Does America check how much money you have?

[toxicair]

Hi!

I just heard about something that happened to my friend's boyfriend. He lives in Los Angeles and he was on his way to his girlfriend in Canada. He was stopped somewhere before he could cross the border and they sent him back because he apparently did not have enough money to support himself.

Okay, I'm planning on going to Canada in April on a visitors visa. I stop in Minneapolis before entering Canada. I never stopped in America before and after hearing what happened I am completely shocked and scared right now. I can only imagine America obviously being super strict and upfront with their security, but really? sending someone back?

My question is, what will they ask me and how will they, well, "interrogate" me before I am able to enter Canada. Last time I stopped in Germany before entering Canada and all they asked me was what my purpose was for entering Canada.

Please get back to me asap..
Thanks

 

[Baloo]

If you are a transit passenger, there is little reason for the Americans to worry that you can afford to stay in the US.
They can ask you whatever questions they want when you land in the USA.

Only citizens have an absolute right to enter their own country, refusing a visitor is reasonable if the visitor cannot afford to support themselves.

 

[toxicair]

If you are a transit passenger, there is little reason for the Americans to worry that you can afford to stay in the US.
They can ask you whatever questions they want when you land in the USA.

Only citizens have an absolute right to enter their own country, refusing a visitor is reasonable if the visitor cannot afford to support themselves.

Oh okay so it does happen?

is there a possibility that they will stop me in the USA at the Canadian port of entry? Like I have no reason to worry other than the whole money thing.. I have 1 maestro bank card, 1 visa bank card and 1 visa credit card.. like will they actually check how much i have on it? That's all I'm worried about.

 

[Baloo]

Oh okay so it does happen?

is there a possibility that they will stop me in the USA at the Canadian port of entry? Like I have no reason to worry other than the whole money thing.. I have 1 maestro bank card, 1 visa bank card and 1 visa credit card.. like will they actually check how much i have on it? That's all I'm worried about.

It is unlikely, but they can ask you to prove that you can support yourself. If they are not satisfied, you will not be granted entry.

Check the CIC site for the rules that apply to visitors.

There are no guarantees with immigration.

 

[AllisonVSC]

I think it depends on how long you plan to stay and what sort of activities you will be doing while visiting. If you plan for 6 months in hotels while you travel from east to west by trains, planes or automobiles, then you should be able to produce evidence that you can afford to do so. If you will be visiting for only a week and staying with family or friends, how much money you have is probably less important.

Maybe you could provide a few more details about your visit and your funds (I don't mean exact amounts of course, but some reference to your available financial resources). Also clarify with your friend...did the American's refuse him entry to the US or was he refused by Canada and just happened to be passing through Canadian Immigration on (or from) the American side?

 

[toxicair]

HI

He was on his way to Canada from the California. Apparently it was the USA people at the border or port of entry.

ALSO something that was mentioned that I find kind of disgusting:

He is Mexican and a few friends of mine said whoever was helping him might have been racist or something. I don't know since I'm not from there. They also thought he might be on drugs which was insane because you can't just assume things like that. They asked him how much money he has on hand like his cash amount on based on only that was denied entrance. They even phoned his girlfriend and spoke to her about it. They left the guy standing in the cold outside for 6 hours.

I was thinking of printing out a bank statement showing my current account value and also showing them somehow that I have credit on my credit card.

 

[Baloo]

They asked him how much money he has on hand like his cash amount on based on only that was denied entrance.

That is enough of a reason to refuse entry (but something is odd, if this was the USA border agents).

I was thinking of printing out a bank statement showing my current account value and also showing them somehow that I have credit on my credit card.

Good idea, it is better to have the proof if you are asked for it.

 

[AllisonVSC]

I agree, carrying a copy of your bank statement is a good idea.

I still find something odd with your friend's story though...maybe he was crossing from Mexico to the US when he was denied entrance?? because when crossing into Canada one wouldn't normally encounter US Immigration officers.

Anyway, it is unlikely you will run into a similar problem. Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[toxicair]

Okay Thanks guys.. I know there is something odd about the story still but thats about all I know.

On a more serious note, please read my other post and get back to me if you can give me any advice please. Here's the link:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/multiple-entry-visa-problem-advice-seeked-t65391.0.html

Thanks..
Yaz

 

[Baloo]

Replied.

 

[toxicair]

Hey there. I just read something on the cic website again which I kind of confused about.

"The Government of Canada will never ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account or to transfer money through a specific company. However, in some cases, an immigration officer at the Canadian port of entry can require you to post a bond in form of a cash deposit to ensure that you comply with certain terms and conditions during your visit to Canada (i.e. leaving Canada when your approved period of stay is over).

If a bond in the form of a cash deposit is required, the officer fixes the deposit amount based on your financial resources and other conditions set out in Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations."

Found here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/arriving.asp

Can anyone please explain this to me. I do however think that this is highly unlikely. Just very worried as I am sure the Canadian Port of entry in the United States would probably be more uptight or something. I don't know. Just really scared.

Thanks

 

[YorkFactory]

Just very worried as I am sure the Canadian Port of entry in the United States would probably be more uptight or something.

There's no Canadian port of entry in the United States. You will clear Canadian customs in Canada. The U.S. will only require that you have enough funds for your visit, which won't be very long or require very much money if you're just changing planes in the U.S.

 

[alexj]

There's no Canadian port of entry in the United States. You will clear Canadian customs in Canada. The U.S. will only require that you have enough funds for your visit, which won't be very long or require very much money if you're just changing planes in the U.S.

Will they just need a bank statement or cash?

 

[toxicair]

Okay thank you for that. SO they only would want to see a bank statement and not want me to have cash on hand?

 

[macthepak]

Re: student visa rejected,will apply again,,,good idea?

You should not get yourself vexed about this issue. They give you a reason why they refuse entry. If he is mexican, intoxicated, and has very little money than i would refuse him entry as well. They made him stand outside in the cold so he could sober up probabily.