IEC flagpoling help

[CB1995]

I plan to flagpole this weekend at the Buffalo border to start my IEC work permit. I am currently visiting Canada from U.K. I will be flagpolling with my father in law (Canadian citizen) who will be driving us.

Can someone tell me step by step what I am supposed to do and say at the border?

My $2,500 are the English equivalent (£1,500) and in my English bank account. I was given that money as a gift from my parent in England 1 week ago. Will this be okay?

Thanks

 

[Bs65]

If you search the forum there are plenty of posts about flagpoling which basically involves crossing to the US customs/immgration point and telling the officer you are there to 'flagpole' not to enter the US. The officer may grumble a bit but they should issue you with a piece of paper indicating an administrative refusal for entry to the US. With this in hand you return to the Canadian side and present yourself as though entering Canada for the first time to activate your IEC permit.

You will need a printout of your bank account balance dated last 7 days showing the equivalent of 2500 CDN and MOST important is 2 years travel insurance without which you either may not get a permit issued or a severley reduced permit. Many people use True Traveller for insurance if you dont already have it but given is for 2 years wont be cheap.

Once the permit is issued you should quickly check it before you leave the CBSA desk as is complicated to fix after the event. Make sure is the full duration as some people have got 12 months even from the UK, and make sure is a totally open permit with nothing about work in any particular province on it. The permit will be stapled into your passport on the same page as the entry stamp also with hand written exit date hopefully 2 years out.

Other posters by the way have indicated that the Niagra/Buffalo area crossings can get busy at weekends so maybe be prepared for a wait.

 

[ozlis]

If you search the forum there are plenty of posts about flagpoling which basically involves crossing to the US customs/immgration point and telling the officer you are there to 'flagpole' not to enter the US. The officer may grumble a bit but they should issue you with a piece of paper indicating an administrative refusal for entry to the US. With this in hand you return to the Canadian side and present yourself as though entering Canada for the first time to activate your IEC permit.

You will need a printout of your bank account balance dated last 7 days showing the equivalent of 2500 CDN and MOST important is 2 years travel insurance without which you either may not get a permit issued or a severley reduced permit. Many people use True Traveller for insurance if you dont already have it but given is for 2 years wont be cheap.

Once the permit is issued you should quickly check it before you leave the CBSA desk as is complicated to fix after the event. Make sure is the full duration as some people have got 12 months even from the UK, and make sure is a totally open permit with nothing about work in any particular province on it. The permit will be stapled into your passport on the same page as the entry stamp also with hand written exit date hopefully 2 years out.

Other posters by the way have indicated that the Niagra/Buffalo area crossings can get busy at weekends so maybe be prepared for a wait.

I'll second the need for insurance, particularly at this crossing. Its notorious for actually checking all of the required documents.

Otherwise, very straight forward. Just tell them you are there to activate a permit and they will give you direction on where to go etc.