American's travelling with illegal status..

[sogwap]

When Flying they (US and Canadian IO) scan your passport. When driving not usually.

Why are you so concerned about returning home to the States? Unless you wanted there should be no problem.
The trick is getting back into Canada. As long as you are visiting you should be no problem. That means don't bring lots of stuff, have enough money to travel for length of stay, and reassure IO that you are going back to the States at the end of your visit.

Since you are so concerned. Let's say (for argument sake) they (US or Canadian IO) give you trouble. The longer you over-stay here the more likely Canada IO will give you trouble coming back. Again you are just a visitor.

 

[acer925]

When Flying they (US and Canadian IO) scan your passport. When driving not usually.

Why are you so concerned about returning home to the States? Unless you wanted there should be no problem.
The trick is getting back into Canada. As long as you are visiting you should be no problem. That means don't bring lots of stuff, have enough money to travel for length of stay, and reassure IO that you are going back to the States at the end of your visit.

Since you are so concerned. Let's say (for argument sake) they (US or Canadian IO) give you trouble. The longer you over-stay here the more likely Canada IO will give you trouble coming back. Again you are just a visitor.

You do know im in Canada right now illegally right? Thats the only reason im concerned, i've been in Canada without going back to the states for 8 months straight..I want to visit the states but then come back to Canada, but im afraid they will say no since I've overstayed and send me back to the states.

 

[PommeDeRoute]

Hello,

I really am not sure there is any way around the problem. When I have crossed the border in the past, they have asked me how long I have been out of the country. If they ask this, you have no choice but to be truthful. There have been other times, though, when they simply ask the purpose of my "trip" to Canada. When I tell them I live here, they ask me what my status is in Canada and I tell them that I am a PR.

If they ask you the purpose of your trip just tell them the truth, that you were visiting your GF. When they ask you where you live, give them your US address. They may not even ask how long you have been out of the country. As for scanning, it seems that the US agents do this every time. My passport landed in the washing machine a couple of years ago, so they always try to scan it, but it never works. They have to punch in the numbers manually. It is the same ritual every time.

Best of luck.

 

[acer925]

Hello,

I really am not sure there is any way around the problem. When I have crossed the border in the past, they have asked me how long I have been out of the country. If they ask this, you have no choice but to be truthful. There have been other times, though, when they simply ask the purpose of my "trip" to Canada. When I tell them I live here, they ask me what my status is in Canada and I tell them that I am a PR.

If they ask you the purpose of your trip just tell them the truth, that you were visiting your GF. When they ask you where you live, give them your US address. They may not even ask how long you have been out of the country. As for scanning, it seems that the US agents do this every time. My passport landed in the washing machine a couple of years ago, so they always try to scan it, but it never works. They have to punch in the numbers manually. It is the same ritual every time.

Best of luck.

That scares the hell out of me b/c I know they will scan my passport on the US customs side going there, then when I go to come back in Canada they will scan it again and see that I was there for 9 months..so my question now is what will they do? Will they not let me back into Canada b/c I overstayed , I would tell them im just visiting and wouldnt have luggage or anything but they might reject e back to the states. :-(

 

[sogwap]

You have yet to state your intended plans about Canada.

If you want/intend to live here permanently, you are going to have to do it legally. And the longer you are here illegally the greater the risk they you will be inadmissible as both a visitor or PR.

Your best bet is go back to the States where you have legal status, and return after several weeks or a month as a visitor. Assuming you want to stay permanently, get your affairs in order and apply for PR. Otherwise plan regular trips back to the States.

If you go back to the States on your own initiative, It will be much better than being asked to leave. Honestly I think you are fretting for no reason. Or are you are hiding something we don't know about.

One more thing on your passport, did Canadian IO write a date below the last passport stamp. If you came here in Aug 2009, they would have hand written Jan 2009 under the passport stamp. If there is no stamp from your last entry into Canada they really have no proof how long you have been here.

 

[acer925]

You have yet to state your intended plans about Canada.

If you want/intend to live here permanently, you are going to have to do it legally. And the longer you are here illegally the greater the risk they you will be inadmissible as both a visitor or PR.

Your best bet is go back to the States where you have legal status, and return after several weeks or a month as a visitor. Assuming you want to stay permanently, get your affairs in order and apply for PR. Otherwise plan regular trips back to the States.

If you go back to the States on your own initiative, It will be much better than being asked to leave. Honestly I think you are fretting for no reason. Or are you are hiding something we don't know about.

