Please Hear me out, I need help.

[keesio]

never tried for a nexus pass. didn't think it would make a difference. from what i know it only guarantees you a quick entry into CAnada, not longer periods of visits. Up until recently i've always been pulled into secondary, so it never seemed logical to apply for it. what benefits (besides the quicker line) have you noticed with the nexus pass?

It's basically for speed. When crossing by car, there is a dedicated NEXUS lane (note that to use it, everyone in the car must be NEXUS members). You pull out your cards and then drive through. Most of the time, the border guard simply confirms that the pictures on his screen match the people in the car and then waves you through.

In the airport, you use the Global Entry / NEXUS kiosk. You don't need to talk to any immigration agent. In most Canadian airports, you also have a special NEXUS lane for security. I can get out of the taxi at the terminal and be sitting in my gate in 5 minutes. I used to show up to the airport at least 90 minutes before my flight. Now as long as I get there about 30 minutes before (assuming no check-in bag), I know I am good because I blast through all the lines.

So it is mostly for the quicker lines. But oh is it worth it if you travel back and forth a lot.

 

[truesmile]

Exactly. It's not a quicker line, it's NO line. AND don't hafta even say "hi" to a customs officer.

 

[rhcohen2014]

btw KATESTER - how's your application progressing? i was reading your post history and it sounds like you guys are having a tough time. I hope everything is working out in the end. also, did you get a nexus pass, and if so, did you notice your border crossing to be less difficult?

 

[JessNess]

I am an American citizen married to a Canadian. I have exited and entered Canada about 15 times this past year while we were dating then married. I am still exiting and entering because I applied OUTLAND.

Each time I am issued a form (upon request) that is valid for 6 months as my "visa". It states that I am in the PR application process and I am being sponsored by XX. This visa becomes null and void once I leave Canada's border. It is not for multiple-entry. Each time I leave Canada, and then enter again, I start from Time 0.

There is no 6-month "calendar year" visa rule for people who are citizens of the USA (I cannot speak for other countries).

 

[rhcohen2014]

I am an American citizen married to a Canadian. I have exited and entered Canada about 15 times this past year while we were dating then married. I am still exiting and entering because I applied OUTLAND.

Each time I am issued a form (upon request) that is valid for 6 months as my "visa". It states that I am in the PR application process and I am being sponsored by XX. This visa becomes null and void once I leave Canada's border. It is not for multiple-entry. Each time I leave Canada, and then enter again, I start from Time 0.

There is no 6-month "calendar year" visa rule for people who are citizens of the USA (I cannot speak for other countries).

interesting! thank you for this information. so from your experience, as long as EACH visit is not more than 6 months, we can basically enter as much as we want? also, what border do you cross, and is it by land or air? one more question... do you find you need to have a certain length of time back in the states before you go visit again?

 

[JessNess]

Basically, starting in February 2013, I started dating my now husband. He would come to the USA for 10 days, then I would go to Canada for 10 days the next month. We did this system for about 12 months before we finally got fed up with it and were in too in love to do this BS anymore. So we just got married in Feb. 2014. Each visit I was in Canada for about 2 weeks. However, since we filed our app on April 1st, I moved all my stuff to his house to be with him. I told the border I am going to stay with him while I file outland (we crossed by car) and they (for the first time) gave me a paper visa to staple in my passport. It is valid for 6 months and actually is typed explaining what I am doing there, etc. I had to leave Canada to get eye surgery, so when I re-enter tomorrow, I will request another one of these papers because the one they gave me says explicitly "THIS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE RE-ENTRY"

Hopefully I won't be harassed again…last time was a nightmare.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Basically, starting in February 2013, I started dating my now husband. He would come to the USA for 10 days, then I would go to Canada for 10 days the next month. We did this system for about 12 months before we finally got fed up with it and were in too in love to do this BS anymore. So we just got married in Feb. 2014. Each visit I was in Canada for about 2 weeks. However, since we filed our app on April 1st, I moved all my stuff to his house to be with him. I told the border I am going to stay with him while I file outland (we crossed by car) and they (for the first time) gave me a paper visa to staple in my passport. It is valid for 6 months and actually is typed explaining what I am doing there, etc. I had to leave Canada to get eye surgery, so when I re-enter tomorrow, I will request another one of these papers because the one they gave me says explicitly "THIS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE RE-ENTRY"

