Crossing the border as a Permanent Resident

[Desdemona]

I was just wondering how the border crossings are when you have a PR card. Do you still get questioned as aggressively? I'm a US citizen with a Canadian PR, and last time I crossed into the US (Windsor/Detroit), the customs person gave me a hard time -- why are you in Canada? etc etc. The Canadian customs people seemed to be more relaxed and friendly. I'd appreciate hearing others' experiences with this, both negative and positive. Thanks.

 

[Leon]

They may ask you how long were you outside Canada, did you have a nice vacation etc. but otherwise it's just welcome home because you are a PR now.

 

[links18]

There is no telling what will happen at the border, particularly when entering the U.S. Sometimes it is very aggressive and invasive questioning, i.e. "Have you ever been arrested?" "When was the last time you went to court?" Seriously, I was actually asked this by a U.S. CBP officer. "What are you doing in Canada?," "What in the world possessed you to move to Canada?" are other favorites. Other times, I basically just get waived through. If you are a U.S. citizen, you have no legal obligation to answer their questions. But if you go that route, prepare to be sent to secondary inspection.

 

[abedelia]

I am a US citizen with Canadian PR and I cross the border frequently. I haven't been given a hard time by either side since I got my PR card.

When I cross into Canada, I hand the agent my US passport and Canadian PR card together. I've never been questioned beyond the usual about how long I was gone, what am I bringing back, etc.

I never volunteer my PR status to the US border agents. I just hand them my passport. They usually ask where I live and when I say where I live in Canada that usually prompts them to ask what my status is in Canada. I will tell them I'm a PR and then I will usually switch to a more casual, making conversation-type tone and say something like, yep, I married a Canadian... I try to be friendly and respectful to them. But I'm also aware that I'm a citizen of the US and they can't turn me away so I don't take those questions that seriously--the details of my immigration aren't their concern. If they ask something like "what in the world possessed you to move to Canada" I generally assume they are making conversation and I will just play along.

 

[vanwilder]

Thanks folks for sharing your experience. I also have a canada PR card and is planning on moving to canada. It looks like the officers would just be just asking basic questions and all I have to do is show my passport and canada PR card along with items i brought. Any other informations is always appreciated. Thanks