Thread for Outland LONDON, UK Applications!

[PondHopper]

Hubby finally got his passport back with his visa yesterday YEAH!!! As he is currently here on a 3 month vacation we mailed his passport from here in Canada on May 11th (he was supposed to travel back to the UK tonight as his return ticket was for today ... I guess he won't be anymore LOL). Passport arrived in London on May 18th. Visa was issued June 2nd, but wasn't mailed out until July 5th (don't know if mail strike had anything to do with the delay). Anyways, we are planning to go to the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie tomorrow or the next for his 'landing'. Any tips to a 'smooth landing'? We do not want to go to the States to be 'refused' entry, but rather just stay on the Canadian side, so is it easier to drive, or park and walk? Your responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[AndreUK]

Did any of you London applicants living in Canada need an RCMP (Canadian police) check?

 

[IndividualLikeEveryoneEls]

Did any of you London applicants living in Canada need an RCMP (Canadian police) check?

I did not have one asked of me and I had a stay of over 6 months in Canada

 

[kelly.]

Just holidays I think, but if you go on holiday thats vacation. You take vacation. Its scary how easily those words trip off my tongue now.
Toronto is really PC aswell, sometimes you say happy christmas and people look stunned that you said the word christmas, its almost frowned upon. Its "Happy Holidays", and it really annoys me!

Don't leave flight booking too last minute, sometimes the prices fly up if you leave it too late.
I just checked the flights on airtransat, wow its steep!

It is, I didnt know that. I shall try and remember that thanks!
ohhhh yesss they are. They were down the other day though...it just seems hit and miss! Canadian Affair/Air transat seems to be better than US airway for last min deals, although they are more expensive than US airways to book right now. BLAH. I just can't book until my passport comes back which is a pain, I think I should just stop checking prices or I will drive myself crazy haha

 

[AndreUK]

I did not have one asked of me and I had a stay of over 6 months in Canada

Thanks again! You're just full of encouragement to give today! Let's hope I'm too an "IndividualLikeEveryoneEls" )

 

[Baloo]

..and Jaffa Cakes. I do miss Jaffa Cakes.

OT you can get original Jaffa cakes here in some shops and there is something very similar.

 

[CattAdams]

Hello Everyone!!

So, I am pretty much all packed ready to head home to my husband in Vancouver tomorrow - I do have a question though.....for the list of items we're bringing...do we really have to list every item? I will be shipping boxes to follow...and have listed most of them, but it's all really clothes, books, housewares and personal items...no electronics or anything really exciting haha Same with what I will be taking tomorrow - only electronic item is my laptop...which is actually from Canada! Are they really interested in EVERYTHING or just high value/electronic items?

Just got back from shopping for good old British goodies to take back with me haha YUM!

Thanks in advance!

 

[pinklady]

Hubby finally got his passport back with his visa yesterday YEAH!!! As he is currently here on a 3 month vacation we mailed his passport from here in Canada on May 11th (he was supposed to travel back to the UK tonight as his return ticket was for today ... I guess he won't be anymore LOL). Passport arrived in London on May 18th. Visa was issued June 2nd, but wasn't mailed out until July 5th (don't know if mail strike had anything to do with the delay). Anyways, we are planning to go to the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie tomorrow or the next for his 'landing'. Any tips to a 'smooth landing'? We do not want to go to the States to be 'refused' entry, but rather just stay on the Canadian side, so is it easier to drive, or park and walk? Your responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I am not sure, but I think in order to just stay on the Canadian side you have to be refused entry to the US.... It doesnt effect future trips to the US apparently.
When I landed, we just went shopping in the outlet malls in Buffalo for the day, then landed on the way back in. It was easy and pretty uneventful to be honest!

Congrats on getting passport back!

 

[IndividualLikeEveryoneEls]

Hello Everyone!!

So, I am pretty much all packed ready to head home to my husband in Vancouver tomorrow - I do have a question though.....for the list of items we're bringing...do we really have to list every item? I will be shipping boxes to follow...and have listed most of them, but it's all really clothes, books, housewares and personal items...no electronics or anything really exciting haha Same with what I will be taking tomorrow - only electronic item is my laptop...which is actually from Canada! Are they really interested in EVERYTHING or just high value/electronic items?

Just got back from shopping for good old British goodies to take back with me haha YUM!

Thanks in advance!

An snippet of my list that was accepted just to show they let through vague lists:
- 2 boxes of approx 180 vinyl records
- 2 boxes of glass and glassware
- large box of approx 200 books and 200 CDs
- large box clothes and shoes

Bon voyage

 

[Baloo]

I am not sure, but I think in order to just stay on the Canadian side you have to be refused entry to the US.... It doesnt effect future trips to the US apparently.
When I landed, we just went shopping in the outlet malls in Buffalo for the day, then landed on the way back in. It was easy and pretty uneventful to be honest!

Congrats on getting passport back!

Did you get to pay any taxes or duty on the items that you purchased on that day?

 

[pinklady]

No, they didn't ask, were too pre occupied with me landing
But I suppose I could've claimed them as my belongings right? Anyway, doesnt matter now!

 

[AndreUK]

You will find that border guards in person are much nicer to deal with and easier going!
It's usually a nice chat, but be careful with British humour!! LOL!!!

 

[pinklady]

You will find that border guards in person are much nicer to deal with and easier going!
It's usually a nice chat, but be careful with British humour!! LOL!!!

Have to say, I don't really agree with you. I have had some absolute nightmare border guards, going to USA and coming back to Canada. The worst guy was a US border guard though, awful experience!

I had a couple of good experiences too - both with canadian IO's.

 

[IndividualLikeEveryoneEls]

Have to say, I don't really agree with you. I have had some absolute nightmare border guards, going to USA and coming back to Canada. The worst guy was a US border guard though, awful experience!

I had a couple of good experiences too - both with canadian IO's.

I too have had negative experiences with Canadian IOs. Whether they are 'nice' is largely irrelevant if they do not know the legislation they are enforcing. In two cases with me, they have been 'nice' but have misunderstood immigration law.

 

[pinklady]

I just noticed this is my 6 month anniversary as a member of the forum