American Husband, Inland Application, May 2019

[VanNOLA]

Hello,
My American husband and I got married in the US last week. He is arriving in Vancouver in a few weeks. We will submit the inland and OWP applications once he arrives.
He is planning to fly in with 2 suitcases and a one way ticket.
What should he say to customs at the airport?
Anyone with recent experience?
Thank you!

 

[Youthberry]

Hello,
My American husband and I got married in the US last week. He is arriving in Vancouver in a few weeks. We will submit the inland and OWP applications once he arrives.
He is planning to fly in with 2 suitcases and a one way ticket.
What should he say to customs at the airport?
Anyone with recent experience?
Thank you!

I would say just tell the truth: he is joining you, or whatever words he wants to use. Perhaps, it’s better for him to bring the married certificate with him.

You would want to wait for seniors’ thoughts on this forum.

 

[schweisy]

Do a search on this site for "dual intent" and you will find lots of information on this process.

 

[Samantha F]

I showed up before my wedding and I was just honest. I came with 3 suitcases and a one-way ticket. I explained that I was here for my wedding, and that afterwards, I intended to live with my husband while applying inland. I asked them for a stamp on my passport, they explained that I didn't really need one as I was from the U.S (or something, I can't recall) but stamped it anyway. They asked some basic things like his name, our address, the wedding date, how often we've visited each other, etc. It was pretty straight-forward.

From there, we spent my 6-month long TRV preparing our application to sponsor, work permit, and applying to extend my visitor's visa. (Which got approved recently.)

 

[Mar1219]

Hi, it’s possible that since he’s a US citizen he won’t have any issues at the airport, they rarely do. However, when my husband arrived from Mexico (which is also visa exempt), they asked to see his return ticket, and I don’t know what would have happened if he didn’t have one.

We booked his flight far in advance so we could not get a refund, but just as a back up plan perhaps you should look into buying a return ticket for him the day before he flies, one that you can cancel within 24 hours: this way, he has something to show the officer and you can get your money back. Just a suggestion...I have a friend who just did the same thing today

 

[Aiesline]

It's possible without a visa, the airline won't let you board a oneway flight. I had to go out of the country recently, when I went to board my flight home, they required my work permit before they would give me a boarding pass. If I hadn't had it they would have made me buy a return ticket. Obviously every airline is different and your mileage may vary.

 

[VanNOLA]

Do a search on this site for "dual intent" and you will find lots of information on this process.

Thank you! I didnt know which term to search.

 

[VanNOLA]

I showed up before my wedding and I was just honest. I came with 3 suitcases and a one-way ticket. I explained that I was here for my wedding, and that afterwards, I intended to live with my husband while applying inland. I asked them for a stamp on my passport, they explained that I didn't really need one as I was from the U.S (or something, I can't recall) but stamped it anyway. They asked some basic things like his name, our address, the wedding date, how often we've visited each other, etc. It was pretty straight-forward.

From there, we spent my 6-month long TRV preparing our application to sponsor, work permit, and applying to extend my visitor's visa. (Which got approved recently.)

Sweet! Hoping for a similar experience (*fingers crossed*)

 

[VanNOLA]

Hi, it’s possible that since he’s a US citizen he won’t have any issues at the airport, they rarely do. However, when my husband arrived from Mexico (which is also visa exempt), they asked to see his return ticket, and I don’t know what would have happened if he didn’t have one.

We booked his flight far in advance so we could not get a refund, but just as a back up plan perhaps you should look into buying a return ticket for him the day before he flies, one that you can cancel within 24 hours: this way, he has something to show the officer and you can get your money back. Just a suggestion...I have a friend who just did the same thing today

Great idea

 

[VanNOLA]

It's possible without a visa, the airline won't let you board a oneway flight. I had to go out of the country recently, when I went to board my flight home, they required my work permit before they would give me a boarding pass. If I hadn't had it they would have made me buy a return ticket. Obviously every airline is different and your mileage may vary.

I thought Americans didnt need a visa to visit??
Thanks for the info about the work permit! We'll want to road trip down to the States, but will wait until we at least have the WP.

 

[Samantha F]

I thought Americans didnt need a visa to visit??
Thanks for the info about the work permit! We'll want to road trip down to the States, but will wait until we at least have the WP.

We technically don't. But I asked for a stamp so that I could have documentation. As you go through the application process they will ask for photocopies of his passport along with any stamps. He'll need to remain in-status during the application process, and it was just easier for me personally to have that stamp handy.

Good idea to wait on the trip! I'm sure you guys are going to have everything run smoothly!

 

[Aiesline]

I thought Americans didnt need a visa to visit??
Thanks for the info about the work permit! We'll want to road trip down to the States, but will wait until we at least have the WP.

You don't have to have a visa to visit. A flight without a return trip is a different story. Keep in mind if Canada refuses you entry the airline is on the hook for sending you home. If you don't have a return trip they are on the hook for the cost.

 

[VanNOLA]

We technically don't. But I asked for a stamp so that I could have documentation. As you go through the application process they will ask for photocopies of his passport along with any stamps. He'll need to remain in-status during the application process, and it was just easier for me personally to have that stamp handy.

Good idea to wait on the trip! I'm sure you guys are going to have everything run smoothly!

Will asking for a stamp raise any flags??

Thank you for the well wishes too

 

[VanNOLA]

You don't have to have a visa to visit. A flight without a return trip is a different story. Keep in mind if Canada refuses you entry the airline is on the hook for sending you home. If you don't have a return trip they are on the hook for the cost.

We are now thinking we will book a refundable return flight and then cancel it once he lands.. fingers crossed!

 

[Samantha F]

Will asking for a stamp raise any flags??

Thank you for the well wishes too

I wouldn't think so. The officer just thought I was silly and explained to me that I didn't need it. I just acted confused and said I "called" and that that's what they told me to ask for and he gave me a stamp anyway. I liked having it to send it in with my paperwork, but I wouldn't push too much for one if the officer he happens to get really doesn't want to give one out.