Need Advice on Flag-Poling Please!

[lucybear05]

So our prospective nanny got a letter today from Buffalo, advising that her application was approved, and telling her to present her letter at the border in order to get a permit. So I take it this means she must do a flagpole, given that she currently lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

I am so excited she got approved - just this one final step and she will be able to come and work for us! Hurrah! ;D

I am hoping some of you wise and experienced folks can help me out here with some questions:

1. What would be the best border crossing option for her, if she lives and works in Edmonton Alberta (she doesn't drive)?

2. Is it possible to "flagpole" at an airport - we have a large international airport, can she just go there to border services?

3. What should she bring with her to the border in terms of paperwork, etc.? Should I provide her with a letter of explanation or anything else to assist her at the border?

4. If she "flagpoles" successfully, does this mean her current work permit with her current employer is automatically cancelled (ie. if she flagpoles must she leave her current job at that time and immediately start with us, or could she "flagpole", come home to Edmonton, provide notice to her employer, work a couple more weeks for him and then come to us?)

5. Is there any reason I should go with her to the border, or is this definitely something she can do herself (I would rather not travel to the border with her, as we don't live near the border and I have a busy full-time job and a crazy toddler at home, but I suppose if it would really make a difference and she might not be able to do it herself, I might go with her).

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[scylla]

I'll help with one question. She cannot flagpole at an airport. Only at a land border crossing.

 

[rjessome]

So our prospective nanny got a letter today from Buffalo, advising that her application was approved, and telling her to present her letter at the border in order to get a permit. So I take it this means she must do a flagpole, given that she currently lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

I am so excited she got approved - just this one final step and she will be able to come and work for us! Hurrah! ;D

I am hoping some of you wise and experienced folks can help me out here with some questions:

1. What would be the best border crossing option for her, if she lives and works in Edmonton Alberta (she doesn't drive)?

2. Is it possible to "flagpole" at an airport - we have a large international airport, can she just go there to border services?

3. What should she bring with her to the border in terms of paperwork, etc.? Should I provide her with a letter of explanation or anything else to assist her at the border?

4. If she "flagpoles" successfully, does this mean her current work permit with her current employer is automatically cancelled (ie. if she flagpoles must she leave her current job at that time and immediately start with us, or could she "flagpole", come home to Edmonton, provide notice to her employer, work a couple more weeks for him and then come to us?)

5. Is there any reason I should go with her to the border, or is this definitely something she can do herself (I would rather not travel to the border with her, as we don't live near the border and I have a busy full-time job and a crazy toddler at home, but I suppose if it would really make a difference and she might not be able to do it herself, I might go with her).

Thanks everyone!!!

1. There is no "best" border. But I would use a crossing that is busy as there are likely to be better trained CBSA officers there and better hours for immigration matters. CBSA mainly deals with customs issues.
2. As scylla said, no.
3. Passport, letter from CIC Buffalo, new employment contract
4. Technically yes, her new permit cancels her old one. But it's ok to work a notice period (short). This is not a big concern to CIC.
5. No but you should be available near a telephone in case CBSA calls to verify her new employment contract.

 

[lucybear05]

Thanks so much for the response. She suddenly had a friend volunteer to drive her the 7 hours to Coutts/Sweetgrass at the Montana border, so she left today at 4am to try and get the permit. I am nervous for her. She is so excited about finally being in the LCP program after 4 years here as a regular TFW. She will be devastated if this doesn't work, so keep your fingers crossed!