letter from employer to show ties to US?

[Francis123]

Hi, I am going to have my employer write a letter stating that I work for him to show immigration officers at the airport when traveling back and forth from Canada to the US to visit my husband until my outland application is approved. A couple issues concern me. My boss is my uncle and has the last name, does this look bad even if it's on the company's letterhead? Also, what exactly should he say? Just state how long I've been employed for and that I will continue to be so until when? A specific date, till I am approved, or just indefinitely? Is there anything else he can say to show my ties? Thanks!

 

[HoneyBird]

Hi, I travel back and forth to visit my husband while we have an outland application.

I simply show them the return ticket and thats enough (sometimes they don't ask!...so only give them what they ask and don't volunteer additional information and babble).Also once you have several visits to Canada already, then it should not be a problem as they know that you are not planning to stay. My stays are usually less than a week too.

However if you feel that you should have a letter, then have one done, but don't volunteer to the officer unless specifically asked!

If you are visiting your husband for the first time in Canada then they will grill you (happened to me when I first visited him as his girlfriend). If you need to know the questions they will ask write back!

 

[minna]

I don't think the name thing will be a problem - people have similar names all the time, and aren't related, and people work for family members. Not a big deal. If it's on company letter head, that should be plenty. If you want to be super-official (but I don't think it's necessary) you could have him have the letter notarized.

In my opinion - the less unnecessary information in the letter, the better. I would have it say something like "This letter is to certify that YOUR NAME HERE is currently employed by COMPANY NAME HERE. We have granted him a leave to enable him to take a vacation to Canada. We expect his return at the conclusion of this vacation. If there are any questions or concerns I can be reached at PHONE NUMBER/EMAIL ADDRESS and I would be happy to help in any way possible"

something like that. But, I am big on not giving CIC/Border agents any more information than they ask for. You need proof of employment - you don't need to include dates or anything like that, unless you want to. Personally, I wouldn't just on the off chance that the dates given in the letter wind up restricting your ability to be in Canada - what if your plans change but your letter states you are only visiting for 2 weeks for you get a visitor record for 2 weeks - when otherwise you might have just been allowed into the country (with implied visitor's status for 6 months?). Sometimes when giving more information than asked for, you can hurt your chances or provoke additional questions. The letter should be dated, of course - standard letter - but nothing else, in my opinion.

 

[Francis123]

But it's best to be honest and provide the information that I am here to visit my husband when they ask what my intentions are, right? And should I also tell them my application has been sent for PR? Or only if they ask?

 

[minna]

in no way did I tell you to lie. Absolutely do not lie. Not giving un-asked for information is not lying. In my opinion, with most things, it is better to give the information that is asked for rather than information that they haven't asked for.

When you get to the border they will ask you your citizenship and the reason for your visit - you will tell them that you are visiting your husband, and depending on the border agent, on the time of day, on the agent's personal mood, on the weather, on the position of the stars in the sky....whatever - they may wave you through without asking further questions.

Of course, it is equally possible, if not more likely that they will ask you further questions - this is why you have the letter, and you should bring your PR application, the receipt from paying your fees, and any additional correspondence received from CIC (like sponsorship approval, AOR etc) as well as a copy of your marriage license. Don't lie about your plans, but you also don't need to say everything right out front. You should also have travel insurance to cover you if you are planning on being in Canada for longer than a couple of weeks - you might want it anyways, but if you want to stay for a month, for instance, having travel insurance to cover you for maybe even longer than that time is probably best. Other posters have reported that the border agents sometimes issue a visitor's record for the amount of time the person is covered by traveller's insurance.

If you are really just planning on visiting - like for a couple of weeks, and then are returning to the US to go back to work, then it wouldn't hurt to put your expected return date in your letter from work. If you're going to try and wait out the application process in Canada with your husband, then just have the simplest letter stating that you are employed and have been granted leave.

 

[HoneyBird]

I can't reemphasize the point not to tell more than necessary.

For you, as an american citizen, it should not be an issue as lets say you are travelling from Nigeria to visit your husband. People flock to the US and the States, not flee from it or need marriages of conveniences. So the border agent would not be interrogating you to a point like they did me the first time.

What i also wanted to say is that when you visit your hubby, visit on special dates,that is, i always visit for birthdays, valentine's day, Christmas etc.So when the border agent asks you why you are there, a reason like that is a really good reason plus if they question you later onwards, e.g. if you have to go through an interview or submit further documentation of relationship after the wedding, the fact you visited on those sorts of special times, adds more belief to your application.

lastly, when i went for the very first time, they asked me how we met, how long, what was my occupation, asked for my return ticket (which i lost btw) etc. Then i got sent to another area, and they started asking what was my hubby's name, birthday, address, where he was born, more details on how we met etc.

But after that very first time, there was no trouble. But you must be prepared, for instance i went up on valentine's day and the officer asked the usual, where you from, who you visiting, why you visiting and he asked what gift i bought for my hubby for valentine's. and i was stumped cause i actually didnt buy him a gift! lol.

 

[Kess]

If you are visiting your husband for the first time in Canada then they will grill you (happened to me when I first visited him as his girlfriend). If you need to know the questions they will ask write back!

