American gf coming to visit

[Prangles]

Hi everyone, this forums looks like a great source of information, I wish I'd found it months ago.

I was hoping I could bounce a few ideas off some people who are experienced to make sure I am not missing anything. In a few weeks my hope is to have moved my girlfriend up from the US. I've done some searching and from what I gather, she can stay up to 6months provided she has the funds, place to stay, and a valid passport. Our plan was to load what possessions she intends to keep into a Uhaul and truck it up through the border. I've seen the customs list of prohibited items and what is allowed and there is nothing illegal there. Clothes, dvd's, electronics and books make up pretty much everything she intends to bring. Does anything with experience know if there will be a problem getting through the border provided I am with her and we have an inventory of what she is bringing?

I did have another question regarding health care. I am in Alberta and it doesn't appear she can get an Alberta Health Care card. Is the only solution then to get traveler's insurance?

Thank you for any help you can provide : )

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately what you have outlined is a bad idea and the majority of us here will strongly recommend that you reconsider your plans.

Yes - your girlfriend can visit. But the key word here is "visit" (not "move"). If you try to cross with a truck full of her stuff, the border guards will very likely (and correctly) come to the conclusion that she's not just coming for a visit but to stay. It's then entirely possible they will deny her entry into the country completely. (Your girlfriend is "allowed" to visit for six months. However this is not a right and sometimes border guards will shorten the length of a visit allowed or deny entry completely if they feel someone is coming to stay rather than visit. They are fully within their rights to do so.)

She should still plan to visit. However just bring one suitcase or so and leave the rest in the US. Alternatively, you could drive the truck through alone and she could cross completely separately. She should also ideally bring proof/documents that tie her to the US and support the fact that she's just visiting (e.g. home ownership papers, rental agreement, employment pay stubs, return flight, etc.)

I don't mean to scare you. Lots of Americans are able to enter Canada as visitors problem-free. My own husband has been crossing back and forth regularly for almost five years now (his PR application was just submitted this year and we are waiting for it to be finalized). He's never run into a problem (knock on wood). However he always packs light, has a return flight (or return date) that is well within the six month period and he also has a Nexus card (i.e. 9 times out of 10 he doesn't even have to talk to a person at the border). So it's absolutely doable.

As for health care... She will not be covered by Alberta Health Care because she is not a permanent resident. Travel insurance is the way to go.

 

[Prangles]

hey Scylla, thanks for your help.

One thing I had been considering was getting a freight company to move her stuff. It's all boxed and could be packed onto a pallet and shipped. We could ship it that way and then just have her pack a suitcase of clothes. Is that valid option?

 

[scylla]

I don't have any experience with shipping over the border (don't know what will end up happening regarding any possible import taxes, etc.). However from the standpoint of getting your girlfriend into Canada as a visitor, any option that avoids coming with a u-haul or car full of stuff is probably a good idea. She also needs to be careful what language she uses if asked any questions. She need to answer as someone who is visiting - not moving. Good luck.