Question about visiting while waiting for PR approval

[headingforcanada101]

First just a little info. I am a US Citizen married to a Canadian Citizen. I have applied for PR for me and my children and paid all fees. I have visited my husband multiple times by air and never had any issues. I plan to enter Canada by land at Sweetgrass. This is the first time my teenage daughters will have entered Canada. I have never driven into Canada before. It is a very long drive for me. It is a 43 hour drive. I want to drive so I can take my dogs with me. ( The dogs will have all vaccinations and proof of them and a letter of clean health from the Vet) I am hoping that my PR is approved while I am visiting, and to only leave once my PR is approved and I have to return for my official "landing". I will have only suitcases in my car and my kids and dogs. I do not want to give border patrol and reason to think I might overstay the limits of my passport which is 6 months. I would never overstay and jeopardize my PR application. If we have any hiccups I fully intend to exit Canada and return home to my mothers to prevent overstaying. My question is. Do I just say I am visiting my husband? Do I need to tell them I have a pending PR application? Anything I should say or not say. I had read stories of people being turned away at the border and I can't imagine driving so far and not being allowed entry to Canada.

Any experiences or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[zt2018]

The officers at the border will know that you have PR application in progress. Of course, tell them that you are visiting your spouse. They will also know that you visited Canada in the past and returned back. So your task is to prove that this time it is just a temporary visit again. The only difference now is that you have your daughters and dogs with you, so just be ready to confirm your other ties to US: for example, US property ownership documents/current tenancy agreement if you are renting; proof of current employment, school registration for your daughters, tickets to a concert in US for a date in future (if you have them, of course). Make sure that there is nothing in your car or your phone or computer which can make officers think that you are moving permanently, for example a card from your friends saying how glad they are for you that you are reuniting with your spouse and how much they will miss you .

 

[headingforcanada101]

The officers at the border will know that you have PR application in progress. Of course, tell them that you are visiting your spouse. They will also know that you visited Canada in the past and returned back. So your task is to prove that this time it is just a temporary visit again. The only difference now is that you have your daughters and dogs with you, so just be ready to confirm your other ties to US: for example, US property ownership documents/current tenancy agreement if you are renting; proof of current employment, school registration for your daughters, tickets to a concert in US for a date in future (if you have them, of course). Make sure that there is nothing in your car or your phone or computer which can make officers think that you are moving permanently, for example a card from your friends saying how glad they are for you that you are reuniting with your spouse and how much they will miss you .

I live in a home owned by my parents own so I don't technically have a lease or renters agreement. My last day of employment is 07/20/18. We made the decision for me to terminate my employment so I could be free to travel back and forth and spend my majority of time in Canada. My job does not allow for much time off and getting time off to visit is very difficult. His salary is more than enough to support us and my travels. I of course will still have my US Bank Account. Do I need to maybe have my parents draw up a renters agreement with my name on it? My kids are already enrolled in school in a school in Canada. (Not that I would share this information at the border). The only requirements for enrolling was proof we have applied for PR and my kids passports and transcripts. My children and I will be flying back to the states for Christmas. Would buying the tickets for us to return at Christmas help them to believe I don't plan to overstay my limits? Which I wouldn't dare overstay and risk my PR.

I can't sleep at night for laying in bed worrying that I will drive 43 hours and be refused entry

 

[Elanigana]

I live in a home owned by my parents own so I don't technically have a lease or renters agreement. My last day of employment is 07/20/18. We made the decision for me to terminate my employment so I could be free to travel back and forth and spend my majority of time in Canada. My job does not allow for much time off and getting time off to visit is very difficult. His salary is more than enough to support us and my travels. I of course will still have my US Bank Account. Do I need to maybe have my parents draw up a renters agreement with my name on it? My kids are already enrolled in school in a school in Canada. (Not that I would share this information at the border). The only requirements for enrolling was proof we have applied for PR and my kids passports and transcripts. My children and I will be flying back to the states for Christmas. Would buying the tickets for us to return at Christmas help them to believe I don't plan to overstay my limits? Which I wouldn't dare overstay and risk my PR.

I can't sleep at night for laying in bed worrying that I will drive 43 hours and be refused entry

I have never had any problems re-entering. That being said- I understand the worry!

We stopped traveling back and forth because the stress really got to me. I have been residing in Canada since September 2016.

As stated above- bring as much info as you can. I think you should also make sure you have the documentation for your kids crossing the border. Some officers make sure to look for this, others don’t. You don’t want to be caught without it because you will be denied entry with your children.

Also- I’ve always been very honest at the border. Some say don’t do this- but it’s always worked in my favour. I made sure to mention that if for some reason my applications weren’t processed in time that I would apply for an extension to stay in Canada.. ( which is what I’ve done twice now and currently am allowed to stay until March 2019.)

 

[headingforcanada101]

I have never had any problems re-entering. That being said- I understand the worry!

We stopped traveling back and forth because the stress really got to me. I have been residing in Canada since September 2016.

As stated above- bring as much info as you can. I think you should also make sure you have the documentation for your kids crossing the border. Some officers make sure to look for this, others don’t. You don’t want to be caught without it because you will be denied entry with your children.

Also- I’ve always been very honest at the border. Some say don’t do this- but it’s always worked in my favour. I made sure to mention that if for some reason my applications weren’t processed in time that I would apply for an extension to stay in Canada.. ( which is what I’ve done twice now and currently am allowed to stay until March 2019.)

Thanks so much for the help. This gives me a little ease of mind. I do have my kids passports and a copy of the (IMM 5604) Declaration from Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors immigrating to Canada form that I submitted with my immigration paperwork.

Will this suffice with their passports?

 

[bolderthingtodo]

I don’t have any border experience in the matter one way or another but I did research it a bit previously when my spouse and I were thinking about applying inland. I believe you will be entering with “dual intent” and I’ve linked the “policy, procedures and guidance used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada staff” below for you in case it is helpful.

If I’m wrong, anyone, feel free to correct me!

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/visitors/dual-intent-applicants.html

 

[Elanigana]

Thanks so much for the help. This gives me a little ease of mind. I do have my kids passports and a copy of the (IMM 5604) Declaration from Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors immigrating to Canada form that I submitted with my immigration paperwork.

Will this suffice with their passports?

I’m not familiar with the non-accompanying parent form...

Does that state you can take them to Canada without him?

I just know they asked us for letters from my kids father whenever I travel to and from Canada.

 

[Elanigana]

Thanks so much for the help. This gives me a little ease of mind. I do have my kids passports and a copy of the (IMM 5604) Declaration from Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors immigrating to Canada form that I submitted with my immigration paperwork.

Will this suffice with their passports?

Also! The one thing they’ve asked when crossing is if I had insurance to cover my long stay! Make sure you look into travel insurance as they made that a pre-req of being able to extend my stay.

 

[headingforcanada101]

I’m not familiar with the non-accompanying parent form...

Does that state you can take them to Canada without him?

I just know they asked us for letters from my kids father whenever I travel to and from Canada.

Yes it says that he understands he may be permanently separated from his child and he gives his permission for them to immigrate to Canada. It is notarized and includes a copy of his photo ID.

 

[headingforcanada101]

Also! The one thing they’ve asked when crossing is if I had insurance to cover my long stay! Make sure you look into travel insurance as they made that a pre-req of being able to extend my stay.

Thanks this is helpful. I hadn't thought about this. I will look into it.