Hopefully I won't be harassed again...last time was a nightmare.

from my experience, if the pass (which i think is a visitor's record - i've had a couple!) is dated for a future leave date, then you *may* just be able to pass through in primary without getting out of the car. the last time i crossed, i had to leave canada unexpectedly, so i had a future date already stamped in my passport. i got to zip right through! they like to test us, so the more we comply with their rules, the easier it seems to get.

what border do you cross at? (us city) i usually cross at watertown, ny to get to ottawa.

 

[JessNess]

Every single crossing I do by air (from California into Calgary) but when I moved all my luggage, I drove through Montana at Sweetgrass/Coutts. They reamed me for sure about trying to move there before getting my PR but seeing how I already paid the fees and my husband was with me, they realized they can't really do much to prevent my visit.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Every single crossing I do by air (from California into Calgary) but when I moved all my luggage, I drove through Montana at Sweetgrass/Coutts. They reamed me for sure about trying to move there before getting my PR but seeing how I already paid the fees and my husband was with me, they realized they can't really do much to prevent my visit.

eesh! you are lucky! enjoy your stay.

 

[katester]

never tried for a nexus pass. didn't think it would make a difference. from what i know it only guarantees you a quick entry into CAnada, not longer periods of visits. Up until recently i've always been pulled into secondary, so it never seemed logical to apply for it. what benefits (besides the quicker line) have you noticed with the nexus pass?

I've only used my nexus twice so far. I got it issues in November, then changed my name and had another interview in January and due to an Agent error I didn't get get it until April. But I don't think that's normal, so I've used it twice and I was told that we answer 3 main questions without being asked- where you were ( if canadian) where you are going ( if American) how long and what you have with you. However both times before getting to state anything the Agent starts with the questioning. Is this typical, does anyone know??

Anyway, crossing was much quicker and easier. Didn't have to wait in any lines and I've learned to say early on I am waiting on PR status. This seems to give them the impression I am playing by their rules, and they like that!

 

[lleahdoll]

I haven't heard about this 6 months per calendar year until the last few days. I keep seeing it on a couple different threads.

My experience with the border:
I am an American. My husband is a Canadian citizen (in Quebec).
My husband and I started dating August 2012. He came to visit me in the states for the first time in October 2012. He got really harrassed by the border officers. They adamantly told him they didn't believe his "story" (that he met a girl online and was going to visit her for a week). They thought he didn't have enough money on hand ($500) even though he didn't need to pay for a hotel or rental car or anything costly. And he had a return flight booked and paid for already. He finally got through, had missed his flight and had multiple delays.
He visited me for about 6 days, went back no problem.

I then decided to visit him December 2012. I traveled by plane and crossed at Trudeau. I told border officers I was visiting. They said who. I told them I was visiting my boyfriend. They asked if I would be working or going to school. I told them no, just visiting for the holidays.
They stamped my passport- I got the full 6 months allowed.

I stayed 6 months. Left at the beginning of June 2013. About 3 days into my return to the states, my boyfriend surprised me with a visit and proposed. I then went back with him to Quebec a few days later.
They asked what the reason for my visit was. I told them visiting my fiance. They asked if we had plans either way to apply for PR in the states or in Canada. I said we weren't sure yet and we were still discussing the options.
I did not get my passport stamped, so I got the full 6 months again.

We ended up deciding to get married in August so we would could start PR and not have to be apart any more than was necessary.
I had to leave November 2013 before my 6 month stay was up. I went to California to visit family for the holidays. After 2 weeks, I went back to Montreal. They asked what I was in Canada for. I said "Visiting my husband". She stamped my passport and that was all. So again I got the full 6 months.

