OUTLAND U.S. to BC - February 2017

[c.varo16]

Hi everyone! Hoping for a little clarification on my husband and I's PR application. We appreciate any feedback in advance!

Just a bit of info about our case-

- I am from the U.S., and my husband lives in Richmond, BC.
- I am applying to be a permanent resident of Canada
- I will be working remotely for a U.S. company and NOT be looking for employment in Canada
- Our submission will be very straight-forward and simple. My husband has a good job and would be a good candidate for a sponsor. I have a clean record and cannot think of anything about our relationship that would delay our application. We have extensive proof of legitimacy with all supporting documents.

Now for some of the things that I am questioning..

We plan to submit our PR application within the next 2 weeks. My husband will be moving into a new condo March 1st, where I would like to stay with him for about a month and a half before I return back to the U.S.

1. We have a healthy domestic cat who lives with me in California. I would like to move her in with my husband March 1st. What should I expect at the border? Our cat will not be coming back with me and will be staying with him permanently. Does my husband need to fill out any forms beforehand? I read a few things on the Canada website, but I'm still a bit unsure. Also, I was thinking that it might be better for me to fly into BLI so that we can cross the border together? Not sure if that would be helpful in any way.

2. Being that I will be staying in Canada for about a month and a half before I return back to California, I would like to bring a few household items and my clothing that I will NOT be taking back with me when I leave Canada. Should I expect to pay duty on these since I am not technically an approved PR yet? All of the household items are pre-owned.

3. We are hoping that our PR application does not take too long to process, because I would like to move permanently in June after our California wedding reception (we are already married, this is just a celebration for my family). Being that I will likely not be able to take all of my belongings duty/tax-free until my PR app is approved, does anyone know how long the wait is these days for a case like ours with the new expedited/improved PR application process?

Any feedback is helpful.. Thank you!

 

[danawhitaker]

Hi everyone! Hoping for a little clarification on my husband and I's PR application. We appreciate any feedback in advance!

Just a bit of info about our case-

- I am from the U.S., and my husband lives in Richmond, BC.
- I am applying to be a permanent resident of Canada
- I will be working remotely for a U.S. company and NOT be looking for employment in Canada
- Our submission will be very straight-forward and simple. My husband has a good job and would be a good candidate for a sponsor. I have a clean record and cannot think of anything about our relationship that would delay our application. We have extensive proof of legitimacy with all supporting documents.

Now for some of the things that I am questioning..

We plan to submit our PR application within the next 2 weeks. My husband will be moving into a new condo March 1st, where I would like to stay with him for about a month and a half before I return back to the U.S.

1. We have a healthy domestic cat who lives with me in California. I would like to move her in with my husband March 1st. What should I expect at the border? Our cat will not be coming back with me and will be staying with him permanently. Does my husband need to fill out any forms beforehand? I read a few things on the Canada website, but I'm still a bit unsure. Also, I was thinking that it might be better for me to fly into BLI so that we can cross the border together? Not sure if that would be helpful in any way.

2. Being that I will be staying in Canada for about a month and a half before I return back to California, I would like to bring a few household items and my clothing that I will NOT be taking back with me when I leave Canada. Should I expect to pay duty on these since I am not technically an approved PR yet? All of the household items are pre-owned.

3. We are hoping that our PR application does not take too long to process, because I would like to move permanently in June after our California wedding reception (we are already married, this is just a celebration for my family). Being that I will likely not be able to take all of my belongings duty/tax-free until my PR app is approved, does anyone know how long the wait is these days for a case like ours with the new expedited/improved PR application process?

Any feedback is helpful.. Thank you!

I did something similar with my cat. The agent at the border didn't seem to actually notice her. I had an updated rabies vaccine certificate in my husband's name if they asked questions. My husband and I crossed together by car, and it was late, so that's perhaps why he didn't notice the cat.

 

[Aquakitty]

Are you driving or flying?

If you have your PR app submitted before you head up here, they will usually give you an easier time. That said, it's not a good idea to bring a lot of household goods over the border until you are ready to land. If it's just a few things in suitcases, that's fine, but if you are talking pots and pans and blenders or other things that imply "living", hold off.

