U.S. to Canada while PR is in process

[michaelab]

Okay I know I asked the similar question but I wanted to be sure...

*I have applied for PR (the application arrived to Mississauga yesterday).
*I am driving up to Canada and telling the IO that we (me and our daughter, she is waiting for her Canadian citizenshpi certificate) are going to visit my husband for 6 months.
*I have all the copies of PR application, marriage certificate, invitation letter from my husband, proof of my daugheter's Canadian citizenship certificate is in process, and other proof of fiance (bank statements both in Canada and U.S.). I own the car that I will be driving and I have the children who lives with my exhusband in the States.
*I won't have a lease agreement in the States (my lease will be up within days when I cross) but my friend agreed to let me live with her if I get sent back but I am not asking her to write the letter.
*in the past when I cross I was asked many questions but never asked to provide the proof of anyhting besides the birth certificate of our child.

What exactly should I say to the IO when I cross? Should I ask for the visitor record right away? or should I wait for them to direct me to the secondary and let them decide what I deserve without my asking? Usually the IO asks me "What is your nationality?" "What the nature of the visit?" and "how long will you be staying?"..sometimes they ask if I work (which I don't..I am a stay at home mom) and where I live (if I rent or own the place). They often ask if I own the vehicle I am driving (whcich I do).

What do you think my chance of being turned around? Have you or anyone you know from the States who had a PR in progress and turned away? Please feel free to share your view. And if you have a reference or whatever please provide (if you can).

Thanks!!!

 

[tigerpika]

I am watching this thread because I will be doing something similar in a few months (minus the children). Good Luck!

 

[sbwv09]

You don't have to have a visitor's record in order to stay for 6 months. Unless they write a different date on your passport, you can stay for 6 months regardless of if you have a visitor's record or not, and you can still extend your status within Canada. I wouldn't ask for a visitor's record.. they will give you one if they want to. The rest of your plan seems fine

 

[AllisonVSC]

When are you going, michaelab, at what crossing will you use? I drove up through Buffalo last year and got refused at the border...insufficient evidence of ties to the US. I had my partially completed PR app in the car (had a DMP appt in Toronto and hadn't even paid my fees yet) and they thought I would overstay. I got flustered and did not provide evidence of a job (teacher on summer vacation) or of owning my home ...and I had evidence of BOTH in my car!!

I just went back again the next day to a different crossing (not intentionally to fool immigration, I just spent the night in a hotel closer to that crossing) with evidence in hand and my Sh** together. I thought my passport would be flagged but the border guard waved me through in like 30 seconds with no secondary screening. A month later it was flagged when I went to France and flew back to Toronto. But they let me in, gave me a visitor record, told me to file my PR (we were waiting for the option C printout), and if I wanted to stay longer, he said to file an extension too.

I think you have plenty to document your doing this all the right way and look forward to hearing how it goes. And, if you get turned away, try again at a later time, on another day, or a different location.

Best wishes,
Allison

 

[michaelab]

You don't have to have a visitor's record in order to stay for 6 months. Unless they write a different date on your passport, you can stay for 6 months regardless of if you have a visitor's record or not, and you can still extend your status within Canada. I wouldn't ask for a visitor's record.. they will give you one if they want to. The rest of your plan seems fine

I know I don't need a visitor's record for 6 months of stay but I wasn't sure how I could prove to CIC when I want to extend the visit without a stamp on my passport. Has anyone extended the visit without one (the stamp on passport)??

Yeah I am leaning on not to ask for the visitor's record and let them tell me if I need...but at the same time I am not sure how hard it is to prove for the extention...so.. ???

Thanks!!

 

[sbwv09]

I believe they just look up the information from your passport swipe. I know they will do at least that if you say you are staying for a longer period of time. On the extension forms they ask you to provide your passport and last crossing information to do just that.

 

[michaelab]

Allison,

I am going in the end of July. I am going thru Niagara falls(?)..I used to go thru Buffalo but they always sent to the secondary right after asking my name and length of visit lol (!!!). Actually it was by an accident like you to find the different POE. I am glad though since Niagara falls IOs are nicer and never sent me to the secondary.

