBP and CBSA.

Agreed that you needed to be exact and include all dates. You should have kept a record of your trips. If you didn't do this - then as steaky said above - you could have requested your travel record.

 

[Iay]

I already submitted my application, so I don't know how I can go with this now.
I guess I'll know once they received it.

 

[Msafiri]

1. Sorry you can't pick and mix which travel days you declare and which one's you don't. You have to declare all days. Its even worse for you as you do know some of the 'travel' days you just ignored them on a 'less than 2 week' basis. Its your responsibility to keep track of your travel dates so you should check all avenues open to you for this info such as gas receipts, border shopping receipts, hotel bills, bank/credit statements etc.

2. CIC should have all your entry data so they will note the mismatch. They will either let this slide on the basis of giving you a break or they may decide there is a misrepresentation issue/ needs further checks and refer your application to the Local Office. The LO will send you a Residence Questionnaire and/or require to also an interview. This will take you out the regular processing stream into the 12-18 month stream.

 

[Iay]

Thanks for all your replies

I'll probably email CIC quoting my UCI number once they received my package.
I'll let them know that I skipped the short trips I did to the states as I didn't have the exact dates with me. I'll ask them to let me know if they would require it as I can request it at the CBSA website if needed.

 

[Msafiri]

It could be up to 3 months before you see any update on ecas stating processing has commenced on your file i.e. just because its delivered to CIC doesn't mean its been looked at. It will sit in the CIC mailing room until they get to the relevant point in time where they are opening up the batch of applications received at around the same time you mailed yours in.

I'd wait until CIC get in touch if they need further info. Any email you send now will likely get a generic unhelpful response. The PR Card renewal forms have a section to grant CIC permission to get your entry records from CBSA - did you keep a copy of your submitted forms? You should apply for the CBSA records now so you are ahead if these are requested. The CBSA website will have a section on obtaining your travel records under the ATIP process (Access To Information and Privacy).

 

[Iay]

It could be up to 3 months before you see any update on ecas stating processing has commenced on your file i.e. just because its delivered to CIC doesn't mean its been looked at. It will sit in the CIC mailing room until they get to the relevant point in time where they are opening up the batch of applications received at around the same time you mailed yours in.

I'd wait until CIC get in touch if they need further info. Any email you send now will likely get a generic unhelpful response. The PR Card renewal forms have a section to grant CIC permission to get your entry records from CBSA - did you keep a copy of your submitted forms? You should apply for the CBSA records now so you are ahead if these are requested. The CBSA website will have a section on obtaining your travel records under the ATIP process (Access To Information and Privacy).

Yup, I saw that online request right after I submitted my application (I should've checked it out before submitting :)

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely wait for their email when they started processing my app.
Also, do you have an idea how long is the wait to get the CBSA info?

 

[Msafiri]

CBSA will send you ICES Traveler data info usually with 30 days after they receive your request. If you apply now you will probably get it before CIC open up your PR Card renewal application and load this on ecas.

 

[steaky]

To get travel records from CBP, read here:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/976