Question for those with experience with US/Canada boarder crossing

[Sunshine87]

I just received my sponsorship approval and slowly getting closer to hubby's coveted Permanent Residence status. He is currently living in Arizona and I in Alberta. We were planning on him coming here in September to wait out the rest of the process together, but with a significant raise he just received at work, we are considering that I go to Arizona to wait out the PR together down there. It makes more sense because his job is much better paying than mine, and wasn't planning on working there much longer anyway. As soon as he has his landing date, he'll quit his job and we will pack our cars and head back to Calgary.

The plan is for my husband to fly here and we will drive my car down with just my clothes, a few essentials and the cat.

I know that for Americans coming to Canada with a Canadian spouse, the boarder agents question having ties to the US to disprove intent on remaining in Canada, so I would imagine for me crossing the US boarder will be similar. My worries stem from the fact that I won't have a job at that point to prove that I have ties to Canada, although I'll be prepared to show them my sponsorship approval (if necessary) to help prove that I do not intend to remain in the US. Other ties that I have is a rental agreement for my storage unit and credit card bills addressed to my parents house (where I'm currently living). Will that be enough? I'm just wondering if there's anyone who has been in this situation, or can give me some advice based on their knowledge for US/Canada boarder crossings. I know that it's hard to predict with boarder agents, but I'd like to know what I should come prepared to cross with in case I run into problems.

 

[Belinasha]

I have driven and flown to the U.S. so many times I can't even count how many. I have never gotten questioned more than the usual: where are you staying, how long are you staying? We live near the border and I've visited my husband in the mid-west and my parents in Florida. Not once did I get a weird look or asked anything other than those two questions. You'll be with your husband driving across and you can just say you're going to visit his family for a couple of weeks. I doubt you'll be asked anything else. I wouldn't offer up too much information or start pulling out all kinds of forms in front of the border agent. They usually just waive Canadians/Americans through without much thought. You can have all your documents, including your sponsorship with you for back up in case something happens, but I doubt it will. Have a great trip!

 

[Sunshine87]

Thanks Belinasha... you pretty much confirmed my own thoughts. I'm just a stress case when it comes to this stuff!!

I'll just be that weird lady who takes her cat on roadtrips to vacation in the US

 

[stevelo]

imho, that is not enough for intent. I was in a similar situation with more evidence than yourself and got a not-so-kindly worded letter from CIC and now sit in limbo. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what we are going through currently.

If you can get some pre-arranged, legit employment (and you have to have it dated around/before the time you expect a decision) then that is the best form of evidence if you decide to go down anyway.

Also like you said, he makes good money down there; you have to convince the officer that you guys are coming up and not intending to remain in the US... ie your pre-arranged employment should be equal/better and presumably allow yourselves to work in your own profession (i.e. McD's or Timmy's doesn't count)

Good luck! I hope you guys will get a good result!

 

[Creampop]

In my personal experience... it is harder (for American spouse) to get into Canada... my Husband and I have been together 13 yrs have 2 children and we got sent to immigration once when our oldest was 3 yrs old (he's now 9) and I was red flagged from there they saw I had been arrested but there was no other record i got fined 100.00 bucks never went to court... yet when crossing into the US my husband gets asked no more then Belinasha has been asked, a couple of times before we were married he was asked if we had planned on getting married but nothing really beyond that. They may question your cat LOL they do my kids anyways like Belinasha said be honest but don't offer to much unless they ask for it.... like, if they start asking well how do we knowing your coming back you could then say well here is our Canadian PR Approval letter things like that only give what they ask as my husband tells me maybe I should learn to listen to him lol anyways GL! Enjoy your vacation and time together!