One more thing on your passport, did Canadian IO write a date below the last passport stamp. If you came here in Aug 2009, they would have hand written Jan 2009 under the passport stamp. If there is no stamp from your last entry into Canada they really have no proof how long you have been here.

I dont intend to live here in Canada, just temporary. Once I get back from the states, maybe a month or two in Canada then would be going back to the states. I am not married.It wouldnt be a problem for anyone else, but my problem is my current status in Canada is I believe illegal due to overstaying my visitor rights without going back over (been here 9 months straight). If thats true what you say about the passport thing, would be good b/c they did not stamp or write anything under it..just scanned it I believe. But wouldnt the dates of entry and exit show up on their computer when they scan it again? Thanks for your answers I really appreciate it.

 

[sogwap]

I dont intend to live here in Canada, just temporary. Once I get back from the states, maybe a month or two in Canada then would be going back to the states. I am not married.It wouldnt be a problem for anyone else, but my problem is my current status in Canada is I believe illegal due to overstaying my visitor rights without going back over (been here 9 months straight). If thats true what you say about the passport thing, would be good b/c they did not stamp or write anything under it..just scanned it I believe. But wouldnt the dates of entry and exit show up on their computer when they scan it again? Thanks for your answers I really appreciate it.

You are not working here illegally are you?
You really have no other option other than "Voluntarily" go back to the States where you "live" and have legal status. What you don't want is for Canadian IO to ask you to leave. I'd be willing to bet that when you come back, with the intent to "visit" for several months, and prove that you only intend to stay for several months you will have little problem.
However if your fear materializes as being "illegal" and you want to come for a longer period of time you very likely could end up SOL.

 

[acer925]

Hello,

I really am not sure there is any way around the problem. When I have crossed the border in the past, they have asked me how long I have been out of the country. If they ask this, you have no choice but to be truthful. There have been other times, though, when they simply ask the purpose of my "trip" to Canada. When I tell them I live here, they ask me what my status is in Canada and I tell them that I am a PR.

If they ask you the purpose of your trip just tell them the truth, that you were visiting your GF. When they ask you where you live, give them your US address. They may not even ask how long you have been out of the country. As for scanning, it seems that the US agents do this every time. My passport landed in the washing machine a couple of years ago, so they always try to scan it, but it never works. They have to punch in the numbers manually. It is the same ritual every time.

Best of luck.

Thanks. That scares me knowing that when I go back to the states, the US agent will ask me how long I was out of the country..then what am i supposed to say, 9 months? Thats illegal! I think if I said that, they might say I have to stay in the US for 9 months now, do you think I should lie and say I was only out of the country for 5 months? But they might already know and just seeing if I tell the truth or not.

 

[sogwap]

How long are you going to fight with yourself on this matter?

I think you are confusing one thing the US is not Canada.

I will say it once again. You have two choices stay and fret/worry about being here illegally and risk not being able to come back. Or go back to the States where I seriously doubt you will have any trouble going back. Then come back to Canada as a visitor. Only next time plan your strategy better.

IF the they give you trouble about overstay. Tell them that you didn't know about only being able to be here for six months. I don't know if that will fly, but its worth a try. And quite frankly if you over stayed by being her nine months, why would they make you wait nine months to come back?

 

[acer925]

How long are you going to fight with yourself on this matter?

I think you are confusing one thing the US is not Canada.

I will say it once again. You have two choices stay and fret/worry about being here illegally and risk not being able to come back. Or go back to the States where I seriously doubt you will have any trouble going back. Then come back to Canada as a visitor. Only next time plan your strategy better.

IF the they give you trouble about overstay. Tell them that you didn't know about only being able to be here for six months. I don't know if that will fly, but its worth a try. And quite frankly if you over stayed by being her nine months, why would they make you wait nine months to come back?

I know I have to go back, just that I would prepare differently if I knew I wasnt coming back to Canada for sure. I will just say I didnt know about the time period if they say anything..a simple question really went too far, my original thought was basic in that If I go back to the states and they dont scan my passport, im good..if they do, I could be SOL. and I saw you traveled back and forth a few times so thats all I wanted to know (about the passport checking) thats all, lol. I think you said that they (US agent) didnt even ask for your passport, which is good, but i've also heard the US side scans everyone so the answer to me is that there is no clear answer..I dont know how thats possible maybe they do random checking, but I will prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

 

[Morena]

It doesn't matter if US scan your passport or not...US is your country of legal residence...there is nothing to worry about going back to the States. The matter is re-enter to Canada....there is not guarantee they (Canadian IO) will let you in if they realize you overstayed.