When you got refused at Buffalo, how long did you tell them you were staying? What questions did they ask you? I can recall when I crossed Buffalo..they were pretty tough on me too.

Do you think it will help me the fact that I have already paid and applied for the PR? Only thing I really don't have is the lease for my apartment (since the lease will be up within days of crossing).
Except for that lease (and the job..i am a stay at home mom), I have all the docutments...so.hhhhmmm.
And I also wonder if crossing with my daughter will help especially if we are crossing to spend sometime with her daddy and the family?? (okay it might be a long shot but I wonder)


Thanks!!

 

[AllisonVSC]

I crossed about one year ago June 23 or 24 and I told them I was staying until Aug 15 which was back to work day at my school. I think the docs you have will help you a lot. They did ask if I had paid my fees (not yet) and why I hadn't submitted my app. I told them I needed the medical...there was not one anywhere close to where I lived in the states and that I was waiting for the FBI. The red flag I think was that I had already packed some stuff and made my list of goods (labeled with box numbers no less) which would indicate that I did not intend to return.

Don't worry, just tell them the truth and don't carry a list of pre-packed goods with you across the border!!
Allison

 

[michaelab]

I believe they just look up the information from your passport swipe. I know they will do at least that if you say you are staying for a longer period of time. On the extension forms they ask you to provide your passport and last crossing information to do just that.

Thanks!
Okay so they know when I cross by swiping even they don't stamp the passport...right? (please bear with me I am slowly catching on, I think lol) So for those who crossed the border by driving don't usually have any problems extending their visit...right??

When you said "last crossing information" what they ask exactly? Location and date? But technically they would know by searching my passport number even I lack the stamp or the tickets, I assume?


The CIC site on extending the visit really doesn't help me since they assume we are all flying to the country! Do people who fly from the States get a stamp? I don't know since I have never flown.

Thanks!!

 

[michaelab]

I crossed about one year ago June 23 or 24 and I told them I was staying until Aug 15 which was back to work day at my school. I think the docs you have will help you a lot. They did ask if I had paid my fees (not yet) and why I hadn't submitted my app. I told them I needed the medical...there was not one anywhere close to where I lived in the states and that I was waiting for the FBI. The red flag I think was that I had already packed some stuff and made my list of goods (labeled with box numbers no less) which would indicate that I did not intend to return.

Don't worry, just tell them the truth and don't carry a list of pre-packed goods with you across the border!!
Allison

Did you go through Niagara Falls on your 2nd attempt? Did they question or had you provide any proof of residence or employment? Did you also mention to them about the intention of PR?

As for getting the VR (after France), how long did you tell them you were visiting? Did you ask for the VR? or they just gave you and for how long? sorry for asking so many questions!

I will be so nervous and nauseous when I cross. Last time I was shaking like a leaf lol. :-[ Good thing IO didn't notice.

I will not pack anything more than I need..mostly the baby items anyway. I will ship everything else. Thanks!!

 

[AllisonVSC]

Did you go through Niagara Falls on your 2nd attempt?
I'M NOT SURE WHERE I WAS THE FIRST TIME, BUT I THINK I WENT TO THE PEACE BRIDGE (WHICHEVER IS CLOSEST/EASIEST FROM ERIE, PA). THE SECOND TIME WAS LEWISTON NORTH OF NIAGARA.

Did they question or had you provide any proof of residence or employment? Did you also mention to them about the intention of PR?
YES THEY DID. I GOT PULLED OVER BECAUSE I DECLARED A "WEAPON". I DID NOT KNOW PEPPER SPRAY WAS ILLEGAL!! WHEN THEY SEARCHED MY CAR THEY FOUND THE PR DOCS. THEN THEY ASKED FOR PROOF OF RESIDENCE AND JOB (WHICH I HAD WITH ME BUT DID NOT REALIZE IN THE MOMENTS).

