some simple immigration questions... I could use your help

[phoenixtear]

I'm an American citizen, my bf is in Ontario... I visited for the month of March this year... and left before my time was up

my problem is that I was refused entry the first time because I...

1. didn't have a job (which I quit to come to Canada... and I hated it anyway so it worked out)
2. because I didn't know how long I wanted to stay (I said "as long as Im allowed to" at the border... can someone say bad idea??) and
3. no return ticket (boy could I have done anything more wrong?).... after a lengthy discussion with the IO he (very politely) denied me entry and sent me back to get a round trip ticket (to buffalo... and there I got a round trip ticket for a month... this was all through greyhound)... after which I came back and they let me through after checking in with another IO.

Ive been up, down, in and out of the CIC website... but really its only adding to my confusion of this process

here are my questions... Im sorry there are so many... but the entire process is so confusing to me (you could say its foreign... har har)

I want to visit for 6 weeks soon:
Do you think Im "flagged" in the system and will have to go talk to another IO again? Even if I corrected what I needed to and was granted entry the second time... and based on my past experience what are the chances Id be denied entry again?

Is there a standard amount of money you need for a certain length of time staying? Im wondering if Ill come with too little (Im sure too much wouldnt be an issue)... like some formula or chart... or is it based on personal preference of the IO themselves?

If I want to stay longer... how do I get a visitors visa or is it automatic so Id just have to apply for an extension without one, once I was ready? And what happens if I just stay in Canada past the 6 weeks.. but not more than 6 months? Do I put myself in jeopardy of being allowed to cross again in the future?
I have a child and my entire family is here so I dont know how they could think I wouldnt return.

Honestly I want to stay in Canada (with trips home every once in awhile to visit my kid)... I do know not to say that much at the border

How exactly does one go about getting a job in Canada... Im not skilled... and I know a tiny bit about the LMO's and how that works.. but truly very little anyway... If I wanted to work somewhere.. is it as simple as going to the HR department of a business and seeing if they'd work with me to get a position? If not... then how?

I know this post is long and drawn out.. but ty for taking your time to answer my questions... I cant tell you how much I appreciate it

 

[Leon]

You might be flagged but I guess you'll find out next time you try to enter. Now you know what you need, make sure you have a return ticket, bring cash and give them a concrete date you have to be back in the US by.

If they stamp your passport, unless the stamp says something else or they write something else in there, it is valid for up to 6 months so if you decide to stay longer than the 6 weeks, you are allowed to do that.

I don't know of any chart for how much money you should have as a visitor. If you say you are visiting your boyfriend, I am sure they will take into account that you will not be paying rent or a hotel.

About the job, you are right. You would have to apply for jobs. If you find one, the employer first needs to apply for the LMO, proving that they have advertised the job, are paying market wage and haven't found any Canadians willing or able. If they get the LMO, you can apply for a work permit.

 

[phoenixtear]

thing is.. I dont need a passport... with the changes in the WHTI I only need an enhanced ID... which is what I had to cross the border... so I dont get that (prob highly beneficial) concrete date stamp

ty

 

[Leon]

So unless they tell you or give you a paper telling you that you need to leave by date X, I assume it would be ok for you to stay for 6 months

 

[britincanada]

I think you will find the major problem the first time was that you didn't have a return ticket..the First and foremost thing an IO is looking for is proof that you are going to leave at the end of your stay. You are from a Visa exempt country so therefore you have 6 months in Canada then you have 2 choices,

1. You leave Canada
2. You extend your stay as a visitor and receive a Visitors Record

You MUST have a return ticket...having a job or not in the states is not that big an issue..I am in Canada on a Visitors Record applying for Permanent Residency last time I entered Canada from the UK I was claiming benefits in the UK and didn't work and I have a child with my Canadian Husband..it was not an issue for the boarder official..

You must remember that any time you travel into Canada you can be denied entry there is never a guarantee you will be admitted for any length of time..but the more reasons you eliminate not to let you in the more chance you have of being admitted..

If you state you want to stay for 6 months I believe you need around $10,000 in savings! If you state you wish to stay for 6 weeks and stay for 6 months its no big deal..everyone does it...you are not commiting an offence unless you over stay that 6 months! Its $75 CAD to apply to extend your stay after the 6 months, you have to apply to Vegreville 30 days before your status expires.

If you wish to apply for a Work Permit you have to do it either a) from your home in USA and wait for the Visa or b) At the port of entry..You do need a job lined up and the employer needs to have obtained a positive labour market opinion on your job offer from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) before a work permit can be granted..

Good luck...I dont think you will be red flagged you made a honest mistake the first time, other wise I dont think they would have let you in the second time!

 

[phoenixtear]

I'm bumping this for more input... but Id like to add this question as well

What is the likelihood that they're going to want proof of funds when I cross the border...
for instance... if lied and said I had a certain amount... whats the chances they're going to want to see it (yes I know.. more out of desperation.. I wouldn't resort to this under normal circumstances)...

and... what if I had money in a joint bank account... would they accept that as proof of being able to support myself as long as I had a way to withdraw it?

thanks guys... really

I know these are long shot questions... but I truly appreciate your opinions

 

[michaelab]

Yeah I would like to know about that too! Someone just said $10k for 6 months and thats alot of money for most of us everyday people to have it around in the bank.

One time (when I was going in for 3weeks visit) I was asked about how much money I was carrying and how much in the bank. They did not ask me to show a proof but I guess that might depends on the officers and the travelers. But to be honest how many people just vising friends from visa exempt country to carry the proof of the funds anyway. The POE also asked me how much rent i pay and when the lease is up..and also if I had a health insurance. They seemed to be okay when I told them I was just a stay at home mom..he also knew I wasn't married at that time and the baby's dad was a Canadian. He asked me if we were going to get married. I told him I wasn't sure lets see lol..we didn't marry til 3 months after that.

I wouldn't lie about anything though cause usually thats when you get caught. But just be careful how you word when they ask you all sorts of questions. I have been pretty lucky not to get sent back..but I know I came pretty close esp the first two times that I crossed.

I am sure you should have at least several hundred dollars in cash cus the POE was kinda worried that I wasn't carrying enough..I had 200 dollars on me lol..but I told him I had a bank card and a credit card so I was good.

I'm bumping this for more input... but Id like to add this question as well

What is the likelihood that they're going to want proof of funds when I cross the border...
for instance... if lied and said I had a certain amount... whats the chances they're going to want to see it (yes I know.. more out of desperation.. I wouldn't resort to this under normal circumstances)...

and... what if I had money in a joint bank account... would they accept that as proof of being able to support myself as long as I had a way to withdraw it?

thanks guys... really

I know these are long shot questions... but I truly appreciate your opinions