About the cat, no reason you have to meet up with your husband. If they question you about it, just say you are visiting your husband and didn't want to leave your cat for a month. Make sure it has its required shots etc


Because the US is not rabies-free, you are supposed to have:

Rabies Vaccination Certificate

The rabies vaccination certificate must:

be written in English or French;
be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
indicate the date of vaccination;
indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine; and
specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for one year from the date of vaccination).
The European Union pet passport is an acceptable alternative to the rabies vaccination certificate as long as all the required elements are included.

Veterinary Certificate

The veterinary certificate must:

be written in English or French;
be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least six (6) months immediately preceding shipment to Canada; and
be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada.
A competent government authority refers to a veterinary agency or other government agency that manages a country's animal health and welfare situation, as well as handles the responsibility of veterinary certification for the purposes of international trade. The document can be either:

a letter issued on the competent government authority's letterhead, which must be dated, stamped and signed by an official of the competent government authority in the country of origin; or
a letter by the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate, which must be endorsed by the competent government authority.

 

[c.varo16]

I did something similar with my cat. The agent at the border didn't seem to actually notice her. I had an updated rabies vaccine certificate in my husband's name if they asked questions. My husband and I crossed together by car, and it was late, so that's perhaps why he didn't notice the cat.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[c.varo16]

Are you driving or flying?

If you have your PR app submitted before you head up here, they will usually give you an easier time. That said, it's not a good idea to bring a lot of household goods over the border until you are ready to land. If it's just a few things in suitcases, that's fine, but if you are talking pots and pans and blenders or other things that imply "living", hold off.

About the cat, no reason you have to meet up with your husband. If they question you about it, just say you are visiting your husband and didn't want to leave your cat for a month. Make sure it has its required shots etc


Because the US is not rabies-free, you are supposed to have:

Rabies Vaccination Certificate

The rabies vaccination certificate must:

be written in English or French;
be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
indicate the date of vaccination;
indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine; and
specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for one year from the date of vaccination).
The European Union pet passport is an acceptable alternative to the rabies vaccination certificate as long as all the required elements are included.

Veterinary Certificate

The veterinary certificate must:

be written in English or French;
be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian;
identify the animal (as in breed, colour, and weight);
state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least six (6) months immediately preceding shipment to Canada; and
be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada.
A competent government authority refers to a veterinary agency or other government agency that manages a country's animal health and welfare situation, as well as handles the responsibility of veterinary certification for the purposes of international trade. The document can be either:

a letter issued on the competent government authority's letterhead, which must be dated, stamped and signed by an official of the competent government authority in the country of origin; or
a letter by the licensed veterinarian who issued the certificate, which must be endorsed by the competent government authority.

It'll probably just be a suitcase full of household goods that my husband will need at the new place (Chemex, Crockpot,).. Hoping they don't give me a hard time.

As far as the cat.. What if they ask if the cat will be returning with me? That's where I sort of saw issues coming up.

 

[Aquakitty]

It'll probably just be a suitcase full of household goods that my husband will need at the new place (Chemex, Crockpot,).. Hoping they don't give me a hard time.

As far as the cat.. What if they ask if the cat will be returning with me? That's where I sort of saw issues coming up.

If they look through your stuff, along with the cat, it might make them suspicious. Likely nothing will happen, but you never know. Just bring some proof you will return (evidence of job, house whatever).

It doesn't matter if your cat is a "visitor" or is landing as a "PR", the rules are the same.

Just tell them your cat is landing as a "PURRRR-R". :

 

[Stevin]

Hi everyone! Hoping for a little clarification on my husband and I's PR application. We appreciate any feedback in advance!

Just a bit of info about our case-

- I am from the U.S., and my husband lives in Richmond, BC.
- I am applying to be a permanent resident of Canada
- I will be working remotely for a U.S. company and NOT be looking for employment in Canada
- Our submission will be very straight-forward and simple. My husband has a good job and would be a good candidate for a sponsor. I have a clean record and cannot think of anything about our relationship that would delay our application. We have extensive proof of legitimacy with all supporting documents.

