Flagpoling - I need opinions!

[missmatalini]

Hi all!

So, my visitor extension is up on September 10th, and my husband and I have been preparing to send out another extension - which is 100$. Duh.

We're on the last leg of the journey to PR, it's been a month since the RPRF was requested and so I felt like extending my stay on paper is a bit of a waste of money.

We aren't that far from the border, it'll be somewhat cheaper to just go flagpole. So, here are my questions.

1. Is it kind of a risk to be flagpoling instead of just sending in the paper? I don't want to get down there and them not let me back in.

2. If we have sponsorship approval paper, the receipt for the RPRF and my almost expired Visitor Visa will they be ok with me flagpoling? (I know every situation is unique and it depends on the border officer in the end though)

Any opinions and thoughts would be great! Thanks!

 

[rhcohen2014]

i am confused. i don't think "flagpoling" is an option for extending stays? am i wrong in assuming this?

it is my guess your entry will be seen as a new entry. there is a chance you go to the border with proof you have already applied for the extension, they will grant it, as it's been done before. either way, you'll have to pay the fee for it before you get to the border. i don't think it's a guarantee this will work though...

 

[missmatalini]

i am confused. i don't think "flagpoling" is an option for extending stays? am i wrong in assuming this?

it is my guess your entry will be seen as a new entry. there is a chance you go to the border with proof you have already applied for the extension, they will grant it, as it's been done before. either way, you'll have to pay the fee for it before you get to the border. i don't think it's a guarantee this will work though...

I was going to do it as a new entry and thus give me 6 months in Canada. We're trying to weigh the chance of them saying no way and me being stuck in Washington State.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I was going to do it as a new entry and thus give me 6 months in Canada. We're trying to weigh the chance of them saying no way and me being stuck in Washington State.

OH! well i think the chance of being denied entry with your application being IN PROCESS is low. They may or may not grant you a long term stay again, though they may not even bother you at all because you are so close to the end. It's impossible to know for sure, because as you know it's always dependant on the border agent you meet. However, i do think it is far safer to just stay put and apply to extend online...

 

[missmatalini]

OH! well i think the chance of being denied entry with your application being IN PROCESS is low. They may or may not grant you a long term stay again, though they may not even bother you at all because you are so close to the end. It's impossible to know for sure, because as you know it's always dependant on the border agent you meet. However, i do think it is far safer to just stay put and apply to extend online...

They never even stamped my passport on my last entry over a year ago (Not saying they won't this time or that it will happen again. . )


Anyone else have any experience with flagpoling while their application was in process?

 

[missmatalini]

No one? :\

 

[scylla]

Riskier to flagpole than to spend the $100 and send the application - but obviously your choice.

 

[Alurra71]

No one? :\

Are you a US citizen? If you are then you can go into the local immigration offices at the border, show them your current visitor record, a copy of your receipts or whatever you have for your PR application and tell them you would like to obtain another visitor record until your PR is finalized. They should ask you minimal questions maybe ask to see a copy of your fbi report, so if you have it, take it with you and also your marriage certificate, if your spouse isn't there with you. They should give you a new visitor record on the spot, more than likely it will be for 12 months, maybe 18 and they don't charge. At least this was my experience at the border in Windsor, ON.

Good luck.

 

[missmatalini]

Are you a US citizen? If you are then you can go into the local immigration offices at the border, show them your current visitor record, a copy of your receipts or whatever you have for your PR application and tell them you would like to obtain another visitor record until your PR is finalized. They should ask you minimal questions maybe ask to see a copy of your fbi report, so if you have it, take it with you and also your marriage certificate, if your spouse isn't there with you. They should give you a new visitor record on the spot, more than likely it will be for 12 months, maybe 18 and they don't charge. At least this was my experience at the border in Windsor, ON.

Good luck.

I am a U.S citizen.

We have all the documents you listed except for an FBI report, as we didn't need that for our application (because I left the states right after my 18th birthday)

It's just going to be a lot cheaper to flagpole than to send out all the paperwork for the visitor extension. Still fence sitting on what we want to do though.

 

[Alurra71]

I am a U.S citizen.

We have all the documents you listed except for an FBI report, as we didn't need that for our application (because I left the states right after my 18th birthday)

It's just going to be a lot cheaper to flagpole than to send out all the paperwork for the visitor extension. Still fence sitting on what we want to do though.

The 'risk' involved there is if they decide to not let you in. The option I gave you means you don't even have to leave Canada to get the visitor record and you won't have to pay for it either. Just a suggestion. If you didn't require an FBI print, then all the better for you.

 

[missmatalini]

The 'risk' involved there is if they decide to not let you in. The option I gave you means you don't even have to leave Canada to get the visitor record and you won't have to pay for it either. Just a suggestion. If you didn't require an FBI print, then all the better for you.

We decided not to risk it. Sending away the paperwork tomorrow morning.

Thanks