My experience flying into Canada with an app in process

[aerogurl87]

I just got back to Canada with my boyfriend and was scared to death I'd be turned around at the airport. I've been living with him for almost the past two years legally. But with a past work permit and after only spending two weeks in the US, I started to freak out when we got to customs. The officer there referred us to the immigration office and we talked to the officer there for a bit. I told her I only wanted to stay until February so I could spend the holidays with my boyfriend and his family. She checked some stuff on the computer and told me I should apply for an open work permit. I'm sure I can't since I applied outland, but I didn't argue with her over it. Then to my surprise she gave me a year long visitor record that was good for multiple entries. So flying isn't always bad if you are in process. You might get lucky like me and get a nice customs agent.

 

[lunas]

niiiiiice!

 

[marie_ann]

Which airport was that??

 

[aerogurl87]

Which airport was that??

Edmonton international airport. My boyfriend and I try to only use that airport because 9 times out of 10, it isn't too busy and the customs agents are friendly. I can't say the same for places like Toronto.

 

[amikety]

Thanks for sharing. I get so nervous at the idea of going to the US and trying to get back in Canada!

 

[sounion]

Holy crud that's awesome!!!!!

Congrats!

 

[bscinto92]

thanks for sharing! ive always wondered what i am going to say to the immigration officers when i go to visit my husband again. by the time i go visit him (november 24th) our application should already be filed. i will be flying into toronto, i noticed the officers there aren't very informational they kind of just expect you to know every thing on your own and luckily for this site i've gotten a lot of answers to my questions! when i get to toronto again and go through customs in november, should i tell them my application is in process? will they need proof of that, or can they jsut check to see on their computers with my client ID number?

 

[runningfree]

Awesome. I was just wondering..is their somewhere in your passport that says you have a year long visitor pass? Reason I ask is because my wife and I just did the same thing except we made the move from Korea and the officer told us she's good for 6 months. However, I don't see anything in her passport that says this...should their be?

 

[Sweden]

your wife has probably been given a "normal tourist visa" as I have in my passport - which means that your wife's passport got stamped, and unless something got specified, it's good for 6 months. It's the same for me.

a visitor record ( from one I understand) is a separate paper, and that can be up to one year. it's mostly given to people who have applications in process, but it's also probably only if you "ask for it" specifically, and/or if the officer decides to give you one. In your case, and mine too, the officer just stamped the passport - which means good for 6 months unless otherwise indicated - and that's it...

Hope it clarifies a bit.
Good luck with your application,
Sweden

 

[amikety]

A Visitor's Record is what you get when you apply to extend your stay in Canada and you're from a visa exempt country.

 

[aerogurl87]

Bscinto92, I'd just tell them the truth without volunteering too much info. I told them I was coming to see my boyfriend and his family for the holidays and had no intentions to work or go to school. They did a check on my history with CIC and found out I had an application in progress since my boyfriend got his sponsor approval already. I figure as long as your honest with them and respectful, getting through shouldn't be too much of a problem. With that said, having proof that you have paid the fees and done the medicals helps too I guess. The officer seemed happier when she saw half the fees were paid and the medicals done. I guess it showed we were serious about applying.

And a visitor record is a separate sheet of paper they put in your passport. I had lost the last one I had, so getting a new one for a year was great.

 

[Sweden]

thanks for sharing! ive always wondered what i am going to say to the immigration officers when i go to visit my husband again. by the time i go visit him (november 24th) our application should already be filed. i will be flying into toronto, i noticed the officers there aren't very informational they kind of just expect you to know every thing on your own and luckily for this site i've gotten a lot of answers to my questions! when i get to toronto again and go through customs in november, should i tell them my application is in process? will they need proof of that, or can they jsut check to see on their computers with my client ID number?

I just went through Vancouver airport with an application in process, and it was no problem. I had prepared a copy of the sponsor approval ( in your case probably have a copy of the receipt and the proof that you have filed your application for example), and I also had a copy of bank account records ( as I had a one way ticket only). When asked for how long I was going to stay, I said I would like to stay at least 6 months as I had applied for PR. the border officer didn't ask for more information, and I didn't have to show any proofs... depending if your application is already in the system or not, they might or might not be able to see it, so carry a proof with you to show it if needed.

She didn't ask more questions or to see any proofs, and I got 6 months, so I doubt you will have troubles at the border.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[moochops]

I will absolutely second the shout out for the immigration guys at Edmonton. They are efficient yet friendly and I like you, was given a 1 year visa. The officer wanted to give me 2 years until her superior said no 1 year will be enough to complete the spousal sponsorship (oh the irony).

 

[bscinto92]

I just went through Vancouver airport with an application in process, and it was no problem. I had prepared a copy of the sponsor approval ( in your case probably have a copy of the receipt and the proof that you have filed your application for example), and I also had a copy of bank account records ( as I had a one way ticket only). When asked for how long I was going to stay, I said I would like to stay at least 6 months as I had applied for PR. the border officer didn't ask for more information, and I didn't have to show any proofs... depending if your application is already in the system or not, they might or might not be able to see it, so carry a proof with you to show it if needed.

She didn't ask more questions or to see any proofs, and I got 6 months, so I doubt you will have troubles at the border.
Good luck,
Sweden

Not sure if we're sending it via Canada Post or UPS yet, but either way I will recieve a tracking number or something of the sort to show that the application got there. I can print out the page from the website to show it arrived there, would that be good enough? Or will i get something in the mail/e-mail from CIC once my application arrives?

 

[bscinto92]

i gues my best bet is to just answer the questions they ask me truthfully, which is no problem since there is nothing i wouldn't want to tell them lol.