Getting nervous to cross the border--- TIPS?

[Ponga]

No I was not moving to Canada. I actually left a month after coming because I still have a residence in California. I had no furniture with me or none of my household belongings. I actually was adamant on saying "visiting" my husband for a few months.

So, why did you say the following:
finally I gave in saying "Yes, I intend to move here eventually, beginning now I guess"

 

[Ponga]

Theres no issue (for people from visa-exempt countries) in disclosing that you are getting married in canada and applying for sponsorship. Seriously. Many forum members have done that. I believe Rob TO has done that if i'm not mistaken.

Jessness was flagged and grilled because she crossed 13 times in a year, staying for 2 weeks each time, not because of what she said.

EXACTLY, but they should not state that they will be living in Canada. They are visitors until their PR has been approved.

 

[JessNess]

Because at that point they wanted admission of SOMETHING because this stupid agent was CONVINCED that I was up to something and she was not letting anything happen until I admitted what she thought I was trying to do. The joke is on her ultimately, I ended up flying home in exactly the timeframe I said I would (1-3 months). She called over like 3 other agents to look at her screen and all of them shrugged their shoulders because they couldn't find anything wrong with my data on the screen for secondary questioning. The head guy there made her deal with me because she had reason to think I would overstay. After the back and forth, he finally dealt with me himself and let me though. She just had something stupid to prove to herself, I have no idea.

 

[Ponga]

Because at that point they wanted admission of SOMETHING because this stupid agent was CONVINCED that I was up to something and she was not letting anything happen until I admitted what she thought I was trying to do. The joke is on her ultimately, I ended up flying home in exactly the timeframe I said I would (1-3 months). She called over like 3 other agents to look at her screen and all of them shrugged their shoulders because they couldn't find anything wrong with my data on the screen for secondary questioning. The head guy there made her deal with me because she had reason to think I would overstay. After the back and forth, he finally dealt with me himself and let me though. She just had something stupid to prove to herself, I have no idea.

I am not condemning your decision to admit anything, as it must have been a horrible position to be in. I'm just wondering how she would have been able to deny you entry if you had not admitted that you were planning to move...starting now.

I think that steerpike's theory may have some merit. Crossing the border that many times within a year as a visitor.

*shrug*

Glad it worked out for you!

 

[little_apple]

I wrote this under another post but it belongs to the same border crossing in Coutts.

This happened to me a few weeks ago when I landed:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/conditional-pr-please-help-t206757.15.html

A Filipino guy in front of me couldn't land as a PR although he had his COPR. He wasn't happy how the guy answered his questions.

If you lie you just make the situation worse. Just stay calm, tell them you want to get married, then apply for sponsorship and that you want to stay in Canada for an extended time as a tourist. Don't bring too much luggage with you and delete messages on Facebook, Email or your phone that say something about "moving" to Canada.

My officer could have asked me another 100 questions but I could have answered them all within seconds because I told the truth and didn't have to think about a lie.

 

[Ponga]

A Filipino guy in front of me couldn't land as a PR although he had his COPR. He wasn't happy how the guy answered his questions.

Now that makes no sense. There must be more to his story, since a CBSA officer can't toss out a valid CoPR just because he doesn't like the answers to his questions.

So...it would seem that the person could just try another crossing to land??

 

[MapleLeafBride]

Just a general tip with crossing the border.

Try to be relaxed and confident. If you cross and appear nervous or flustered, they WILL notice. Based on my experience, when I roll down my window all the way, turn on the interior lights (if it's night), remove my sunglasses, and smile, they are a lot nicer. Listen to what they are asking, digest it, and answer it as confidently as you can. If you get emotional or appear confused, it will likely be a red flag. And they may try and trip you up. Just continue to answer your questions calmly and consistently. Make eye contact (or at least it would be eye contact if they were looking at you)!

My husband crosses into Canada from the US often (2 or 3 times a month). He's so used to the questions they ask, it has almost turned his answers robotic. And now he thinks that is leading to more questions than before because he answers so quickly (from ~3 to 5 or 6. Nothing too intense). But the point is, they know how to read body language and tone.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I'll be crossing the Sweet Grass, MT border to visit/marry my girlfriend in Calgary, AB.
Once our marriage certificate goes through, we will be applying for Outland sponsorship; however, I plan on staying in Canada amidst the application process.

My primary concern is crossing the border and letting border patrol be aware that I only mean to follow the rules for this sponsorship and will not be staying longer than allowed.

Some questions I have when crossing are:

1. If they ask for proof of employment, will a recent pay stub suffice? I'm trying to find a means of printing out my own proof of employment, but am finding it difficult if I'm not an employer or verifier.
2. I plan to not offer the border patrol officer more information than they request. I certainly don't want to complicate things. However, when they ask why I am visiting should I state it's to visit my girlfriend who I plan to marry? Wouldn't it be correct, and appearing to follow the rules, to let them know of our intentions to apply for outland sponsorship, too?
3. Will bank statements, bills, etc. addressed to me suffice for proof of residence if the home where I lived did not have a formal lease since it is private home? If not, what would be better?

