Requirements for Visitor from USA

[bree_flower]

Hello!

I have a couple questions I need answered ASAP about a Visitor from the USA coming into Canada... So any help would be very much appreciated!!!

I am a 24 year old Canadian citizen, and my fiance is a 28 year old American citizen. We are planning on getting married here in Canada in August, and afterwards we will be applying for permanent residence for him through spousal sponsorship. In the meantime, however, he would like to come up here on a visitor's visa so that we can finish off wedding plans, get married, and go on our honeymoon. We are planning on him receiving a 6-month visitor's visa, so that all of this can happen. The plan is to apply for an extension of his visa after the wedding, at the same time we apply for his PR, so that he can stay here with me while we wait. (If his extension is denied however, he is fully willing and intends to go back to the US while we await his PR approval) My question is this, what does he need to have with him, in terms of documentation etc, when he comes to the POE? I know visitors from the US do not have to apply for a visitor's visa, but I cannot find any info on what he DOES need. I am assuming he needs his passport, and probably a couple other forms of ID, but what else is required? (He will bring proof of his US bank account, which he will leave open this whole time, in case he needs to go back to the States before PR comes through, as well as proof of an active student loan, and a job opening that is being held for him, should he need to leave Canada and go back to the States.) Does he need a letter of invitation? A criminal record check? Would it go smoother at the POE if I were with him? (I could drive down and meet up with him and go through the POE with him if it would help)
Also, what is permissable concerning what possessions he brings with him? He plans on bringing a couple suitcases of clothing, his computer, and maybe half a dozen books etc. Does anyone foresee a problem with these items?
What all would he need to prove his intent to leave at the end of his visa if he is denied an extension?
Any help that anyone could give would be very much appreciated, as my fiance would like to come up ASAP!

Also, any help or advice you may have concerning the visitor's visa process would be very helpful! Here's some additional info about the situation if it helps at all)-He will be staying with me and my family the whole time, so he will not need money for accomodations or food, etc.
-He owns the deed to his car, so he shouldn't have any issues with bringing his car
-Neither one of us has a criminal record of any kind
-Neither of us has any medical issues

 

[bree_flower]

Please, I would really appreciate any advice or info anyone would have!!!!!!

 

[scarletsally]

He doesn't need a visitor visa as he is an American Citizen. He can just drive up to the Canadian border and present his passport. By computer, do you mean laptop? If yes, then he's fine. If he's bringing a very big computer (ie desktop) that may cause delays or problems (who brings a desktop to travel?).

He will get a stamp at the border stating the duration he can stay (if there's no stamp, it's automatically 6 months from entry). If he wants to extend his stay, he just has to apply for an extension to stay in Canada (read here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visitor.asp)

 

[scylla]

Border crossings are always a dice roll - meaning that no one can tell you for sure what will happen no matter how well you prepare. You haven't been able to find a list of what he does need to enter Canada because no official list exists. The decision about whether to let him in and for how long is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

To increase his chances of being let into Canada without any problems he should do the following... Look like someone who is visiting - not coming to Canada to live. This means keeping the amount of suitcases and other belongings to a minimum. He should be OK with two suitcases as long as they're not huge and overstuffed. Is the computer a laptop? If yes - bring it. If no (desktop) - I would leave it behind (desktop computer screams, "I'm coming for longer than a visit").

Bring as much proof as possible showing his ties to the US (but he shouldn't pull this stuff out unless asked). Bring a bank statement that shows a sufficient balance to support himself for a six month trip ($1K per month should be good).

He does not need an invitation letter or a criminal check.

It would help for you to cross with him if you had already filed the paperwork to sponsor him. Since you haven't and are still months away from doing so - I'm not sure if your presence will help or harm (hopefully someone else will be able to comment).