We are slow pokes so are still working on gathering everything for our PR application. I plan on applying for an extension this week so I don't have to leave. I am worried about not having many ties to the US. Obviously I have been in Canada the past 1 1/2 years more than I've been in the US so I don't have a job that I left (who would give you a year + off? haha) and I took a break from school when I first visited my husband in Dec 2012. So I am not enrolled. I also, obviously don't have a lease or rent agreement since... well.. it would be an empty apartment and a waste of money to pay rent when you don't live somewhere.

Anyways. That's my experience so far. I hope that clears some things up. I assume if Canadian VOs had some rules about 6 months per calendar year that they'd be able to check when you were last in Canada. As of now, they don't offhand. Starting in June I believe they will be exchanging info with the US border officers to see when you left Canada.

 

[katester]

Wow, you've been lucky! We get hassled every time. However now that we have our PR application in I mention that and they lay off a bit. But every once I'm a while the Agent sits there and types a book out on his computer.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I assume if Canadian VOs had some rules about 6 months per calendar year that they'd be able to check when you were last in Canada. As of now, they don't offhand. Starting in June I believe they will be exchanging info with the US border officers to see when you left Canada.

they certainly do know when you left canada or the last time you visit. First, if they don't ask you that specific question, the stamp in the passport will have a date you entered, and sometimes they will scan your passport so that it's logged into the system. "When was the last time you were in Canada" is one of the questions i am always asked when crossing, and i usually study my passport stamps to remember the exact date.

They have already started sharing entry information with the US. When I entereted in March, I asked that question, and the border agent confirmed they now share. This is a new thing, because my husband asked the US side a while ago, and was told they didn't have a way to share the info.

You definitely are lucky with your crossings... it's also border/agent specific as to how easy or difficult they make the process. Air is certainly easier than land since it's easier to prove your plans for leaving because most travelers have a return ticket with them. Since i'll be going back without proof of work, my new opening line is going to be "i'm here to visit my husband, and we submitted our PR application in March." I usually let them get through a couple of questions first before showing them my stack of papers. I agree with katester that they lighten up when they know you are married and are applying for PR.

 

[lleahdoll]

they certainly do know when you left canada or the last time you visit. First, if they don't ask you that specific question, the stamp in the passport will have a date you entered, and sometimes they will scan your passport so that it's logged into the system. "When was the last time you were in Canada" is one of the questions i am always asked when crossing, and i usually study my passport stamps to remember the exact date.

They have already started sharing entry information with the US. When I entereted in March, I asked that question, and the border agent confirmed they now share. This is a new thing, because my husband asked the US side a while ago, and was told they didn't have a way to share the info.

You definitely are lucky with your crossings... it's also border/agent specific as to how easy or difficult they make the process. Air is certainly easier than land since it's easier to prove your plans for leaving because most travelers have a return ticket with them. Since i'll be going back without proof of work, my new opening line is going to be "i'm here to visit my husband, and we submitted our PR application in March." I usually let them get through a couple of questions first before showing them my stack of papers. I agree with katester that they lighten up when they know you are married and are applying for PR.

How would they know when you left Canada? I read that starting June they'd share info with the US side, but maybe some places started early. It is May already..

And if they DO know when I left Canada last, I guess they don't care that I come back so soon after I left? They have never said anything to me about it. Nor have they ever asked when I was last in Canada. I would divulge that information truthfully but they have never asked me before.
I have 2 stamps from my December 2012 visit and from my most recent December 2013 visit. When I entered in June 2013, I did not get a stamp in my passport but they also didn't ask about when I was last here.

I guess I am just lucky? I'm grateful though because I always get super nervous when I have to talk to the VOs.

 

[chala]

US citizens who are visiting Canada and have a PR application in progress do not have to cross back and forth the border to reset the 6 months visitor period. Simply apply online for a visitor visa extension approximately 1 month before your 6 months is up. In most cases CIC will grant you a 1 year extention. It seems like they understand that families want to be together during PR processing. We have done this without any problems over the last 2 years and during this time I have returned to the USA twice by air, with no questions asked each time.