I simply have no means to work or live illegally in Canada (simply just want to be present with my soon-to-be wife) and want to express to them my intentions to follow the rules. What is the proper way to this? I feel like I'm fretting extensively over something that will take 10 mins of my time; however, I'd rather be more prepared than need to be.

Thanks.

1 - recent paystubs works perfectly fine. i typically bring 3-4 weeks of recent paystubs as well as my lease to help prove my ties to the us.

2 - i agree, don't elaborate on answers. when they ask who are you visiting - my fiance/girlfriend i plan to marry. they will most likely ask follow up questions about your intentions to apply for PR. This is when you give them the answer about what you've done so far and what your plan is for applying. If you plan to get married soon, i would suggest having the paperwork with you as well as receipts for fees paid. you can pay them well before you send in your application no problem. We paid for the sponsorship fee months prior to sending because i knew it would help prove our intentions. They will like to see you are planning to follow the rules. ONLY ANSWER WHAT IS ASKED!

3 - honestly, i don't think they will consider bank statements or phone bills as sufficient enough for prove of residence. if you have a utility bill, perhaps. is there a way to get a lease drawn up with your landlord or person who owns the house? If you have recent paystubs as suggested above, they will be happy with those. Be prepared to explain how you are able to leave work for an extended period of time.

If you are going there to have the wedding, and you have invitations and receipts for vendors, bring those with you to prove you are going there to get married.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[little_apple]

Now that makes no sense. There must be more to his story, since a CBSA officer can't toss out a valid CoPR just because he doesn't like the answers to his questions.

So...it would seem that the person could just try another crossing to land??

The officer kept his COPR and told him that he can't land right now and he would contact CIC for further investigation. The Filipino was in Canada on a work permit and wanted to land alone although he included his family in the Philippines as dependants. The officer wanted to know when his family would join him but the poor guy couldn't answer the question. I don't know if they misunderstood each other or what happened but in the end the officer thought that the Filipino had a partner and kids in Canada + his wife and kids in the Philippines.

That poor guy was there forever, later on 3 officers were questioning him at the same time. In the end he had to leave without a PR status and wait for a message from CIC

 

[Ponga]

Ah...That `splains it!

At least he wasn't denied entry, while his family is [wherever they are].

 

[rhcohen2014]

that is a horrible story! i hope that poor guy back in alright with his family. aweful that he was treated that way. i would hope there was a happy ending to that story. eeeesh!!!!

 

[screech339]

Theres no issue (for people from visa-exempt countries) in disclosing that you are getting married in canada and applying for sponsorship. Seriously. Many forum members have done that. I believe Rob TO has done that if i'm not mistaken.

My wife was from a non visa exempt country. We crossed the border into Canada from US at Niagara Falls. We told the border agents that we were moving back to Canada and I was going to start the PR sponsorship. They let us in no problem. They just brought my wife inside to update the system and issue my wife a 6 month visa stay. Even the visitor record stated "Permanent Resident Sponsorship in Process" even though I haven't even started downloading the application yet until I submitted it 2 months later. The border agent even advised me to apply for a 1 year visitor extension for my wife. So always tell the truth of your intentions to a limit. Only volunteer information they ask for. Nothing more.

 

[Ponga]

Perhaps his story wasn't making sense (partner and kids in Canada, while his wife and `other' kids are back home) and the BO suspects misrepresentation?? I suppose if that's the case, maybe they can seize the CoPR, since the FN hasn't landed yet.

Anyone???

 

[little_apple]

Perhaps his story wasn't making sense (partner and kids in Canada, while his wife and `other' kids are back home) and the BO suspects misrepresentation?? I suppose if that's the case, maybe they can seize the CoPR, since the FN hasn't landed yet.

Anyone???

I think there was a language barrier as well. They talked to him, then told him to sit back down in the waiting area, then called him back and so on. And we could hear almost everything. No privacy for this guy. I understood his name, a woman's name etc. I had a waiting time of 1.5 hours and he was already there when I came and still there when I left.

My officer treated me really badly, too (see my link above). My heart was racing although I didn't do anything wrong. I thought as soon as you receive COPR everything is fine but the the officer can still refuse you. All officers I met at the airports in Calgary and Vancouver were always so friendly but the Coutts officers were all unfriendly. Probably because they have to work in the middle of nowhere ;-)

The officer outside was already mad because we wanted to land at the border instead of the CIC office in Calgary. My COPR was only valid for 3 weeks, but landing at the office has a waiting time of 2-3 months. I didn't have a choice...

 

[em-persandcollins]

Thank you all for the advice; it's much appreciated.

I have thought about paying for part of my sponsorship fee prior to my arrival; however, I'm confused how to make partial payments via CIC website. Would anyone be willing to help me out with this?