To fib or not to fib?

[SuiGeneris]

My husband is American, I'm Canadian, CIC received our app on September 30. I'm with him right now in the USA, been here for 5 1/2 months and we're going to Canada together to "visit" this weekend. We want to be together for the entire process. But crossing the border, we've been considering fibbing and telling the officer that he's just staying for the holidays so as to not cause problems. Is this good or bad idea? I really don't want them to suspect that we have illegal intentions and limit his visiting time...

Should I just be blunt and honest with the border officers and tell them this, "We applied for spousal sponsorship on Sept 26. We plan on having my husband visit for about 6 months and applying for an extension later on, we should receive CoPR during that period. We just want and need to be together while it processes, we've been in a long distance relationship for 3 years and don't care to be apart anymore. We have good intentions, he will not partake in any illegal activity such as working, etc." And I'd bring proof like a photocopy of our application receipt?

 

[zardoz]

My husband is American, I'm Canadian, CIC received our app on September 30. I'm with him right now in the USA, been here for 5 1/2 months and we're going to Canada together to "visit" this weekend. We want to be together for the entire process. But crossing the border, we've been considering fibbing and telling the officer that he's just staying for the holidays so as to not cause problems. Is this good or bad idea? I really don't want them to suspect that we have illegal intentions and limit his visiting time...

Should I just be blunt and honest with the border officers and tell them this, "We applied for spousal sponsorship on Sept 26. We plan on having my husband visit for about 6 months and applying for an extension later on, we should receive CoPR during that period. We just want and need to be together while it processes, we've been in a long distance relationship for 3 years and don't care to be apart anymore. We have good intentions, he will not partake in any illegal activity such as working, etc." And I'd bring proof like a photocopy of our application receipt?

If you "lie" about your intentions and get caught out, expect problems. Either say nothing or tell the truth. The CBSA doesn't call it "fibbing"...

 

[Edin2Van]

The consequence of lying to the immigration officer (misrepresentation) could mean your spousal visa application is denied and make it very hard for your husband to ever get admitted to Canada as a permanent resident. So I would definitely avoid any lies, however you really don't sound like you need to lie.

As an American citizen there's no particular reason he would be denied a tourist visa as long as you can demonstrate you can support yourself with savings or your salary alone.

Just tell the truth when asked: that he's got a pending visa application, he's entering as a tourist now, and that if his tourist visa expires before he's granted PR that he'll leave the country.

 

[rugrat907]

You should also be prepared to show that he has ties back to the U.S. There are cases where people have been turned away without some sort of proof of having support when going back to the U.S. if something goes wrong. So a letter from a family member, etc. And yes, bring copies of paperwork with you - the best thing to show if asked would be the receipt for paying fees.

 

[o6ocpaka]

My husband is American, I'm Canadian, CIC received our app on September 30. I'm with him right now in the USA, been here for 5 1/2 months and we're going to Canada together to "visit" this weekend. We want to be together for the entire process. But crossing the border, we've been considering fibbing and telling the officer that he's just staying for the holidays so as to not cause problems. Is this good or bad idea? I really don't want them to suspect that we have illegal intentions and limit his visiting time...

Should I just be blunt and honest with the border officers and tell them this, "We applied for spousal sponsorship on Sept 26. We plan on having my husband visit for about 6 months and applying for an extension later on, we should receive CoPR during that period. We just want and need to be together while it processes, we've been in a long distance relationship for 3 years and don't care to be apart anymore. We have good intentions, he will not partake in any illegal activity such as working, etc." And I'd bring proof like a photocopy of our application receipt?

You have the full right to tell the truth to the officer that your current plan is just a few weeks of vacation time, but "plans" change right ? ;D
Your husband is allowed to stay in Canada up for up to 6 months, then he has to extend his stay which is a piece of cake.
We had no issues, and were not even married at the time. If you are worried that much just buy a return ticket for him with a cancellation insurance (30 bucks extra I believe). Never tell them more than they need to know, that will only cause more questions and suspicions. Personally I would tell them about your app in progress only if asked, nowhere does it say that he must disclose this information when entering for a visit. Good luck 8)

 

[Aquakitty]

I think you are fine either way, since you already sent in the PR application. You might want to go the route of actually requesting a visitor record. If he could get one for a year, he can get his Canadian driver's license.

 

[Davmeister13]

Read up on Duel-Intent entry. Its the same as a visitor visa but you inform CSBA that you are staying for the purpose of waiting out your application. I entered Canada under this for 6 months on Oct 3rd with no issues.

 

[o6ocpaka]

I think you are fine either way, since you already sent in the PR application. You might want to go the route of actually requesting a visitor record. If he could get one for a year, he can get his Canadian driver's license.

