Need information based off of experience!

[missmatalini]

I'm supposed to be heading up to Canada (British Columbia, I'm not sure which point of entry we are coming through) on July 6th.

My Fiancee and I are flying into Spokane Washington and crossing the boarder by land (Are the borders easier to cross by land than they are airports??) We have both spoken to a border officer who told us to have a letter from my job stating I will be "returning to work" in December (even if I end up never coming back into the states to do so) and bringing some mail with my permanent United States address on it just in case my "intent" on returning to the states is questioned.

If we are crossing the border and we are questioned about our relationship and our plans to get married. . . are we supposed to tell the truth? Or tell a white lie? Most of what I have read has said to make every attempt to stay away from the topic of marriage because they won't let you in with your intent to marry and stay in Canada. . . so what kind of information and how much information is going to negatively impact us getting back into Canada?

I've done everything I can with research to make it through the border just fine, but I am really worried that we are going to have a time limit under 6 months to get things started.
If my passport is stamped and a "leave by" date is included is applying for a Visitor Record still possible? And what are the chances of it being accepted?

Thanks for your help!

 

[canadianwoman]

Definitely have proof of your ties to the USA, such as the job letter. A lease or mortgage, and proof of a bank account are also good, and if you fly, a return ticket.
I'd just say you are visiting and will be going back to the States. If you do get a limited time, you can still apply to extend this (apply about one month before the time limit expires).

 

[papirico]

There are no colors for lies. A lie is a lie no matter what. In Canadian Immigration terms, they are called "misrepresentation of the facts". And it gets bad from there on.

I have no experience lying, I have seen the show they have on TV about CIC and how the interviews go at the port of entry and especially, the lying part.

I do have experience showing up at the airport and stating my true intentions, which were to get married to my fiancée at the time in Vegas (no less), go to Europe for our honeymoon, to then come back again to Canada and apply inland.
Officer asked if I had any proof of all that, which I was happy to show every bit of piece he wanted to see.
This was done 3 times (all of them at the Toronto airport), coming back from our wedding and then again from Europe.
I was accepted in all of them, and also an extension to my visitor record was granted later and also an open work permit without restrictions was given.

Being honest in my experience, does pay off big time.

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Need information based off of experience!

There are no colors for lies. A lie is a lie no matter what. In Canadian Immigration terms, they are called "misrepresentation of the facts". And it gets bad from there on.

I have no experience lying, I have seen the show they have on TV about CIC and how the interviews go at the port of entry and especially, the lying part.

I do have experience showing up at the airport and stating my true intentions, which were to get married to my fiancée at the time in Vegas (no less), go to Europe for our honeymoon, to then come back again to Canada and apply inland.
Officer asked if I had any proof of all that, which I was happy to show every bit of piece he wanted to see.
This was done 3 times (all of them at the Toronto airport), coming back from our wedding and then again from Europe.
I was accepted in all of them, and also an extension to my visitor record was granted later and also an open work permit without restrictions was given.

Being honest in my experience, does pay off big time.

papirico is absolutely correct about "misrepresentation" and it can affect your ability in the long term to gain PR status. It's not worth it. If your plans are not 100% solid and they may be subject to change, that is a bit different. There is a legal duty to disclose "intention" however in the actual immigration act so be very careful and as truthful as possible. Safe travels.