That happened to my husband the first time he flew to visit me when I was living in Edmonton temporarily. They sent him to another room for additional questions. Ever since then he hasn't had any issues (also flying into Vancouver now) and the questions are more simple and routine (where you going, staying, how long, where from, where do you work, etc). He has something like 11 stamps in his passport from the last 2 years.

 

[BeShoo]

Make sure that you're not lying or being evasive. They hate people to be evasive.

But you should mainly just answer their questions. Being chatty or babbling or even give them information they haven't asked for makes them suspicious. People who are smuggling or hiding something tend to talk a lot to cover it up, so you don't want to appear like one of them.

Be honest though. They really do appreciate honesty.

 

[sbwv09]

I had a ton of paperwork 'proof' when I crossed over, but she didn't ask for it, so I didn't volunteer it. That's the main thing, only answer the questions they ask and only show them what they specifically ask for!

 

[Dayanara]

My hubby crosses the border 1-2 times a month to see me, and I do the same for him. I have a harder time crossing to the USA than he ever does to Canada.

The US guards always assume we Canadians want to move to the states I think, they grill me about the who/what/when/why of everything. I then shut them up by saying the following "I have multiple sclerosis and am uninsurable in the states because of a pre-existing condition, I have no intentions of leaving my free healthcare." Then I get flagged right on through.

When my hubby comes to visit me the only problem he ever has is with his car. He is borrowing his sister's car because he was in an accident and was a write off sadly. But the car is a 1999 lime green VW bug with Illinois plates (he lives in Buffalo). Best comment ever though was when he said he was gonig to visit his wife and the guard replied "she married you even though you drive this?" LMAO!

But if they ever ask anything about who is moving where, he is truthful and states we have an application in process for him to come to Canada and they typically let him through with no issues.

 

[SaugaBoss]

this is funny my husband was in the same situation but stopped by the american customs....

He still cant come to the US and i visit him in Canada... i actually stayed there 3 months straight n went back after 1 month no problem... americans usually harass u more. He has to prove his ties which he does and still have issues. I cant sponsor him to come because obviously im moving to Canada...

 

[tigerpika]

I drive across the border to visit my husband once or twice a month in Canada. I have never had a problem. We married in Fredericton, NB and I was a little worried about what I was going to say, if they were going to let me through, etc, when I drove up for the wedding. I got to the border, waited in the line, drove up to the window and handed the guy my passport. He asked where I was from and how long I was going to stay. Then he asked me about the purpose of my trip. I said I was coming to Canada to get married. He looked at me and asked me if I had any alcohol or tobacco in the car. He just did not care. It was hilarious.

Since then, both my husband and I have gone through many times, with no problems. The stateside folks always check my trunk, but I think that is because I never declare anything (I have nothing to declare) and they think I must be shopping in Canada.

So yes, be honest, have your paperwork, answer all questions.

 

[sbwv09]

My hubby crosses the border 1-2 times a month to see me, and I do the same for him. I have a harder time crossing to the USA than he ever does to Canada.

My hubby always has a harder time getting into the US than I do into Canada.. but he's sort of a 'no nonsense' person and he talks back wayyyy more than he should! But I understand it's hard to take their crap sometimes.

But the car is a 1999 lime green VW bug with Illinois plates (he lives in Buffalo). Best comment ever though was when he said he was gonig to visit his wife and the guard replied "she married you even though you drive this?" LMAO!

I have a green buggy too!!

 

[nyssa]

I fly. I've never been given a hard time. They just ask me for all the usual stuff. Usually it's just "Why are you here?" "To visit my husband" "When did you get married?" "October 24, 2009" "How long are you here for?" "2 weeks" "Is your husband here?" "Yes, to pick me up" "Have a safe trip".

I visit him in Canada every couple of months, I've taken 5-6 trips total. I come prepared with a letter from my boss that states how long I'm gone for and that I'm an active employee, 2 recent bank statements, 2 recent medical bills (proof of address/bills), 2 recent credit card bills, 2 recent work paystubs, my checkbook and cards, proof of payment to CIC and marriage certificate. It's a lot of stuff, but also a lot to throw at them if they need the proof!

1. NEVER lie. They will find out and you will be shaking nervous. You have nothing to hide if you are coming up there for a genuine visit.

2. Never give out more information than is necessary, just answer the questions they ask. Don't throw your papers at them

3. COME PREPARED. Bring things to prove you will return. Proof of address, having enough money to support yourself on your trip, proof of job, proof of bank account. Whatever it takes.

4. Have fun!!

 

[burntoinge]

I would like to visit my boyfriend for 6 months(he is there on a work visa), then apply for an extension for 2 months while I'm looking for a work visa in Canada. Of course, if I was honest about this to the officers, they would not let me in probably at all. But if I say that I would like to visit my boyfriend for 6 months, have my bank statement and have a letter from a temp agency stating that I will be working with them when I return, would that have a chance at all? Or should get accepted at a local college to start studies in the spring(wish my letter of acceptance and start date) and then just cancel that once I am in Canada? I want to be completely honest, but I feel I have no chance otherwise.