insufficient ties (what a surprise)

[asfocv]

I am an American attempting to secure a student visa for the fall semester. I have spent the far majority of my time in Canada since April of last year, however I have never had my status (I left and returned three times between april 09 and jan 10, the last two being completely up front as to how long i had been in canada and that i was intending to stay until around march -- between jan and march I decided to apply to college here). I was "allowed to withdraw my application" (polite decline) for a student visa at the border yesterday, but admitted as a visitor until July. The reason given was insufficient ties to the US, and it being too early to arrive applying for my study visa (term starts in september -- but registration starts in July?!?!) . I was also given a stern talking to about my behavior this past year, accused of living illegally in canada and not respecting the immigration laws.

I don't understand what ties I can obtain or obtain documentation for. I am a small, functionally silent partner of a small business , and I own a house with a tenant for several years. I recognize thes are insignificant and I don't really consider them ties as I've had no problem having the former without ever seeing our corporate offices in the year it's been in business, or having seen the house I own for a couple years either; in other words, I don't blame CIC for wanting more. I simply don't know what to give. I was told to get bills or a residence -- but I don't understand. I have a house -- it's occupied, but barring not having anywhere else in the world to stay, I can evict the tenants on 30 days notice and live there. I don't have a job - but I am part owner of a business and if I need or want a job, owning the company is a pretty fucking good reference to have. Getting a job is ridiculous -- I'm planning to move to canada to study in three months. Any job I did get would be meaningless? Also, the paper they provided me suggested I get a proof of residence or utility bills. Am I to rent an empty apartment and wire it with electricity and telephone? This also seems ludicrous -- by it's very definition, I am applying to live in Canada for two fucking years -- what kind of idiot would I be if I shelled out an electricity bill in this time -- and what does this prove, other than I can set a few dollars on fire to satisfy some idiotic notion that paying for a light bulb is magic proof I'll go there?

There has to be something I'm missing. Do family count as ties? I have not seen my parents in kansas or extended family (with all of whom I am very close) in california in months, because I've been worried about being able to return here. The first thing I would do upon clearing up my status is see them, and I have no intention of going as long without visiting again. Don't get my demeanor in the previous paragraph wrong -- I'm a principled man, and if following the rules to CIC means I get a cell phone and rent a storage locker and an internet connection I'll never use, I'll do it. But I can't imagine that I should have to stoop to that level, as I have absolutely no intention of ever going off the grid or violating status and especially no interest whatsoever in being an illegal immigrant. So, if anyone has any ideas of things I should get paperwork for, it would be appreciated.

 

[sogwap]

You don't seem to get it.
You want to come to Canada, violate the rules, then expect you they should make exceptions for you.

Here's the problem:

I was also given a stern talking to about my behavior this past year, accused of living illegally in canada and not respecting the immigration laws.

Be glad they let you in. Others in the same situation have been denied access.

Several areas Canada border IO say they give priority to, reuniting families and Business ties especially with the US businesses.
I'm wondering though if you would have a better chance coming a business man. Seriously check out the NAFTA agreement it might be pertain to you. Is there any way your business can show ties to Canada. If so you could possibly get a work permit at the border allowing entry. However be careful as you have already been marked as violating visitor status.

 

[asfocv]

You don't seem to get it.
You want to come to Canada, violate the rules, then expect you they should make exceptions for you.

I do seem to get it. I love Canada, I have always been treated fairly by border immigration even when I was younger, I (unknowingly) bent the rules. I don't discount this experience as being treated unfairly, just that the requests made from me are illogical and I'm not sure how to honestly comply. I was always up front with the border of my plans at the time, and I couldn't count on my hands the number of times I have done my absolute best to find appropriate counsel to verify that fact -- several trips to lawyers or immigration consultants, and after finding out about it, dozens of phone calls to the CIC help line. I'm well aware none of these are official words but opinions of other parties (with perhaps interest in pleasing me) -- but seriously, I've done my best. As far as I know a visitor is someone who doesn't work, doesn't study, and is able and willing to leave, and I've always been that.

Here's the problem:Be glad they let you in. Others in the same situation have been denied access.

I'm more than aware I could have easily been denied entry -- this is why I was not vocal about asking "if what I am doing is so wrong, and I have been living illegally, why are you sending me back to Canada to do it for another month?" This is what I don't understand. I was criticized for living here -- but I was repeatedly given visas for six months and all told was clearly indicated that my being here for 12 months was OK. How does one be somewhere for six months, let alone twelve, and not live there?

Several areas Canada border IO say they give priority to, reuniting families and Business ties especially with the US businesses.
I'm wondering though if you would have a better chance coming a business man. Seriously check out the NAFTA agreement it might be pertain to you. Is there any way your business can show ties to Canada. If so you could possibly get a work permit at the border allowing entry. However be careful as you have already been marked as violating visitor status.

My business has less than ten employees and is barely over a year old. Furthermore, I have no consistent work experience for my entire adult life and no degree (hence going to college). Furthermore, I have a common law partner who is not american I would like to be with in Canada.

Will letters from family (parents, grandparents, aunts) that are in the US be useful? My father also runs a small business which I've worked at in the past -- if he offered me an open job, does this count as well?

What exactly are ties supposed to accomplish? Proof that I have the means and desire to leave Canada when my studies are done, because as I said, I have absolutely no interest in spending my life in Canada as an undocumented immigrant, I just dont know how to communicate it.