Sufficient Proof of PR Application at US/Canada Border Crossing (by car)?

[gwenwhyvar32]

Hey all,

I've tried to search for a thread that addresses this and have seen a few that mention it indirectly but I would love to have a direct reply to this question.

My husband and I have been married for three years, lived together for another three before that, and we have been living in the US with him on a green card (after doing this whole process three years ago for US immigration) and now will be moving to Canada. To clarify: he's Canadian, I'm American.

We sent off our application yesterday. (Woohoo!) Now, he is moving back to Canada in mid June to start work and I will be working as a self-employed author (earning $ in the USA and NOT Canada) and would like to go with him, but have the flexibility to stay in the US for a while if I need to (still maintaining a bank account and mailing address in the US regardless).

What do I need to prove to the border guards that I have a. applied to live in Canada legally, b. do not intend to try to work illegally in Canada and c. have sufficient ties to the US that they won't worry I'm trying to stay before I'm welcome?

I have the following: Receipt for the fees for application (printed proof of online payment), proof of medical exam, bank statements with a US address and sufficient funds for six months in Canada, a car still registered in the US and car insurance in the US, and health insurance in the US.

What else should I bring? Has this worked for others? Do I have to wait until his Sponsorship is approved and then take that letter as proof? I would love to know what has worked for others. Thanks for your time!

~Gwen

 

[gwenwhyvar32]

Can anyone help me with this question? Pretty please...

 

[scylla]

It would be better to have the sponsorship approved letter - but not mandatory by any means.

It would be preferable if your husband was in the car with you and did most of the talking.

Whatever you do, don't pack your car like you're moving. Bring a couple of suitcases tops. Don't bring stuff like a microwave, desktop computer or bookshelves. If you need to bring this kind of stuff with you, then your husband should drive it over the border alone and you should travel separately.

 

[gwenwhyvar32]

It would be better to have the sponsorship approved letter - but not mandatory by any means.

It would be preferable if your husband was in the car with you and did most of the talking.

Whatever you do, don't pack your car like you're moving. Bring a couple of suitcases tops. Don't bring stuff like a microwave, desktop computer or bookshelves. If you need to bring this kind of stuff with you, then your husband should drive it over the border alone and you should travel separately.

Thanks for the response, Scylla!

He's going to be driving up in a uhaul truck with all of our stuff, so I thought I should perhaps follow a few days later with nothing but my camping stuff and the dog. That way, it's easy to explain that I'm just "visiting" until the PR goes through or my six months is up, whichever happens first. And I do have plans to head back to the States in December/January anyway, so I can agree to a VR with those dates and then head home for a month or so and then come back. Hopefully, we'll be almost done waiting by then...

Do you have experience with this? Does that sound like it would work?

 

[QuebecOkie]

It sounds like a good plan. No one can tell you 100% that you won't have any trouble at the border. Unfortunately, it's up to the border agent at that particular moment. But you definitely sound well-prepared. Try not to stress out too badly, and just answer questions as asked. Good luck!

 

[gwenwhyvar32]

Thanks! I hope it goes smoothly. I don't mind being asked a lot of questions or being assigned a VR, but I just want to make sure I don't get turned away and can stay until December. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Ponga]

Be sure to have your updated vaccination records for your dog.

Good luck!

 

[Caribou]

I've read from other people, that if you tell the office that you filed the sponsorship, and you want to stay in Canada, they may issue you a 1 year visitor record inside the office.(instead of conventional 6 mo)
Number 1 rule is to be honest to the officer, and most of Canadian officers are very helpful with situation.

 

[gwenwhyvar32]

Be sure to have your updated vaccination records for your dog.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reminder, Ponga! I looked everywhere to see what the requirements were to bring her in, but couldn't find anything outside the visiting requirements. I've driven her (the dog) over the border a number of times and only had an updated vaccination record, hopefully that's all that's required this time too.

 

[gwenwhyvar32]

I've read from other people, that if you tell the office that you filed the sponsorship, and you want to stay in Canada, they may issue you a 1 year visitor record inside the office.(instead of conventional 6 mo)
Number 1 rule is to be honest to the officer, and most of Canadian officers are very helpful with situation.

Thanks, Caribou! That's good to know. That would be very convenient. I guess we'll see what happens. Only a few weeks away now!