establishing common law + what to say at the border

[us0013]

I am looking to try to live with my girlfriend who lives in Canada. I am a 19 year old US citizen. We were thinking of me going up for a 6 month visit, and then applying to extend my visa for another 6 months so that we can apply for common law.

What would be acceptable tell the people at the border? We'd be driving through and I'd only have a suitcase of clothes, my laptop, and my cat. If we were upfront about our plans would they deny me? I still live with my family and am not currently working or in school, so I don't know how I would be able to prove ties to the United States. I'd be able to show them a return plane ticket for after 6 months in case the extension is denied. Obviously I'd go back to the US if it got denied; I'm not looking to get into any trouble . Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brucem]

I am looking to try to live with my girlfriend who lives in Canada. I am a 19 year old US citizen. We were thinking of me going up for a 6 month visit, and then applying to extend my visa for another 6 months so that we can apply for common law.

What would be acceptable tell the people at the border? We'd be driving through and I'd only have a suitcase of clothes, my laptop, and my cat. If we were upfront about our plans would they deny me? I still live with my family and am not currently working or in school, so I don't know how I would be able to prove ties to the United States. I'd be able to show them a return plane ticket for after 6 months in case the extension is denied. Obviously I'd go back to the US if it got denied; I'm not looking to get into any trouble Tongue. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately nobody can really give you a guarantee as it is completely dependent on the CBSA agent who deals with you. Its a shame you don't have any of the ties you mentioned as they can assist someone with transit through the border so you probably want to be prepared for the possibility of being pulled in secondary. Some people barely get a second glance others do get refused and sent back. One other possibility is they give you a visitor record and a specific date to leave Canada.

Generally the best advice I've seen from some of the senior members is not to disclose more information than necessary (i.e. don't pour your heart out to them) but at the same time don't lie to an agent if they ask you a specific question. Having a knowledge of your obligations as a visitor and potential PR applicant are also useful in my opinion as it demonstrates to the officer that you have researched and understand the requirements you need to comply with.

Other than that just good luck when you give it a shot!

 

[scylla]

Any chance you can leave your cat at home for now and plan to bring your cat to Canada later once you are a PR?

Having a cat does give the impression you are moving rather than just visiting. This may not create issues - but it would be ideal to really look like you're just visiting (i.e. not take the cat).

 

[saria1]

Any chance you can leave your cat at home for now and plan to bring your cat to Canada later once you are a PR?

Having a cat does give the impression you are moving rather than just visiting. This may not create issues - but it would be ideal to really look like you're just visiting (i.e. not take the cat).

We travel with one of our dogs all the time. He's crossed the border with us many times. Never has it been questioned, we just show the rabies shot record and declare him. They've not once assumed I was moving there with my family. So in my experience, it doesn't seem to be a red flag.

As for crossing the border to "visit" while waiting on PR.... Heck, I'm trying to figure that one out myself. Crossing with 3 dogs, a uhual full of all our stuff and telling the border my husband and son are there for dual intent and risking having them denied entry.... Can you say panic attacks, at the mere thought.. I wish Ottawa would get their butts in gear.

 

[scylla]

We travel with one of our dogs all the time. He's crossed the border with us many times. Never has it been questioned, we just show the rabies shot record and declare him. They've not once assumed I was moving there with my family. So in my experience, it doesn't seem to be a red flag.

As for crossing the border to "visit" while waiting on PR.... Heck, I'm trying to figure that one out myself. Crossing with 3 dogs, a uhual full of all our stuff and telling the border my husband and son are there for dual intent and risking having them denied entry.... Can you say panic attacks, at the mere thought.. I wish Ottawa would get their butts in gear.

My friend from the US was flagged specifically for having a dog, extensively questioned (2 hours) and almost not allowed in (was only allowed in because she was able to prove she was leaving on a flight in 2 weeks). Not saying it's not possible. Just saying that an animal CAN increase the amount of scrutiny someone receives at the border.

 

[spinning_sponsor]

When my girlfriend (now common-law partner) moved from the USA to Canada, we went through customs/security separately, and I brought her cat through with me to avoid raising much suspicion. This would be more difficult to achieve when traveling by car I assume, unless separate vehicles can be taken.

 

[saria1]

My friend from the US was flagged specifically for having a dog, extensively questioned (2 hours) and almost not allowed in (was only allowed in because she was able to prove she was leaving on a flight in 2 weeks). Not saying it's not possible. Just saying that an animal CAN increase the amount of scrutiny someone receives at the border.

I can see that happening. I guess maybe we've had no trouble because I'm a Canadian citizen presenting my Canadian passport with my son and husbands presenting their USA passports and only a few bags in the trunk (which weren't visible to CBSA).

 

[us0013]

Unfortunately nobody can really give you a guarantee as it is completely dependent on the CBSA agent who deals with you. Its a shame you don't have any of the ties you mentioned as they can assist someone with transit through the border so you probably want to be prepared for the possibility of being pulled in secondary. Some people barely get a second glance others do get refused and sent back. One other possibility is they give you a visitor record and a specific date to leave Canada.

Generally the best advice I've seen from some of the senior members is not to disclose more information than necessary (i.e. don't pour your heart out to them) but at the same time don't lie to an agent if they ask you a specific question. Having a knowledge of your obligations as a visitor and potential PR applicant are also useful in my opinion as it demonstrates to the officer that you have researched and understand the requirements you need to comply with.

Other than that just good luck when you give it a shot!

Yeah that is what I've heard. I was just thinking of saying that I'm coming to travel and visit with my girlfriend for 6 months, but I guess I was just looking for tips to feel more prepared I was hoping that the plane ticket back would be good to show them that I was planning on returning. If they turn you around, what happens after that? Do you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can try to cross the border again or what? And thank you

 

[us0013]

Any chance you can leave your cat at home for now and plan to bring your cat to Canada later once you are a PR?

Having a cat does give the impression you are moving rather than just visiting. This may not create issues - but it would be ideal to really look like you're just visiting (i.e. not take the cat).

Unfortunately, that is not possible as my stepdad is allergic to cats and my family travels frequently due to my younger siblings' sports. So even if I was just visiting, I'd still have to take her with me. Not sure it the border agent would believe that or not though

 

[scylla]

Yeah that is what I've heard. I was just thinking of saying that I'm coming to travel and visit with my girlfriend for 6 months, but I guess I was just looking for tips to feel more prepared I was hoping that the plane ticket back would be good to show them that I was planning on returning. If they turn you around, what happens after that? Do you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can try to cross the border again or what? And thank you

Technically you can try immediately if you are refused. However being refused does typically mean they put a note in your file giving the reasons for the refusal which will come up the next time you try to cross the border. So it can be wiser to wait a bit before trying again. If you are refused, it's also possible the official may tell you not to come again until you can demonstrate stronger ties to the US (e.g. proof of a job). But it's really difficult to say since border experiences are so individual. Rarely (very rarely) visiting Americans are sometimes issued with an exclusion order. If you get one of these you can't return to Canada for a full year. This is why you should never try to argue with an official. If it looks like you're going to be refused, just take the refusal - don't argue or try hard to convince them to let you in or this could push your refusal into an exclusion order (again, very unlikely, but possible).