Visitor Record

[BeShoo]

Thank you all for the many replies! I just don't know how my husband could meet me at the aiport security part in Toronto, because no one is allowed at that section except for inbound passengers. That's my confusion, I suppose.

I base my comments on what happened last November when my partner came to Canada for the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend. Possibly his big mistake was that he brought sweet potatoes for our Thanksgiving dinner. Those got seized, but they took him for secondary questioning.

They sensed that he seemed to be hiding something, and he finally admitted to them that we were boyfriends. They asked him some other questions, then an officer called me on my cell phone. I think she wanted to verify what he was saying and make sure that his "story" wasn't different from mine.

I was just pulling into a parking space at the airport parking garage when my phone rang. The officer asked if I knew him, how we knew each other, how long ago, whether we'd ever met before, if he was really staying with me, where I was and if I was going to pick him up, if I was going to support him during his stay, things along those lines. She told me he'd be out in a few minutes.

They stamped his passport and for a long time we believed that they had only given him 4 month, since we thought that "MA" stood for March. Now we realize that "MA" is actually May, so it was 6 months. Anyway, they could possibly opt to interview your husband on the phone as they did with me, and I think they could also escort him into the secure area if they really wanted to.

They will let you in easily as long as they think you'll be going back afterwards.

 

[nyssa]

Thanks BeShoo! That makes sense. SO far, truthfulness HAS always worked for me. Let's hope that stays the same.

 

[BeShoo]

When I tell them I want to stay for 6 months, I get sent to secondary inspection. When I tell them I live with my parents (due to going through divorce) and don't have a job, they give me a hard time. They usually ask if I have handed in my application for PR yet.

You're like a textbook case of someone who has no ties to their home country. You don't have a job or a permanent place to live, really. On top of that, you have a boyfriend in Canada. They're going to conclude that you'd rather stay in Canada with your boyfriend because you have next to nothing in the U.S. that you need to go back to.

On top of that, you keep telling them that you're not working on a PR application. They can only conclude that you want to come to Canada illegally. That's how it looks from their point of view.

It truly takes months to put together an application. I think you should start working on it as much as you can. Fill in as much of the forms as possible. They're really going to want to see a receipt showing that you've already paid the fees. It's not the job of the border people to determine if your relationship qualifies, really and you really don't have a right to just move to Canada for a year so you can qualify for common law, athough some have been able to.

 

[Nej]

Don't give up your bank account and credit card. I've been here in Canada for 7 months now and it's really helped. I bank with Bank of America with the states and checked their website about withdrawling out of country and found out that Scotiabank does not charge any fees for using the ABM (ATM). You'll have no credit rating coming in and can't get a credit card until you get PR, a SIN card, and a job. (That's what the lady at the bank here in Canada told me when I tried to get one.) Call your bank or check online to see if they have a "sister" bank in Canada that won't charge tons of fees. With a credit card, you'll probaly be charged a 3% transaction fee when you make purchases in Canada. My husband and I use my credit card ( I have excellent credit in the states and his credit (Canadian) was ruined by his ex-wife) and pay it off via online banking.

 

[nyssa]

I understand not cancelling my cards and bank account and things... but if I'm not working and going to live in Canada, why keep them? I will be running up my credit card and wind up in debt with money that won't be in my bank account to pay it off. I suppose I can keep them until I get my PR card and then cancel...? But I will still have taken out all the money I have in order to move. I should mention, I only get paid $1000 a month, live at home, etc... I don't have anything to my name, really, thus moving is very simple!

 

[nazirv]

Hi,
I have a similar situation. I am a Canadian Citizen sponsoring my US citizen wife via Outland application to join me in Canada. We both currently live in the USA (11 yrs together). The sponsorship/immigration application and all supporting documents are complete with the exception of the FBI clearance letter. We are at the 3rd attempt due to ineligible prints and hope this time it is legible. We are planning to drive up to Canada together along with our two kids (dual citizens since born in the USA). My question....if I have applied for sponsorship and it is pending when we drive up together in mid July to permanently move to Canada with our belongings, will we encounter any issues with my wife entering as a visitor until her application is processed/approved? With the exception of a few things in our vehicle (which we are also importing with RIV), all our goods will be shipped up.
Thank you

 

[mmshock]

In terms of visiting, should you even bring up that you have applied for PR?

I will be flying to Edmonton in July with my husband to see family for 3 weeks, and will have my return ticket and bank statement. Should we go into the visitor or resident line as a family and tell them right away? Should we wait for them to ask? Should we go in separate lines?

We will then be going back to my parents house and driving to Ontario so he can get moved in. Hes going to drive across with his brother and all our stuff and I'm going to drive over just a little later. Again, I'll have a return ticket just over a month later and other documents. I'll probably be flying from Buffalo and leaving my car there if they ask.

I'll then probably be driving back from Buffalo yet again in October, again for only a month's visit. I guess by that time I'll be an expert and hopefully pretty far along in the process.

I have no job but thats on purpose. I have lived abroad for 6 years and am really looking forward to travelling and seeing lots of friends and family that I've fallen out of touch with. I have substantial savings, own a house, my car. Will that be enough? Am I taking the piss with multiple visits? Or chancing fate?