American citizen married to Canadian coming for a visit

[Smonro04]

Hello all!

I'm an American citizen married to a Canadian citizen. The last time I was in Canada was in 2012. Since then my husband has a work visa here in the US since May of 2013.

We plan on taking a vacation so I can see where he grew up, meet his extended family, etc.

He is taking a leave of absence from work, as am I. We plan on driving up the coast, camping along the way, and only bringing clothes for the trip, which we plan on from August 10 to October 8, being in Canada that is. I called up to the border and the lady told me the only thing I need to bring is my passport and to tell the border I am visiting with my husband to see his extended family, etc.

The reason I am posting is because I am reading many different stories on being married to a Canadian and coming to visit with him.

So I suppose my question is should I bring additional paperwork just in case the border is asking additional questions? I have mail, pay slips, health insurance bills, credit cards bills, etc. I mean, my husband works here in the States and has the visa stapled in his passport, so I'm not sure if they will call us "inside" to ask additional questions.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Everything I've read is American spouses coming over with their canadian citizen spouse and wanting to do PR. We are coming to visit for two months with his family...so I'm unsure. Lol. I hope this all makes sense.

Thank you!

 

[rhcohen2014]

if you are truly going on vacation, there really isn't anything to worry about. The "papers" you plan to bring with you won't be of any help to the CBSA officers. IF they ask you to prove your residency (Which would be rare if you and your husband are both living in the US and clearly going to be traveling on vacation), then the only proof they care about are for employment and housing in the us. So, if you want to bring papers for back up, my suggestion is to bring paystubs and a lease/or proof of owning a home. Your marriage certificate may be handy too, but again I highly doubt they will even ask for anything.

Again, the chance you are going to have issues is going to be slim. As long as you are not traveling with all of your worldly possessions and are honest about what your plans are while there, then they aren't going to deny you entry.

 

[Smonro04]

if you are truly going on vacation, there really isn't anything to worry about. The "papers" you plan to bring with you won't be of any help to the CBSA officers. IF they ask you to prove your residency (Which would be rare if you and your husband are both living in the US and clearly going to be traveling on vacation), then the only proof they care about are for employment and housing in the us. So, if you want to bring papers for back up, my suggestion is to bring paystubs and a lease/or proof of owning a home. Your marriage certificate may be handy too, but again I highly doubt they will even ask for anything.

Again, the chance you are going to have issues is going to be slim. As long as you are not traveling with all of your worldly possessions and are honest about what your plans are while there, then they aren't going to deny you entry.

Thanks for the response. The only reason I ask is, like I said, I've read so many other forums on here about harassment at the border when married to a Canadian citizen. We haven't traveled together so this will be the first time, so I suppose I am a bit nervous.

If it helps to the discussion, we both have Arizona Driver's licences and the car, that is in my husband's name, is registered in Arizona and has Arizona plates.

Oh, we'll also have our dog, but I'm pretty sure the only thing we need with him is proof of rabies and a Health Certificate.

Thanks for the response; if you have more to add, please feel free.

 

[Smonro04]

if you are truly going on vacation, there really isn't anything to worry about. The "papers" you plan to bring with you won't be of any help to the CBSA officers. IF they ask you to prove your residency (Which would be rare if you and your husband are both living in the US and clearly going to be traveling on vacation), then the only proof they care about are for employment and housing in the us. So, if you want to bring papers for back up, my suggestion is to bring paystubs and a lease/or proof of owning a home. Your marriage certificate may be handy too, but again I highly doubt they will even ask for anything.

Again, the chance you are going to have issues is going to be slim. As long as you are not traveling with all of your worldly possessions and are honest about what your plans are while there, then they aren't going to deny you entry.

Oh! And in addition, no we aren't bringing everything we own; Just our camping gear and clothes for the duration of camping plus the trip. So, hopefully, as you stated, they won't deny us entry. I was just worried because of the us being married part.

 

[rhcohen2014]

canadians are allowed to married us citizens. us citizens are allowed to travel and vacation in canada. being married to a canadian isn't going to deny you access to the country. you'll be fine.

 

[CMLR]

Before I came to Canada to "visit" in order to become a permanent resident my husband came to see me in the US and I came back with him. We had no issues. I am sure it will be fine. But if you are worried like Rhchoen2014 says take your marriage cert and something proving where you live and work that should be more than enough. Have fun on your trip.

 

[Smonro04]

canadians are allowed to married us citizens. us citizens are allowed to travel and vacation in canada. being married to a canadian isn't going to deny you access to the country. you'll be fine.

Thank you for the advice.

I am looking forward to visiting this part of Canada. I'm excited!

 

[blueangel371115]

I am married to a Canadian and I visit often. They do ask our relationship and my status but I consider them routine questions. I have SA and that seems to be enough so far. When we go to the States my husband doesn't get too much hassle. Probably because we cross so often most of the officers there are familiar with us. IMHO, I think you're fine.