Moving up as a Visitor while waiting for application to process.

[StateOfConfusion]

Hey all,

My husband and I are at the point where we are thinking of moving me up to him while we wait for the rest of our outland application to process. He was already approved as my sponsor and I've received my AOR from Buffalo, so we know the application is where it's supposed to be, and the waiting has begun. We aren't planning to move me up until the end of May, which would be around the four month mark of processing at Buffalo, so while it's possible *she says hopefully*, it's not likely we'll be approved.

Anyhoo...here are my questions...we plan to move me, two suitcases and two cats up for my visit (read: stay). I would like to know what I should bring, or say at immigration. I am American. I was planning on bringing my AOR, our sponsor approval letter, and the receipt as proof of application processing. Do you think this will be enough? Did anyone have problems at customs getting into Canada? Should I ask for a visitor record when I cross over? I am hoping they give me six months and that we are done long before that expires, but judging by the Buffalo thread there is always the chance that it will be longer.

Are there are recommendations? I am a little nervous about the changing my address from my US address to my husband's (my) address in Canada. I wish my patience would allow me to wait it out until completely done, but I don't think I can. I miss him and I want to be with him.

Any stories or advice of similar situations is absolutely welcome. And thank you so much in advance!

 

[canadianwoman]

You are not 'moving' to Canada, you are just 'visiting'. Bring proof of your application, including the receipt. People on the forum have done it with no problems.
If you are going to Alberta, definitely ask for a visitor record, because in that province you can then get provincial health coverage. (I don't know about the other provinces.)

Americans are almost always let in.

 

[StateOfConfusion]

Thank you canadianwoman. I didn't realize I could get health coverage even while visiting.

And if anyone has any other "visiting" stories or advice I am willing to listen .

 

[mc1234]

I was worried about this a few days ago myself. My SO and I entered customs through Canada (he has a multiple entry visa) We went up together.. the officer was rude, asked us what our relationship was, how long he was staying, how he would support himself. I told him the answers and said if anything happens I would take care of it. He was a little grumpy, but let us through. I was worried about this for days (didnt want it to affect our upcoming sponsorship application) but nothing did. Just answer the questions and have proof of ties to your country just in case!

 

[StateOfConfusion]

OK, one more thing...sorry if this question is really really silly, however, we would like to take my computer up when I got for my "visit" however, because of moving the cats and me bringing my clothes and whatnot, it's not really feasible to bring it with me on the plane. it's also huge (gaming PC). Has anyone shipped their computer to their spouse's house ahead of time? Any info on customs/duties? Is this not a good idea and I should just suck it up and live without my computer until I can actually land?

 

[aminca]

Try to bring your computer with you if you can. Don't ship it, it's a huge hassle. I tried to send my Nook ahead of time, it got lost, then found, then I got hit with duties, taxes, and customs. I could have just bought a new one once I was done with the whole situation. I can't imagine what they'd charge for a higher end laptop. I also came to "visit" my husband while the application is processing. I flew into Buffalo and drove over. The people at the Peace Bridge were really nice. We had all our paperwork, our lease showing where we live in Toronto, a letter from my husband's boss showing how long he has been working there and how much he makes, my bank statements (showing I could support myself as well), and the confirmation showing our application was sent (we hadn't received sponsorship approval at that time). I thought it was going to be a huge headache but it wasn't.

I brought my dog previously when I drove up for the wedding. Since you're flying I'm sure you have their vet info taken care of. I had to get a letter about my dog's rabies vaccination, but they didn't even want to look at it.

 

[macbook]

Hi guys,

sorry to budge in, but i'm also thinking of going to canada to wait for the visa, actually we already bought the plane tickets. My husband is canadian and i'm from a visa exempt country in europe, where we live at the moment. We believe our visa is pretty close now that is why we already planned to move. I'm very worried to say to the immigration officer that i am planning to say until i get my visa. I don't want him to think that i will overstay, something that obviously i cannot do.
I'm planning on taking the sponsorship letter with me and the receipt of the fees we paid.
However i do not know what i visitor record is, something that canadianwoman mentioned. We are moving to alberta but my husband will not be a resident until october because of his work. How can I be eligible for health coverage?

Lot's of question i know...thank you for reading, any thoughts on this will be greatly appriciated

 

[canadianwoman]

When you go through immigration control at the airport, you can ask for a visitor record. It shows when you entered Canada. Some people on the forum have stated that they were able to use a visitor record + proof of the PR application to apply for and get Alberta health coverage before they got their PR.

When talking to the border agent, you are just visiting, waiting while your PR is being processed, and are fully prepared to go back to your home country if the PR visa is denied. The sponsorship letter and fee receipt are good pieces of evidence - with them visa-exempt foreign spouses are ordinarily let in to wait. I'd have a return ticket and proof of ties to your homeland as well, just in case.

 

[tintin79]

Are only certain countries allowed to do this? Can my spouse in Jamaica also do this?

 

[canadianwoman]

No. If you need a visa to enter Canada, CIC probably won't issue a TRV while a PR application is in process. Showing up at the border with proof of your PR application only works if you are from a visa-exempt country.