I'm trying to be sure I can present as much proof and convince the border officers that i'm not trying to sneak in and live there unlawfully. So heres my history thus far with the border... please help me!
I have a boyfriend in Canada. I have driven to visit him twice within a month with no issues crossing the border in Buffalo, NY. (I visited by car May 2-9th 2018 & May 17-31st 2018 NO ISSUES) However, the 3rd time I went to drive across on June 14th 2018, I planned to visit a few months so I had significantly more stuff in my car. (just more clothes and garment bags) I've been raised to tell the truth, so when the officer at the booth asked me how long I was visiting for, I told him I wanted to visit fo 6 months. Apparently Heaven Forbid someone is HONEST!! Aaaaaand then he told me I shouldn't have said 6 months........!! (even though you're legally allowed to visit Canada for 6 months with no other applications needed.) I was being honest of my intentions!! I told him I know that i'm required to come back to the U.S. after 6 months had passed... but my honesty apparently screwed me over here... I was sent to the immigration office at the border. The officer asked several questions, and because I'm legally separated, that my "ties to the U.S." weren't strong enough. My name is on the deed of the home I own in Virginia, I have several bills such as electric, car finance, internet, etc. in my name also that match the home address. But because I again was apparently too honest, I had said I was separated, and so for that reason, he said the proof of my ties to the U.S. I had were not valid enough. He told me until I had a lease agreement of at least 6 months and a full time job in the U.S. and pay stubs and a letter from my employer proving I had a Job that I had to return to, that I wouldn't be able to enter Canada. I asked if I could fly to Canada since my car that is still financed would obviously be left behind... he said he couldn't tell me yes or no. So, I tried flying! I bought a round trip ticket to be there for 2 weeks. When I landed in Canada, I was sent to immigration again and questioned and thankfully I got a lady officer who was very kind and understanding of my situation and granted me entry, but with a visitor record where I was required to show up to the office in the airport the day of my departure to prove I was going to leave Canada. I showed up when they wanted me to, I wanted to be sure to prove to the Canadian officers that read my file from here on out and see that i'm "flagged" that I indeed DO want & plan to comply to their rules.
My concern is that because I would still like to visit my boyfriend for a few months at a time, I don't want to get committed to a full time job when I plan to leave for a few months... ya know?
I do need to drive over the border if Im allowed to visit for a month or more because otherwise Ill be stuck in the house while my boyfriend is at work.
I'm nervous of trying to drive across the border again because I don't want to be refused again!! Also because the 2 border crossings that are closest to me are between 3-6 hours away.
When I try to cross into Canada by car again, what should I say as far as how long I'm going for? I would still like to try again to visit for several months... Obviously honesty in this instance won't help me though. But Im also afraid if I only say a few weeks or 2 weeks rather than a few months that they'll end up giving me a visitor record which would require me to leave after the said 2 weeks even though I really want to visit for longer than that.
What other forms of proof could I show the officers to prove I have ties to the U.S.? I am renting a home now, so I do have a lease... but I've been supporting myself, my rent and car payment from my savings account. Not from regular income. (because like I said, If i'm planning to visit him, I don't want to commit to a job just to ask for a big amount of time off)
If anyone has any suggestions, or stories of your experience that could help me get across the border into Canada (preferably without a visitor record), please please help me out here!
Thank you so much!!!
I have a boyfriend in Canada. I have driven to visit him twice within a month with no issues crossing the border in Buffalo, NY. (I visited by car May 2-9th 2018 & May 17-31st 2018 NO ISSUES) However, the 3rd time I went to drive across on June 14th 2018, I planned to visit a few months so I had significantly more stuff in my car. (just more clothes and garment bags) I've been raised to tell the truth, so when the officer at the booth asked me how long I was visiting for, I told him I wanted to visit fo 6 months. Apparently Heaven Forbid someone is HONEST!! Aaaaaand then he told me I shouldn't have said 6 months........!! (even though you're legally allowed to visit Canada for 6 months with no other applications needed.) I was being honest of my intentions!! I told him I know that i'm required to come back to the U.S. after 6 months had passed... but my honesty apparently screwed me over here... I was sent to the immigration office at the border. The officer asked several questions, and because I'm legally separated, that my "ties to the U.S." weren't strong enough. My name is on the deed of the home I own in Virginia, I have several bills such as electric, car finance, internet, etc. in my name also that match the home address. But because I again was apparently too honest, I had said I was separated, and so for that reason, he said the proof of my ties to the U.S. I had were not valid enough. He told me until I had a lease agreement of at least 6 months and a full time job in the U.S. and pay stubs and a letter from my employer proving I had a Job that I had to return to, that I wouldn't be able to enter Canada. I asked if I could fly to Canada since my car that is still financed would obviously be left behind... he said he couldn't tell me yes or no. So, I tried flying! I bought a round trip ticket to be there for 2 weeks. When I landed in Canada, I was sent to immigration again and questioned and thankfully I got a lady officer who was very kind and understanding of my situation and granted me entry, but with a visitor record where I was required to show up to the office in the airport the day of my departure to prove I was going to leave Canada. I showed up when they wanted me to, I wanted to be sure to prove to the Canadian officers that read my file from here on out and see that i'm "flagged" that I indeed DO want & plan to comply to their rules.
My concern is that because I would still like to visit my boyfriend for a few months at a time, I don't want to get committed to a full time job when I plan to leave for a few months... ya know?
I do need to drive over the border if Im allowed to visit for a month or more because otherwise Ill be stuck in the house while my boyfriend is at work.
I'm nervous of trying to drive across the border again because I don't want to be refused again!! Also because the 2 border crossings that are closest to me are between 3-6 hours away.
When I try to cross into Canada by car again, what should I say as far as how long I'm going for? I would still like to try again to visit for several months... Obviously honesty in this instance won't help me though. But Im also afraid if I only say a few weeks or 2 weeks rather than a few months that they'll end up giving me a visitor record which would require me to leave after the said 2 weeks even though I really want to visit for longer than that.
What other forms of proof could I show the officers to prove I have ties to the U.S.? I am renting a home now, so I do have a lease... but I've been supporting myself, my rent and car payment from my savings account. Not from regular income. (because like I said, If i'm planning to visit him, I don't want to commit to a job just to ask for a big amount of time off)
If anyone has any suggestions, or stories of your experience that could help me get across the border into Canada (preferably without a visitor record), please please help me out here!
Thank you so much!!!
