BUNAC USA Working Holiday VISA Border Crossing Questions

[randomusername]

Hello,

My girlfriend is applying for a working holiday Visa through BUNAC USA. The people there have suggested that she not cross the border with me (I am her boyfriend and a Canadian citizen, she is a US citizen.) They fear that she will be rejected if she crosses the border with me. We are wondering why this is, and if it is a legitimate concern?

Also, they require that she have $1200.00 in 'support funds'. First they stated that we simply needed proof of these funds. I thought of just bringing $1200.00 cash with us as proof as we crossed the border to Canada. However, they then said that the $1200.00 has to be in a bank account in her name, and that it cannot be withdrawn during her stay in Canada. That it is for 'Emergencies only' or something to that effect. We have a signed letter from the bank itself stating that as of Feb 14th 2011 there is at least $1200.00 in her account. The letter also includes contact information for the bank. Would this be adequate proof?

Thank you very much.

 

[oorrrsomething]

I entered Canada through BUNAC last spring. I never needed to provide proof of funds but maybe it has changed or the border I went to didn't care. I think a written statement from the bank would be just fine, though.

I originally entered at a smaller port that didn't have an immigration office, so I actually came in as a visitor and later (a couple weeks, actually!) we just drove down to the larger port and walked into the immigration office to pick up my work permit. No need to leave and come back or ask for an administrative refusal at the US border.

I also did this with my Canadian boyfriend at my side and didn't have any trouble with the agents. If you've visited each other enough, they probably already know about your relationship anyway! Creepy, I know... (But maybe that was just us since I usually flew to Vermont when I visited him, so we were frequently crossing the border together).

Good luck! BUNAC is great. They offer plenty of support if you need it or none at all if you don't.