As for getting the VR (after France), how long did you tell them you were visiting?
WHEN I RETURNED FROM FRANCE I GOT SENT TO IMMIGRATION AT THE AIRPORT. THE IO ASKED IF I HAD "TROUBLE" AT THE BORDER THE LAST TIME I CAME TO CANADA. I TOLD HIM NO AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. I REPEATED THAT MY INTENDED LEAVE BY DATE WAS STILL AUG 15 AS STATED AT LEWISTON. HE GAVE ME THE VR WITH A LEAVE BY DATE OF AUG 16. HE LET MY PARTNER (SPONSOR) JOIN ME. EXPLAINED WHAT I NEEDED TO DO TO FILE AN EXTENSION AND LET ME GO.

Did you ask for the VR? or they just gave you and for how long? sorry for asking so many questions!
NO, I DIDN'T ASK. HE GAVE IT. WHILE HE WASN'T NICE BY SOUTHERN US STANDARDS ;D, HE WAS POLITE, EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AND ANSWERED OUR QUESTIONS. HE SAID I COULD STAY BEYOND AUG 16 WHILE MY PR WAS IN PROCESS BUT THAT I HAD TO FILE THE EXTENSION TO REMAIN IN CANADA LEGALLY.

I will be so nervous and nauseous when I cross. Last time I was shaking like a leaf lol. :-[ Good thing IO didn't notice.

I will not pack anything more than I need..mostly the baby items anyway. I will ship everything else. Thanks!!

GOOD LUCK. DON'T WORRY. BE HONEST AND LET US KNOW HOW IT GOES!
ALL THE BEST, ALLISON

 

[michaelab]

Thanks for your reply! I think you did go through the same POEs! I found the Niagara one much nicer.

So in your opinion, is it better to tell the IOs that I am in the process of PR application when I cross? I want to be fully prepared when I cross.
Its going to be hard for me to prove my residency or job if they ask me..I don't know what I should do. I guess I should mention my lease will expire soon and I am planning on to stay at my friends upon my return? I wonder if they will be convinced enough.

Thanks!!

 

[AllisonVSC]

Don't lie but don't, in my opinion, offer any extra info either unless asked directly. Be pleasant and smile, and ask for specifics about what you need to provide if they deny you entry. And then if you do get turned around, try again. Last resort you do have a backup plan.

And definitely don't stress about it now if you are going at the end of July (esp at this time on Friday night...go for a good night's sleep instead!). Gather info from other people's experiences and do the best you can to be prepared.

 

[iarblue]

I wouldnt say im planning on staying six months either.I would say you were coming to visit your spouse and let them decide how long to let you stay once your here you can extend.And if says well how long are you planning on staying i would say well that depends on how long you give me a stamp for.Tell them what ever date they stamp on your passport is when you will leave.
When you show you know you have to leave on the date stamped they kinda like it,he will notify you that if you require to stay longer that you need to extend the visa.Then tell him perfect you understand completely.
Carrying all your PR proof and proof of fees they seem to not have any problem letting US citizens in.And in most cases give you the full 6 months.The biggest thing is to let them know you understand the visit laws,and extension laws.
Most cases US citizens carrying the correct proof and knowing the law have no problems at the POE.

 

[michaelab]

Thanks for the replies! :-*

So "no" for mentioning PR process until they ask? and let them give me whatever, VR or not? As long as I can extend the visit w/out requiring the stamp on my passport I don't mind if i don't get a VR.

As for how long I am going to visit...I am worried that they would be more concerned if I tell them 6 months..but if I tell them 1 month or so wouldn't they type into the computer or something? I just don't want them to come back later time and ask me why I stayed for 6 months when I told them I was coming in for 1 month. Any suggestions?

I just don't want to say anything to trigger them to think that I won't leave after the visit. I guess it might be hard for them to assume I would leave since I am married to a Canadian, has a baby with him, and PR is in process. I wish I knew exactly what and how I should say to them. I just hope they will be reasonable and compassionate enough to think the families shouldn't have to live apart.