Landing while living in Canada

[TracyCa64]

Hello,
Sorry, but I have lots of questions.

When I land I will flagpole at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing. I have already been living in Canada for the past 2 years. Do I have to declare anything that I originally brought with me to Canada? When I land I won't have any personal belongings with me, is that okay? Will that be questioned at all?

I will have boxes shipped at a later time so I know that I need to complete the B4 form. If my items are all just house items (personal belongings) do I still need to place a value on each box or item? I have a list of what is in each box and I have the boxes numbered and labeled so when they are shipped customs will know.

When I land do I need to show our bank account for proof of funds, I won't have any cash on me.
I am on Implied Status right now because my visitor extension was not approved yet. Do I need to show my receipt that I had applied for the extension or does it not matter since I have PR approval.

I hope someone can help me with my questions. I plan on landing next weekend.

Thanks in advance!!
Tracy

 

[jc94]

I was advised not to flagpole by my lawyer. It has occasionally caused issues when entering the US in the future.
I'm sure some will disagree - I've read reports that it's a) fine and b) problematic on this forum and others, so just adding my two cents.

I will personally be entering the US on an UK passport with valid ESTA at the same crossing later in June

Shipped items are I assume unaccompanied items. If you are already resident in Canada don't you owe tax on anything new you are bringing in - only the first entrance is tax exempt on personal items?
I would include a value on each, even if it's rough. I find customs generally like lists showing items and price, I've had lists before and both been passed through without comment and given a look of "prepare to get both suitcases searched" that was stopped with "would you like this list of the itemised items up to the $750 dollars I'm declaring".

Yes, bank statement. If it's a Canadian bank I find it helpful to get them stamped, they normally do it free (for me anyway) but this shouldn't be needed.

I don't think you need the visitor extension, all visa requirements should be waived with a COPR except a Canadian visa if on a visa required passport (pretty much anything outside EU/US/Oceanic) which would be issued on the passport at PPR stage before COPR.

Do let me us know how it goes!

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

When I land I will flagpole at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing. I have already been living in Canada for the past 2 years. Do I have to declare anything that I originally brought with me to Canada?

Not, that's should be declare when you arrived, if needed, so forget it.
If you have some expensive items and you want to declare it, take it for the landing.

When I land I won't have any personal belongings with me, is that okay? Will that be questioned at all?

Yes, absolutely. No questions, obviously you are already settled, so makes sense.

I will have boxes shipped at a later time so I know that I need to complete the B4 form. If my items are all just house items (personal belongings) do I still need to place a value on each box or item? I have a list of what is in each box and I have the boxes numbered and labeled so when they are shipped customs will know.

Supposedly you have to fill B4 for accompanying goods and B4A for goods to follow (both forms even if you have only goods to follow)

I received 5 boxes when being TFW, and just I was asked about what kind of stuff was, so far where personal belongings no taxes were required.
I didn't filled out any form, Custom Officer did it for me.

So if you can fill B4/B4A in advance is OK, if not should be fine as far are goods owned by you at least 6 months before get PR. I'm assuming only valuables can be complicated and should be previously declared using B4/B4A (jewelry, cameras, laptops...)

When I land do I need to show our bank account for proof of funds, I won't have any cash on me.

It depends on your PR class and Inmigration Officer, for CEC and people currently working here supposedly is not needed, anyways better bring some bank statements, but most likely you don't need it.

I am on Implied Status right now because my visitor extension was not approved yet. Do I need to show my receipt that I had applied for the extension or does it not matter since I have PR approval.

Even PR overrule Visitor status you should carry any document you can think will help you, and the receipt of the application could be necessary.

Landing is an easy process but you always have to be prepare if something can get wrong (like you forgot COPR, it's silly but happens), or something else.

Being under implied status doesn't allow you to enter Canada if something is wrong with your PR, so have a visitor application can help to re-enter easier as visitor.



About flagpolling and US administrative refusal, some people say isn't a issue, some people say it's.

Just in case, if you have valid US visa or US ESTA, could be worthy to cross the US border and later come back, otherwise don't worry too much.

 

[TracyCa64]

About flagpolling and US administrative refusal, some people say isn't a issue, some people say it's.

Just in case, if you have valid US visa or US ESTA, could be worthy to cross the US border and later come back, otherwise don't worry too much.

Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. It makes me feel better. I will complete the forms and bring them with me.

I am being sponsored in the Family Class. I will bring our bank statement in case.

I am a US Citizen and have a valid passport, so it shouldn't be a problem crossing into the US.
Is it still considered flagpoling if I stay in the US for a couple of hours and then come back to Canada? I was just wondering if I have to tell the US border agent that I am getting PR.