Now for some of the things that I am questioning..

We plan to submit our PR application within the next 2 weeks. My husband will be moving into a new condo March 1st, where I would like to stay with him for about a month and a half before I return back to the U.S.

1. We have a healthy domestic cat who lives with me in California. I would like to move her in with my husband March 1st. What should I expect at the border? Our cat will not be coming back with me and will be staying with him permanently. Does my husband need to fill out any forms beforehand? I read a few things on the Canada website, but I'm still a bit unsure. Also, I was thinking that it might be better for me to fly into BLI so that we can cross the border together? Not sure if that would be helpful in any way.

2. Being that I will be staying in Canada for about a month and a half before I return back to California, I would like to bring a few household items and my clothing that I will NOT be taking back with me when I leave Canada. Should I expect to pay duty on these since I am not technically an approved PR yet? All of the household items are pre-owned.

3. We are hoping that our PR application does not take too long to process, because I would like to move permanently in June after our California wedding reception (we are already married, this is just a celebration for my family). Being that I will likely not be able to take all of my belongings duty/tax-free until my PR app is approved, does anyone know how long the wait is these days for a case like ours with the new expedited/improved PR application process?

Any feedback is helpful.. Thank you!

Hi! Before I begin - I have not had the opp to read the other responses so forgive me if I'm telling you "nothing new". My boyfriend is from RI and he was just granted PR. you can bring your cat. He brought his dog. We made sure to have all his vaccines updated and all the paperwork. They didn't even ask when we crossed the border.

We basically had a few suitcases and 2 boxes of stuff with us when we crossed the border. The brought him in for questioning but then we were free to don I think their main concern was that he wasn't coming here to work - which he was not.

Based on recent history if you apply in Feb you should be able to expect PR in about 6 months.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[c.varo16]

Hi! Before I begin - I have not had the opp to read the other responses so forgive me if I'm telling you "nothing new". My boyfriend is from RI and he was just granted PR. you can bring your cat. He brought his dog. We made sure to have all his vaccines updated and all the paperwork. They didn't even ask when we crossed the border.

We basically had a few suitcases and 2 boxes of stuff with us when we crossed the border. The brought him in for questioning but then we were free to don I think their main concern was that he wasn't coming here to work - which he was not.

Based on recent history if you apply in Feb you should be able to expect PR in about 6 months.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hi Stevin!

Thank you for your response and insight! Just a few questions..

When you crossed over with your boyfriend with the dog and belongings, was he already granted PR at that point?

 

[c.varo16]

If they look through your stuff, along with the cat, it might make them suspicious. Likely nothing will happen, but you never know. Just bring some proof you will return (evidence of job, house whatever).

It doesn't matter if your cat is a "visitor" or is landing as a "PR", the rules are the same.

Just tell them your cat is landing as a "PURRRR-R". :

Haha! Kitty is definitely looking forward to becoming a PURRR-R! Thank you for your response.

 

[barch88]

Hi,

I'm also a US applicant joining my wife in BC, Canada! I applied in January and already got my visa forwarded to Owatta for processing. Can I rent a U-Haul and move across the border and then come back and claim my car? What would the possible way of doing my landing be? Also, as a US applicant do we have to mail our passport or can we go to the border and have them stamp it?

Sorry to hijack your thread, just some other questions I had as far as landing and moving goes.

 

[c.varo16]

Hi,

I'm also a US applicant joining my wife in BC, Canada! I applied in January and already got my visa forwarded to Owatta for processing. Can I rent a U-Haul and move across the border and then come back and claim my car? What would the possible way of doing my landing be? Also, as a US applicant do we have to mail our passport or can we go to the border and have them stamp it?

Sorry to hijack your thread, just some other questions I had as far as landing and moving goes.

Feel free! Seems like we're sort of in the same boat so I'll probably have all the same questions.

Hoping for a speedy processing for you and your wife!