question about entering the country without landing

[WeeHippieElf]

has anyone had any experience entering the country on a one-way ticket but not officially landing at the airport of entry? i'm hoping to flagpole with my husband at the border rather than have him land at the airport. has anyone tried this and been told you must land because you only had a one-way ticket?

 

[truesmile]

Are you visa-exempt? If so, then yes you can simply enter the country as a visitor on your foreign passport and "land" later.

 

[WeeHippieElf]

yes, my husband is visa-exempt. my concern is that he will be coming on a one-way ticket, which is not acceptable for a visitor - which he technically will be until he activates his PR status by landing at a later date. still okay?

 

[truesmile]

Have him show his COPR to "board" the plane if necessary in the absence of a two-way ticket, and then enter Canada only as a visitor once he gets here.

 

[WeeHippieElf]

perfect!! thank you - that's great

 

[keesio]

Have him show his COPR to "board" the plane if necessary in the absence of a two-way ticket, and then enter Canada only as a visitor once he gets here.

Note that airline officials are not that familiar with the COPR. There is a chance that they will not know what it is. The things they are trained on are valid travel documents - passports, PR cards and various official visa (work permit, travel document, etc).

 

[bradybunchmom]

I arrived here with a 1 way ticket with my kids without issues. I was honest about my intentions. My teenage daughter also did so without issue. I would say just be honest on your plans and most like you won't have issues but be prepared just in case.

 

[WeeHippieElf]

I arrived here with a 1 way ticket with my kids without issues. I was honest about my intentions. My teenage daughter also did so without issue. I would say just be honest on your plans and most like you won't have issues but be prepared just in case.

so you arrived as a visitor with a one way ticket and then landed at a later date, with no issues? fantastic news, that makes me really hopeful!

 

[Rob_TO]

Why delay the landing? Would be so much easier to just do it at the airport, and will expedite him getting a SIN, health card, etc.

 

[bradybunchmom]

so you arrived as a visitor with a one way ticket and then landed at a later date, with no issues? fantastic news, that makes me really hopeful!

No we haven't landed yet. I wish. I just meant we came as visitors with a one way ticket. I was more referring to issues with the airlines or customs. I would guess though that if you told the cic officer in customs that you plan on landing with your spouse at the border you won't have issues. I seriously believe people have more issues when they act nervous and give vague answers. I hope all goes well.

 

[WeeHippieElf]

No we haven't landed yet. I wish. I just meant we came as visitors with a one way ticket. I was more referring to issues with the airlines or customs. I would guess though that if you told the cic officer in customs that you plan on landing with your spouse at the border you won't have issues. I seriously believe people have more issues when they act nervous and give vague answers. I hope all goes well.

gotcha and yes, i agree, being honest and straightforward is definitely the way to go! thanks for reassuring me with your experiences

Why delay the landing? Would be so much easier to just do it at the airport, and will expedite him getting a SIN, health card, etc.

i'm wanting to delay the landing because i'm a big sappy romantic i want to be with my husband when he lands, and i can't do that at the airport because i'm already in Canada. we will be going to the border either the day he lands or the next day, so it's not going to affect how long it takes to get his SIN or health card, and the extra effort means i can be with him when he lands... definitely worth the effort i just wasn't sure it would be logistically possible, but seems like it will be!

 

[truesmile]

Note that airline officials are not that familiar with the COPR. There is a chance that they will not know what it is. The things they are trained on are valid travel documents - passports, PR cards and various official visa (work permit, travel document, etc).

Very true.

 

[WeeHippieElf]

so i flew home from Scotland today, taking the same airline my husband will take in a few months when he comes to Canada, and i spoke with the airline reps AND the border guards at customs about these plans.. they all said yes, no problem! the only concern is making sure he lands before his deadline, which isn't a problem in our case (he's coming in May and his deadline is December). hooray!