Hi folks!
This is mrswolfe #2! mrswolfe #1 mentioned a while ago that I was planning to come up and stay on my visitor visa while we were waiting for PR to process, and I made my crossing tonight. It was, quite honestly, the easiest crossing I have ever experienced.
A bit about my experiences:
I've crossed via Amtrak 6 times this year and never had a problem. Mrswolfe#1 and I have the luxury of visiting each other twice a month (seriously, for everyone with access to amtrak, check out guest rewards points - much cheaper way of traveling!) so we both have a pretty extensive record of border crossing.
I've been unemployed for the entire time I've lived on the west coast (since August, minus about two months where I had a temp job but I didn't cross during that time). Every time I've crossed, I've had a return ticket (there were a few times where I traveled in a vehicle and they asked more questions and my van was searched. That's because i drove a conversion van, which is a flag for drug trafficking, apparently).
Since we started the application process (as far back as January, when we were getting our application together), I have explicitly stated - when asked about returning for work or income - that my wife supports me, that our PR application is in process. Every time I have mentioned that she has already been approved as my sponsor, the border guards have obviously changed their demeanor and almost immediately let me through without additional questions.
I have learned to answer patrol's questions thoroughly and provide them with the information they need up front - when they ask me why I'm visiting, I state i am visiting my wife, and I am staying for xx days, and that I have a return ticket. Usually they ask a few follow up questions, including where my wife is, and if i have a job to return to. In my experience, stating that our PR application is in process has only helped our cause, rather than hindered. I am ultra paranoid every time I cross, with little reason.
But now i'm in Vancouver and I feel a LOT better waiting out the final months of our PR process with my wife. Portland is a lovely city, but my wife is lovelier. Still no updates on our application (waiting on AOR, which it seems we'll probably never get). I'll be sending an email on July 1st updating our address, and I hope their response is our PPR!
- mrswolfe#2