Actually for my wife it did not matter how long her stay was to get the driver's license. Not sure about other provinces, but in Ontario there is an exchange program - bring the US license, pay something like $70, pass an eye exam and get your full G license. They don't care how long your visa is.

 

[SuiGeneris]

Hello, this is the husband of the OP. Thanks for all the replies. Does anyone know where I can get more info on retrieving a "visitor record". Is this something one requests at the border or can file online at CIC?

Thanks

 

[SuiGeneris]

Thank you for the helpful replies. I 1+´d everyone!

I felt uncomfortable with the prospect of lying at the border and I feel much better about being honest. I don´t want to do anything to jeopardize the application. I stupidly didn´t make a photocopy of the receipt, so I´m going to print my credit card statement. We might buy a fully refundable Greyhound ticket just for the border. We´re interested in this visitor record and would appreciate further information.

The license transfer program Ontario has is such a relief for us, luckily we´re going to Ontario. It´d be such a nightmare if he had to go through that whole G1, G, G2 process!

 

[Rob_TO]

"We applied for spousal sponsorship on Sept 26. We plan on having my husband visit for about 6 months and applying for an extension later on, we should receive CoPR during that period. We just want and need to be together while it processes,

Typically CBSA goes much easier on visitors who already have a PR app in process. So not only should you tell them this upfront, but you should also show them proof of the PR application (like fee receipt, sponsor approval, etc).

 

[Aquakitty]

Actually for my wife it did not matter how long her stay was to get the driver's license. Not sure about other provinces, but in Ontario there is an exchange program - bring the US license, pay something like $70, pass an eye exam and get your full G license. They don't care how long your visa is.

BC is so confused when it comes to licenses. I think it's the same way here as long as you have a visitor record. However they would not give him his full license with just the COPR. Makes no sense at all. Sounds like ON has their act together a little more.

Certainly get the VR if you can, it saves some headaches for sure.

 

[o6ocpaka]

Interesting, I was sure there would be something like this in BC also:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence

I forgot to mention that she also had to get a letter from DMV in Iowa regarding her good and standing license(to get full G). Letter had to be in the envelope and unopened.

 

[carr1]

I'm American and last October I flew into Toronto Pearson and told CBSA I was staying for 3 weeks with my boyfriend for the holidays (I had a return ticket) my intention was to stay longer but had the return ticket in case. In December I exchanged my American drivers license for an Ontario G license and all I needed was a copy of my US drivers record. In March I applied for an extension on my visitor status and was granted 6 months. We then decided to get married and in August applied for PR. We live in a border town so last week we crossed into Detroit for dinner and then back into Canada, when crossing I said I was visiting while our PR App processed, CBSA sent us into secondary where I was given a one year Visitor Record. I needed to show our marriage license both our passports and they asked to see our SA approval as I said we already had it.
The VR allows me to live here but I can't work or study but now I can cross without issues. We crossed last night and had no issues and now when they ask where I live I can say Canada. It's a relief.

I crossed quite a few times over the past year and I usually never had issues except once. I say always tell the truth when crossing but don't give info you don't need to unless asked. Also always carry all your paperwork with you, that has saved me a few times.

good luck!

 

[Aquakitty]

Interesting, I was sure there would be something like this in BC also:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence

I forgot to mention that she also had to get a letter from DMV in Iowa regarding her good and standing license(to get full G). Letter had to be in the envelope and unopened.

They do have the exchange in BC, (he doesn't need a driver's record because he's had his US license for more than 2 years and it shows on the licence) but for some godforsaken reason they would not give him his picture license without the PR card.

Maybe the woman was just confused but she was adamant.

He just has to go in and show his PR card now. It was pretty stupid though, he had to give up his California license for an interim licence, a piece of paper good for 2 months.

I'm American and last October I flew into Toronto Pearson and told CBSA I was staying for 3 weeks with my boyfriend for the holidays (I had a return ticket) my intention was to stay longer but had the return ticket in case. In December I exchanged my American drivers license for an Ontario G license and all I needed was a copy of my US drivers record. In March I applied for an extension on my visitor status and was granted 6 months. We then decided to get married and in August applied for PR. We live in a border town so last week we crossed into Detroit for dinner and then back into Canada, when crossing I said I was visiting while our PR App processed, CBSA sent us into secondary where I was given a one year Visitor Record. I needed to show our marriage license both our passports and they asked to see our SA approval as I said we already had it.
The VR allows me to live here but I can't work or study but now I can cross without issues. We crossed last night and had no issues and now when they ask where I live I can say Canada. It's a relief.

I crossed quite a few times over the past year and I usually never had issues except once. I say always tell the truth when crossing but don't give info you don't need to unless asked. Also always carry all your paperwork with you, that has saved me a few times.

This is good advice, but OP should take in their AOR email to prove it's been sent since they don't have SA yet.