Crossing the border-When do I share information?

[kneekick]

My Canadian husband and I sent off our application (applied outland) back in February and he has already been approved to sponsor me. I have been in Canada since Christmas eve (while we got married and filed the application) and now I am going to Boston for the weekend. I have never overstayed my visas, but I am quite nervous (like many others, from what I've read) about the possibility of getting denied since I was already here for a few months. I'm flying through Porter and will be landing at Billy Bishop. I've never been through that airport so I'm not sure how the IO could be (more strict? less strict?) Anyone with any experience coming through Billy Bishop?

Anyway, getting to the point, I have a flight out of Canada on May 12 to Italy for our delayed honeymoon. So if I should get questioned, I will have a flight leaving, a letter from our lawyer stating that we've applied for PR and he's been approved to sponsor, our marriage certificate, and also the letter from CIC stating he's been approved. Anything else to bring? I don't have an employer back in the US, because I am a freelance writer currently working on my own project and my permanent address is at my grandmother's. Should I have my grandmother give me a lease?

I know there are tons of questions already on this, but usually what to say. I'm more curious about when to say things.
I know to be 100% honest with the IO, but I am curious about how to deliver the information. At what point do I need to give the IO these documents or even state that I am in the process of getting PR? I don't want to be too open right away like "Hi, I'm coming to Canada to see my Canadian husband. We're in the process of applying for PR. Here's the proof. I'm leaving soon." Hahaha That might seem too eager.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[rhcohen2014]

the best information to bring with you while crossing is a lease agreement, pay stubs or a work contract, your marriage certificate and any documents that prove you have already applied for PR. It really depends on the person you get that day. They tend to be more friendly towards married couples with intention to apply. The fact your husband already has been approved is a plus. They will ask you why you are going to canada... tell them the truth - to visit your husband. Then they will probably ask how long you want to stay, and about immigration, and when the last time you were in canada. They are going to ask about immigration, so have your information ready. They usually don't look at my papers, they just see i have a thick envelop. They will ask what you do for work, tell them what you do (i would leave out the freelance bit if you can - so just say your job title, and for who). Remember, most likely they already know the answers to the questions they are asking, so be truthful. Only answer what is asked, and don't elaborate if possible.

Basically they want to see you are following their rules and not making your own. They are very concerned about foreigners "taking jobs aways from canadians", so having proof of employment goes a long way. IF you can get a standard lease written with your grandmother, do it. it will only show you have something to go back to, and you aren't relying on your huband only.

and saying "Hi, I'm coming to Canada to see my Canadian husband. We're in the process of applying for PR. Here's the proof. I'm leaving soon." isn't that bad. I would leave out the i'm leaving soon part, because they will ask you when you want to leave. Letting them know right away you have an application in and your husband is already approved will help you get through faster, in my opinion.

 

[kneekick]

Thank you so much rhcohen2014! Your reply was very helpful!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you so much rhcohen2014! Your reply was very helpful!

anytime! definitely feel free to pm me if you have more questions. i've become a pro at crossing the border!

 

[kneekick]

Just wanted to update with my experience in case anyone finds this thread and is curious for updates.

I had all my documents ready to present on Monday. When I came through YTZ on Monday, I had no problems. The IO asked what I was doing in Canada and I told him I was visiting. He asked what I was visiting and I told him I was visiting my Canadian husband and told him we've already applied for PR. That was all regarding my stay. Then he asked me a few questions about what I was bringing in. I had cannoli and he made a joke about it when I asked if it was okay that I was bringing them in and then I was on my way.

Strangely, when I went to the US, the IO there asked me what I was doing in Canada and I told him I was visiting my Canadian husband. Then he asked me how long I was staying in the US for. I've never heard that question coming "home" to the states.

 

[rhcohen2014]

thanks for the update! it's great to hear of a good experience going through the border.

 

[lleahdoll]

Curious what you answered when the US side asked how long you were staying in the US?
Border crossings make me soooo nervous. I haven't had any problems thus yet. My last crossing was the smoothest as the Canadian VO asked what I was there for "visiting my husband". She stamped my passport and that was all.

But I am nervous if I have to cross again as I have no job or proof of ties to the US. No bills or anything.
Going to apply for an extension in a week so hopefully won't have to deal with border crossings any time soon. We want the extension to finish the paper work and so I can stay with my husband during the process.
He supports me while I'm here. I have never worked illegally. I wish there was a way I could stress that to VOs

 

[rhcohen2014]

Curious what you answered when the US side asked how long you were staying in the US?
Border crossings make me soooo nervous. I haven't had any problems thus yet. My last crossing was the smoothest as the Canadian VO asked what I was there for "visiting my husband". She stamped my passport and that was all.

But I am nervous if I have to cross again as I have no job or proof of ties to the US. No bills or anything.
Going to apply for an extension in a week so hopefully won't have to deal with border crossings any time soon. We want the extension to finish the paper work and so I can stay with my husband during the process.
He supports me while I'm here. I have never worked illegally. I wish there was a way I could stress that to VOs

do you do Admin work? there are freelance websites for admins that are american companies. you can bid on jobs, and technically be "working" for an american company. you are not w2, but 1099 contract worker. they will pay you direct deposit too.

 

[lleahdoll]

do you do Admin work? there are freelance websites for admins that are american companies. you can bid on jobs, and technically be "working" for an american company. you are not w2, but 1099 contract worker. they will pay you direct deposit too.

I have no clue about any of that... I'm not exactly looking for a job.
It'd be good for border crossings but that'd be the only benefit really. I don't really want to stress about one more thing (paying taxes on a freelance job, etc.)

 

[kneekick]

Curious what you answered when the US side asked how long you were staying in the US?
Border crossings make me soooo nervous. I haven't had any problems thus yet. My last crossing was the smoothest as the Canadian VO asked what I was there for "visiting my husband". She stamped my passport and that was all.

But I am nervous if I have to cross again as I have no job or proof of ties to the US. No bills or anything.
Going to apply for an extension in a week so hopefully won't have to deal with border crossings any time soon. We want the extension to finish the paper work and so I can stay with my husband during the process.
He supports me while I'm here. I have never worked illegally. I wish there was a way I could stress that to VOs

I said "I'll be here for four days." Then he handed back my passport. I always get so nervous crossing the border too. I don't think it helps that I got really into watching Border Security for a while. Hahahaa Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed you get the extension. Unfortunately, I'll be coming through many more times since we're doing quite a bit of travel this summer. It really makes vacations more stressful worrying that I'll get in. I'm like you - I don't have much proof of ties to the US. My permanent residence has been my grandmother's address for a few years, so I asked her for a standard lease as recommended by rhcohen2014. As for job, it's a bit harder to prove since I freelance while I'm also working on an independent writing project.

 

[lleahdoll]

I said "I'll be here for four days." Then he handed back my passport. I always get so nervous crossing the border too. I don't think it helps that I got really into watching Border Security for a while. Hahahaa Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed you get the extension. Unfortunately, I'll be coming through many more times since we're doing quite a bit of travel this summer. It really makes vacations more stressful worrying that I'll get in. I'm like you - I don't have much proof of ties to the US. My permanent residence has been my grandmother's address for a few years, so I asked her for a standard lease as recommended by rhcohen2014. As for job, it's a bit harder to prove since I freelance while I'm also working on an independent writing project.

Yeah my permanent residence was my dorm at my university before I met my husband. And I am taking a break from school so I don't have that as my permanent residence. I stayed at various family's places during the summers. So it's hard for me to prove anything. I may not have a job or a house of my own but I would never think of overstaying. I wouldn't want to risk it. Just wish you could convince border officers on your word only. hahah yeah right.