Hi Everybody,
I would like to share my flag poling experience yesterday Jan 11, 2017. We arrive at around 10:30 and finished approximately half an hour (it would be faster if we are not walking or we know which door to enter). At the US border, no one stopped us and we went directly inside (had trouble looking for the door) and immediately went in line. After few minutes we were called and asked what is our purpose. We said flagpoling. The officer took our passport and no other questions asked after that. After few minutes, he gave us the refusal paper (the term refusal may sound harsh but I have B1/B2 visa, and this is actually the procedure with the reason "flagpole"). He instructed us to go back to the Canada border and no one accompany us to the Canada border. We walked again and looked for the lane or the door for pedestrian. At the counter (Canada border), She asked for the purpose and took our passport. Few questions asked like "Did someone give you a gift while you were in the US?", "Did you buy something from the thrift store?", "Did you bring any agricultural products, fruits, vegetable, poultry, meat etc?" and others. It took less than 2 minutes. Then we went inside for the landing. The officer asked for our CoPR and passport. She asked some few questions, like "Have you ever been convicted to any crime inside or outside Canada?", "How much money do you have in your account?" Etc...
I know that we should bring valid Work Permit, visa, ID's, Passport and CoPR. Guess what, What they actually needed from us are Passports and CoPRs. They did not asked for my work permit, any other ID's, they did not even open my bag (which I know they have scanners so they know that what inside are just papers). I would also like to remind you that every person had different experience at the border. Some were asked for work permit, bank details, residential addresses, blah blah. But our experience was quick, less complicated and no drama.
Good luck for those who are waiting. I know the long wait is killing you but it is worth the wait. God bless us!