What is the US Administrative refusal? Sounds scary. Lol

 

[jc94]

I am a US Citizen and have a valid passport, so it shouldn't be a problem crossing into the US.
Is it still considered flagpoling if I stay in the US for a couple of hours and then come back to Canada? I was just wondering if I have to tell the US border agent that I am getting PR.

What is the US Administrative refusal? Sounds scary. Lol

Flagpoling means getting to the US border and turning around without entering the US. That's the key, you do not actually enter the US ... but do leave Canada. It's basically called an administrative refusal, often done because person(s) don't have visa etc... to enter US.
The main reason people (and it does vary) say it can cause an issue is that it's not clear if it's a refusal to declare on subsequent visits. Mainly because some DHS guys say to declare it and some don't from what I've read.

It's also, if you read the letter with COPR carefully potentially not correct as they do say you gotta leave the country, enter another country and then re-enter Canada. That said, flagpoling is a pretty sure-fire way to land in Canada, it's more about potential future issues.

So no, entering the US won't be flagpoling and won't cause any issues for the future. That's for sure the way to ensure it definitely won't be an issue and I don't see you have an issue getting into the US on a US passport

 

[TracyCa64]

Flagpoling means getting to the US border and turning around without entering the US. That's the key, you do not actually enter the US ... but do leave Canada. It's basically called an administrative refusal, often done because person(s) don't have visa etc... to enter US.
The main reason people (and it does vary) say it can cause an issue is that it's not clear if it's a refusal to declare on subsequent visits. Mainly because some DHS guys say to declare it and some don't from what I've read.

It's also, if you read the letter with COPR carefully potentially not correct as they do say you gotta leave the country, enter another country and then re-enter Canada. That said, flagpoling is a pretty sure-fire way to land in Canada, it's more about potential future issues.

So no, entering the US won't be flagpoling and won't cause any issues for the future. That's for sure the way to ensure it definitely won't be an issue and I don't see you have an issue getting into the US on a US passport

Oh Wow!! I had no idea that when you flagpole you are not actually entering the US. So, I actually wanted to enter the US and check ouy the American Falls and maybe have lunch, then come back to Canada and "land" to make my PR official.
Can I just tell the US border agent that I want to see the American Falls and when I come back I will be landing for PR?
My boyfriend is Canadian and he has a valid passport. That should be okay, right?

Thank you so much jc94 for your help.
Smiles!!

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

Oh Wow!! I had no idea that when you flagpole you are not actually entering the US. So, I actually wanted to enter the US and check ouy the American Falls and maybe have lunch, then come back to Canada and "land" to make my PR official.
Can I just tell the US border agent that I want to see the American Falls and when I come back I will be landing for PR?
My boyfriend is Canadian and he has a valid passport. That should be okay, right?

Thank you so much jc94 for your help.
Smiles!!

You're a US citizen willing to have a lunch in the US, shouldn't be any issue for you, nor for your boyfriend, as far he has a valid passport or enhanced driver license

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/619/~/visiting-the-u.s.---documents-required-for-canadian-citizens-%2F-residents-%2F

By Land and Sea (including ferries) - Canadian citizens traveling to the U.S. by land or sea are required to present one of the travel documents listed below, and may generally visit the U.S. for up to six months. CBP will accept: Canadian passport, Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card, NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES and SENTRI enrollment cards

Don't worry too much about landing, usually it's a smooth process.

 

[jc94]

Yes I'm planning on seeing the falls with two friends on my cross-over (both Canadian citizens, but neither born here ) myself.

I hear it's not as impressive as the Canadian side, but won't mention this to the delightful DHS peoples. They tend not to have a sense of humour (or humor, being American and all).

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

Yes I'm planning on seeing the falls with two friends on my cross-over (both Canadian citizens, but neither born here ) myself.

I hear it's not as impressive as the Canadian side, but won't mention this to the delightful DHS peoples. They tend not to have a sense of humour (or humor, being American and all).

Ye'll enjoy it, sure!

 

[CDNPR2014]

Oh Wow!! I had no idea that when you flagpole you are not actually entering the US. So, I actually wanted to enter the US and check ouy the American Falls and maybe have lunch, then come back to Canada and "land" to make my PR official.
Can I just tell the US border agent that I want to see the American Falls and when I come back I will be landing for PR?
My boyfriend is Canadian and he has a valid passport. That should be okay, right?

Thank you so much jc94 for your help.
Smiles!!

you can just tell them you're there to spend the day or afternoon in the us before landing in canada as a pr. there shouldn't be any issue. you are a us citizen, and your husband is visa exempt. many people cross the border for short visits all the time.

 

[TracyCa64]

Yes I'm planning on seeing the falls with two friends on my cross-over (both Canadian citizens, but neither born here ) myself.

I hear it's not as impressive as the Canadian side, but won't mention this to the delightful DHS peoples. They tend not to have a sense of humour (or humor, being American and all).

Yes, the Canadian Falls are the best!!