Girlfriend visiting from Japan, possible red flags?

[dylan_tor]

Hi there!

My girlfriend, who is from Japan, wants to come visit me in Toronto for 4 weeks. We met while she was on an IEC working holiday visa in Canada 1 year ago.

Do you think she'll have trouble at the border? Do you have any advice on how to better prepare?

Advantages:

• She has a return ticket booked for 4 weeks later
• She has $12,000 in the bank

Possible red-flags / problems:

1. She is visiting & staying with me, her "boyfriend"
2. She was previously in Canada for 12 months (1 year ago)
3. She is not currently enrolled in university in Japan (dropped out)
4. She has been working at a convenience store in Japan for 6 months. She has pay stubs to show but NO contract.
5. She does not have a lease in Japan as she lives with her parents.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I did spend some time searching and reading on the forum before posting, but was wondering if anyone had advice on these specifics.

 

[bellaluna]

Hi there!

My girlfriend, who is from Japan, wants to come visit me in Toronto for 4 weeks. We met while she was on an IEC working holiday visa in Canada 1 year ago.

Do you think she'll have trouble at the border? Do you have any advice on how to better prepare?

Advantages:

• She has a return ticket booked for 4 weeks later
• She has $12,000 in the bank

Possible red-flags / problems:

1. She is visiting & staying with me, her "boyfriend"
2. She was previously in Canada for 12 months (1 year ago)
3. She is not currently enrolled in university in Japan (dropped out)
4. She has been working at a convenience store in Japan for 6 months. She has pay stubs to show but NO contract.
5. She does not have a lease in Japan as she lives with her parents.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I did spend some time searching and reading on the forum before posting, but was wondering if anyone had advice on these specifics.

Ooof you are right on the red flags. It's just a bit in her favor that she let a year pass before returning to Canada. Honestly, it depends on the CBSA's officer's mood and interpretation of her file. Just don't let her offer any more information than she has to for each question the CBSA officer asks.

If she really, truly intends to stay for only 4 weeks like you say, and she has a return flight, then I think she will be fine. I think the worst case scenario is just that she won't be given a 6-month stay.

 

[canuck78]

I would discourage you from purchasing a flight that is non-refundable until you get an eta.

 

[bellaluna]

I would discourage you from purchasing a flight that is non-refundable until you get a visa.

Japan is visa-exempt, but she needs to apply for an eTA.

 

[dylan_tor]

I would discourage you from purchasing a flight that is non-refundable until you get an eta.

Japan is visa-exempt, but she needs to apply for an eTA.

Thanks! I believe she has an eTA from the last time she came to Canada (they are valid for 5 years).

If she really, truly intends to stay for only 4 weeks like you say, and she has a return flight, then I think she will be fine. I think the worst case scenario is just that she won't be given a 6-month stay.

Okay, so you wouldn't advise doing anything weird or tricky to avoid saying she's visiting me. Just be straight forward, tell the truth, give short answers, make it clear she truly intends to stay for 4 weeks (maybe I could pre-buy some CN-tower tickets or something? so we have an "itinerary"?).

 

[bellaluna]

Thanks! I believe she has an eTA from the last time she came to Canada (they are valid for 5 years).

Oh, OK. I was under the impression she last stayed for 12 months with the working holiday visa.

Okay, so you wouldn't advise doing anything weird or tricky to avoid saying she's visiting me. Just be straight forward, tell the truth, give short answers, make it clear she truly intends to stay for 4 weeks (maybe I could pre-buy some CN-tower tickets or something? so we have an "itinerary"?).

Yes, that's exactly correct. These officers are trained to spot weird and tricky stories and behavior, so I'd advise not to try to one-up them.
IMO no need to buy the CN Tower tickets even. If she's really just there for a temporary visit, that's enough.