MY EXPERIENCE LAST WEEK- I will tell you EXACTLY what happened when crossing a border last week. This was by land going into Alberta from Montana.
Canadian husband is sponsoring me (American wife) as a spouse. We did not yet submit our application but had just one more day to work on it before we would be done with it. I have crossed from the USA to Canada about 12 times this past year to be with him on 10 day visits and vacations. Never had a problem.
This time, since we are now married and our application is complete, I planned on VISITING him for a few months. I had a few suitcases packed, no furniture, but enough stuff to last me through a long trip. We called about 4 borders all through Canada to ask what we should say when crossing the border. Each one told us "You say that you are coming for an extended STAY but are NOT moving" That made sense.
We got to the border and I tell the agent just that I am coming for a few months stay. They pulled us inside for further questioning. I have no criminal record, no record of over-staying any visa, etc. The agent drilled me with questions about my job (self-employed), my residence, etc. I left my entire application package on the front seat of the car just so that I could grab it to prove that I am being sponsored. For some reason, the agent asked me "how do you know the man you are with?" I replied "He's my husband" She then told me to sit down. She grabbed my car keys and went immediately for the car to find incriminating things. She went through all of my personal belongings including my binder of lease agreement, finance stuff, etc. She again drilled me "Are you trying to move here?" I repeatedly said "no" because I am not allowed to MOVE until I have a resident permit. She then asked why I have an application package in the car. I told her I am being sponsored. Again she asked me "you have a lot of things with you, are you trying to move here?" At this point I am crying my eyes out because she is trying to get me to admit that I am "MOVING" when I am not supposed to be. I again say to her "no I am not allowed, I am only coming for an extended stay until my application is approved".
This point she takes my phone from me and goes through every single text message I have. I have a few messages telling my close friends that I am moving up to Canada for a little bit, etc. She then pulls her supervisor over to talk to me at the counter. She is now telling her supervisor that I am lying about my intent in Canada. Her supervisor (head hancho of that border crossing) looks at me and says "Ma'm are you trying to move here?" I start bawling my eyes out because I AM NOT MOVING UNTIL I HAVE MY PERMIT. He told me to "cut the crap" and finally I gave in saying "Yes, I intend to move here eventually, beginning now I guess"
At this point he tells my husband to get our marriage certificate and bring it to him. This piece of paper SAVED my butt. He looked at it and told the original agent "calm down, they're already married, she's going to get approved for residency, they're going through" The female agent tried to protest by showing him a few texts I sent out saying I found work in Canada, which wasn't true, I just wanted a few people to have closure with me. She told me to my face that I was being a liar. The supervisor told her to "shut up".
He then said to me "You should have been honest with us in the first place, then we can work with you properly." The idiot agent didn't even ask me if I was being sponsored when I told her I was married. Idiot.
She then gave me a proper 6-month Visa with a note in the system "married xxxxx xxxx, is applying for sponsorship for residency, etc" this paper will allow me to go back and forth now un-harassed hopefully. Any border agent will see the note in the system from now on.
The end.
Ps- I cried all the way to his house in Calgary. It was the worst experience of my life.
