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Driving to Canada from Texas with my girlfriend

Stephen_W

Newbie
Jul 15, 2016
7
0
Hello,

My girlfriend is a Canadian citizen living in Alberta, and I am an American citizen living in Texas. I want to visit her for an extended period of time (I know the max is 6 months before an extension). The current plan is that she will fly down to Texas, and then we will take my car from Texas up to Alberta. The reasons for this are that I would like to have my car while I'm up there, I want to bring my desktop computer (We play PC games together), and we both want to do a road trip together.

While my intent is not to try to move to Canada (as of right now at least), we do want to see what it would be like to live together. That is one of the purposes of the visit. She is a teacher in Canada, and I have a job in the US that allows me to work online full time, so I believe being in Canada would be easier. She is also closer to her family and I have already moved away mine. I will only be bringing a duffel bag with clothes and my computer.

I am concerned this may cause issues at the border. Will the guards, seeing my Texas license plate, question why we would drive so far just for a visit, even if it would be a 6 month visit? Will the presence of desktop computer make it seem that I'm trying to move there? I'm looking for any tips or advice you might have. Thank you!

Edit: I'll add that I have visited her in Canada twice, both five day visits via airplane, and I left exactly when I said both times. She has similarly visited me twice in Texas, both week long stays. Not sure if that's relevant but I thought I would throw it in.
 

scylla

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Taking anything with you that makes it look like you're moving is risky. That includes too many personal belonging and things someone wouldn't normally bring with them as a tourist (like a desktop computer).

I would make sure you bring evidence with you of ties to the US in case you are asked (e.g. proof of property ownership or rental, proof of employment, etc.).

When you're working remotely in Canada - make sure none of the work you are doing is for Canadian customers / clients.