sunnynoon said:
This month, I quit my job (in Michigan) and was hoping to go up and visit him (in Saskatchewan) for just over a month and then see where things went from there - stupid I know that now...because I got to the border and they saw all my things and started asking about my job etc. then searched my laptop and found immigration forms and denied me entry.
CBSA concluded you had no intention of leaving Canada, which makes sense given the circumstances. The flag for denied entry isn't a bar to entry, but it does mean you will probably be referred to secondary inspection next time.
A pity you weren't on here earlier, I'd have given you my usual advice: get a Nexus card. Now that you're flagged it is unlikely Canada will approve you. I usually recommend that someone then schedule their Nexus interview at an office in Canada - that gives you a plausible reason to enter Canada AND shows you've already passed a background check. But that's water under the bridge now (though I'd suggest you apply for one when you get things straightened out.) Nexus makes life easier - at the border as well as even just getting on airplanes in both the US and Canada. There are dedicated Nexus lanes in Canadian airports for domestic and international flights and the US grants entry to TSA pre-check lanes to Nexus card holders. Canadians with Nexus can use Global Entry when they fly into the US internationally as well.
sunnynoon said:
So now here I am stuck in North Dakota, staying with a friend, with no job, no way to enter Canada (without proof of ties to the US). The IO officer suggested LMO work permit- and I have been attempting to find something - but am nervous about what to do if I can't.
Finding employment in Canada can be tough if you need an LMO. Since you are American, I'll ask my usual question here: do you have a degree and/or professional experience that would qualify you for a job under NAFTA? If so, then you don't need an LMO and it makes getting a job in Canada
much easier. I must admit, though, that you might find it difficult to find a job when you cannot enter Canada. What does your boyfriend do? There's actually nothing that prevents him from hiring you if he's in a position to do so (and/or if you have skills compatible with that). For example, if you are used to doing free lance work, he can set up a company in Canada and hire you that way - LMOs are really about properly completing the paperwork.
sunnynoon said:
My boyfriend and I have talked about getting married...but he is feeling frustrated that I can't be in Canada with him right now.
Marriage makes some things about the process easier, but don't jump into a marriage just because of that either.
sunnynoon said:
What is the best way we can move forward with this without shooting ourselves in the foot. We have had too many road bumps with this and I am trying to minimize those as best I can.
If he were to come here and we were to get married...can I get across the border with my passport flagged due to being previously denied entry... as long as I show proof that we have submitted the sponsorship application - or are they going to hassle us about me going up there again. And can I really file for an inland application when we don't really even know if they are going to let me through.
Once you're married it will get a bit easier - especially if you don't show up at the border with a car load full of stuff.
sunnynoon said:
Should I get a job in ND, wait a bit, get married, then go up to visit and then submit the ap from up there... and then stay? I am just so confused...and the IO officers scared the s#$% out of me when I was denied.
You can certainly do it that way. Once you are married and can show you have the application paperwork ready to go you are far less likely to have trouble at the border. BUT keep in mind that an inland application
requires that you be inland. You can file an outland application from inside or outside Canada.
sunnynoon said:
I know I would not be able to work with inland application until I had a work permit approval - and we are ok with that...we just want to know the best way for me to get there to do an inland application...without being denied again.
Ironically, you need to be able to convince the CBSA officer that you're intention is not to remain in Canada. Once you are married you'll be in better shape, of course.
Is there a reason you are so focused on an inland application? It takes six months to get that work permit and many outland applications are completed in 6-8 months anyway.
Can anyone else tell me if there ecas has an in process date?
