Visiting Canada from US

[nyssa]

Hello! I figured I would post this on a new thread. I am flying from Milwaukee to Toronto this Saturday. I just visited Canada for my boyfriend's sister's wedding in April... is this going to be a problem, because I was JUST there? Also, the interrogation part, the customs part, that's as soon as I get off the plane in Toronto? How does that work? (We drove up there in April).

I was planning, originally, on telling them I was coming to see my boyfriend for 12 days, which is the truth. Show them my return ticket, and if they need further proof, I'll have a letter from my employer (which is just a family owned pizza place... I hope that's not a problem), a few pay stubs, 2-3 previous bank statements, a credit card statement, and my return ticket, and about $700 US dollars in traveller's checks. This all sounds good to me, but I want to confirm here. Can I say I'm going to visit my boyfriend and will the fact that I was just there be an issue? I have no rent, I live with my parents.

And in October, when I go there to get married, I'm going to be there for a month. Is that going to be a problem after being there at this point three times in one year, and this time for a month?? Obviously, I'm REALLY nervous about all this, because I miss him and don't want anything to ruin it, and I just want to do everything the right way!! Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Boncuk]

No it sounds good and sounds like you are well prepared..
In October.. when you go to get married.. just have lots of proof you will be returning once again.. You can't predict what will happen but at least you will be prepared for the worst.. they may just wish you well and let you on your merry way.. sometimes they question more.. I've mostly heard nothing but postive things though.. just have lots of evidence.. wish you the best on your trip

 

[nyssa]

Thanks Boncuk!! :-D
I'm so anxiety ridden. It's funny, I feel a lot more confident about filing now, but all my stresses are with just visiting!!! Your post cheered me up, thank you.

 

[HBeach78]

Seems you have all of your ducks in a row... better to have too much, than not enough.

I have made the drive up to Canada from Massachusetts several time with out any issues... I still have to stay here in the US because I still have to work while my paperwork is being processed...

Here are the typical questions you may be asked...
* Where are you coming from?... City and State will be fine for the answer
* Where are you going?... simple enough to answer
* What is the nature of your visit?...vacationing, visiting, business
* How long are you staying/ Who are you visiting?... As long as you have mention that you have a return ticket and mention that you are due back at work, that was always enough for me.
Then come the...
* Are you carrying any weapons, pepper spray, mace, tabacco, alcohol? Hopefully you are not
* Do you have anything you want to declare that exceeds the amount ot $10,000?
* Are you leaving anything up there? Like gifts, presesnts...

And that's about the extent of their questions... At least from my experience during my 5 road trips through the border.. Obviously I wouldn't have a return ticket... But I've never stayed more than 5-7 days... Oh but now they are asking if you've ever been arested...

Your passport and a copy of your marriage certificate (once you get one) is what I would take with you anytime you cross the border.

Try not to stress too much, and enjoy your trip!

 

[mud504@yahoo]

The last couple times that I've crossed they've started asking me more questions about my job. You seem really prepared tho, no worries

 

[Suin]

Your passport and a copy of your marriage certificate (once you get one) is what I would take with you anytime you cross the border.

will not a marriage certificate act as a red flag?

 

[nyssa]

Okay! Thank you! I believe I will just be honest and say I'm going to visit my boyfriend.

 

[RobsLuv]

Actually, it's better if you just say you're going to visit family friends. Bringing a romantic relationship into it causes suspicion that you won't actually leave when you say you will - because you won't want to leave him, or maybe you actually intend to marry him in Canada, etc. Just leave it at family friends, be prepared with your return flight itinerary . . . and your job letter, etc., (only if they start asking for more as things progress). If you don't raise any red flags, you should be able to get through with a casual visit to friends and a return itinerary home. Don't throw all the rest at them unless they ask for it - and only ever give them just what they ask for. Same with answering questions - don't elaborate, keep it simple.

Secondly - you asked when the interview will happen when you fly in and I didn't notice (as I read quickly through the replies) whether anyone answered this. You'll get off the plane, collect your luggage, hand in that little customs paper they ask you to fill out on the plane about whether you're bringing into Canada certain items, and then the last thing you do is line up for the immigration interviews. You'll know you're there when you get into a big room with a bunch of little booth/desk things lined up at the head of the room and people in lines at each booth. Wait in line, then when it's your turn approach with your passport ready. They'll ask the purpose of your visit (visiting some family friends on holiday), they may ask their names and where they live (tell them the city name, and if your bf has a sister or a mom, give her name - not his), they may ask if you're staying with them, you can say yes. They will for sure ask how long you intend to stay - just be sure your answer the same date that's on your return flight itinerary. You can even say, until such-and-such date, or I'm returning home on such-and-such date at such-and-such time. They may ask to see the flight itinerary to verify this. Hopefully that will be the end of it - and they'll tell you to enjoy your stay.

IF they're not satisfied at that point, they'll ask you to step aside and go into secondary interview - and that's when you'll have to start pulling out your employment letter, etc.

Good Luck.

 

[nyssa]

Thanks robsluv! I was very confused about this part. I'm flying out tomorrow!! I'm so excited!! I'm sure when they see my proof of return, they'll know I mean to. I'm nervous about all the times I'm visiting this year though, and I especially hope in October they will let me through! This is my first time doing this. In April it was easy, because we were just visiting for his sister's wedding and I had the invitation. Well thanks for the good luck wishes!!! And all the help!

 

[nyssa]

Well, my boyfriend thinks it would be fine if I say the truth, that I'm coming to see him. What's the worst case scenerio if I come prepared with pay stubs, bank info, a letter from work, etc? I know it's a possibility they could make me turn around, but is it likely??

 

[mud504@yahoo]

U should always be prepared Hope all went or goes well with the flight and customs

 

[nyssa]

Just wanted to say, I had NO problems at all, thank you all for your help! He didn't even ask me how long I was staying, strange, right? Well, now the wedding's in October and I'm going to be gone for a month and a day. So now it's, I've been to Canada in April for 2 weeks, July for 2 weeks and now October-November for a month... does anyone have any experience like this?? Should I worry? I'm thinking about flying to Buffalo, and then taking a bus to Toronto.

 

[mud504@yahoo]

I travel every couple months for 1-2 weeks at a time. I've never stayed an entire month, but it is allowed. I've also rode the bus twice from Indiana to St. Catharines, Ontario which you will go through before you hit Toronto with no problem. Both times going through Buffalo.

 

[nyssa]

Thank you again! I'm debating if I should buy one ticket for a couple weeks early and refund it later. Did you tell them you were visiting friends?

 

[mud504@yahoo]

When my husband took a bus down here to Indy 4 trips I would drive him back up, but 4 border purposes just incase he always purchased a return ticket. Everytime that I've crossed the border I've always said that I'm going to visit my boyfriend/husband. The only time that I had a problem with stating that was our first meet. I wasn't denied entry, I was just questioned more to make sure that it would be safe for me. But everyone seems to say that its more safe to say your visiting friends. I just think honesty would work better and so far in my situation I've had no problems crossing into Canada. Just getting back into US where they seem to quesiton more.