US citizen wife and moving back to Canada

[Smonro04]

Hi all! After reading so many of these forums, I decided to creat my own topic as I am not really finding a good enough answer.

My wife is a US citizen. I am a Canadian. I have been residing in the US on a TN work visa (good for 3 years) since last May (2013). Now when I moved here for work, I literally had nothing and my wife had only a few possessions. I now have a job offer in Victoria, BC and we would like to go there. My wife and I are going to file an inland application. We plan on having the application filled out and all documents attached that need be, along with paying the fees. We will have this application with us when we cross, as I see that that is the best way to cross with all documentation so the border knows we are legit and meaning to apply.

Now, I need to move all my possessions, eg. Furniture, household items, etc etc back over the border that I accumulated while here in the states. The problem is, by what I'm reading, is that if I am coming over the border with my US wife and a uhaul of stuff, that they may turn us away because they may think that she is trying to "move" to Canada, when in reality, all she has is her clothes, books, personal items.

So I guess I have a few things to ask:

-Would bringing the Uhaul full of my things put her at risk of being denied entry? If I were to explain that the possessions are mine, as I have proof I have resided in the States for a year, would they still deny her?
-If we decide to file Outland, would that still entitle her to stay with me for 6 months, and extending when necessary, while the process is happening? (I really don't understand the whole Inland/Outland, only that with. Inland she must stay in Canada for the duration of time and cannot appeal. Outland, she can come go and come as she please while the process is happening)
-One more thing: if we were to apply Outland, and my wife was visiting with me for 6 months, and say my wife needed to go to her American doctor, could she leave and then come back, or would the border give her a hassle? Or would their system show she has a Outland application in process and let her back in? Sorry if I'm confusing, I just want to be sure my wife gets her PR, as we have all proper documentation and such.

Thank you for any and all information. I have looked all the web and I would like some personal insight into this, it would really help!

 

[rhcohen2014]

1 - yes, having your wife in the uhaul full of household furniture and belongings will certainly cause a red flag. they will not deny you entry, because as a canadian citizen, you are allowed to move back to canada. They can deny her entry, if they think she is coming to canada to "live" with you. See, as us citizens, we are only allowed to "visit" our spouses, not actually "live" with them until we are give the proper authority from immigration. It is suggested she travel separately, carry the pr paperwork, your marriage certificate and any proof of ties to the us she has. The best proof of ties is a lease/mortgage and paystubs/work contract. If she has family in the states, and she no longer has a legal residence, it may be a good idea for her to ask them to draw up a standard lease so she has something to show she can go back to. They want to know she is following the rules, and doesn't think she is above the law by just moving to canada with her husband without the proper authority to do so.

2- its generally recommended for US citizens to apply outland rather than inland. This is because it takes half the amount of time to get approved. Generally speaking, if the application is straightforward, a us outland applicant can land in 8-10 months. Yes, she can stay in canada as a visitor while applying outland. She can even be in canada when the application is sent. She would cross the border, and ask for 6 mo. it's totally up to the border agent how long they allow her to stay, so be prepared they may not allow 6 mo. on the first shot. It may be helpful for her to pick a specific date to ask to stay through. They may question how she is able to leave the US for so long, and will ask about her work situation. If she doesn't work, it may be helpful to have bank statements or your recent paystubs/new work contract with her so she can prove either she has enough money for her stay or that you can support her while there. Their major concerns are going to be whether she plans to work illegally or overstay her visit.

What you can do after she gets in is apply for an extension of her visit, and ask for 6 mo or 1 year so she can stay for the duration of the processing. It is important to apply for an extension at least 30 days prior to the current visit expiring. Many people have proven to have success with staying in canada as a visitor during the entire time. There really doesn't seem to be any benefit for appying inland for US citizens. As an outland applicant, she is free to travel back and forth when ever she wants, and again, it's up to the border agent each time she enters how long they will authorize a stay. If an inland applicant leaves, and is denied re-entry, the entire application will be cancelled. There is no risk to this for an outland application. Definitely consider switching to an outland application.

 

[Smonro04]

1 - yes, having your wife in the uhaul full of household furniture and belongings will certainly cause a red flag. they will not deny you entry, because as a canadian citizen, you are allowed to move back to canada. They can deny her entry, if they think she is coming to canada to "live" with you. See, as us citizens, we are only allowed to "visit" our spouses, not actually "live" with them until we are give the proper authority from immigration. It is suggested she travel separately, carry the pr paperwork, your marriage certificate and any proof of ties to the us she has. The best proof of ties is a lease/mortgage and paystubs/work contract. If she has family in the states, and she no longer has a legal residence, it may be a good idea for her to ask them to draw up a standard lease so she has something to show she can go back to. They want to know she is following the rules, and doesn't think she is above the law by just moving to canada with her husband.

2- its generally recommended for US citizens to apply outland rather than inland. This is because it takes half the amount of time to get approved. Generally speaking, if the application is straightforward, a us outland applicant can land in 8-10 months. Yes, she can stay in canada as a visitor while applying outland. She can even be in canada when the application is sent. She would cross the border, and ask for 6 mo. it's totally up to the border agent how long they allow her to stay, so be prepared they may not allow 6 mo. on the first shot. What you can do after she gets in is apply for an extension of her visit, and ask for 6 mo or 1 year so she can stay for the duration of the processing. Many people have proven to have success with staying in canada as a visitor during the entire time. There really doesn't seem to be any benefit for appying inland for US citizens. As an outland applicant, she is free to travel back and forth when ever she wants, and again, it's up to the border agent each time she enters how long they will authorize a stay. If an inland applicant leaves, and is denied re-entry, the entire application will be cancelled. There is no risk to this for an outland application. Definitely consider switching to an outland application.

Thanks for the info. But the one question you didn't answer is if we apply Outland and she leaves and comes back, will the border hassle her or see on their screen she is applying?

Another point is that on another forum I was actually told to cross together with the application and let them know we are married, here is the application, she would like to stay with me while awaiting the decision. But you stated she come alone with the paperwork, which I would think, would seem a bit fishy, like where is your husband? Haha. Just a thought.

Thank you for the advise!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks for the info. But the one question you didn't answer is if we apply Outland and she leaves and comes back, will the border hassle her or see on their screen she is applying?

Another point is that on another forum I was actually told to cross together with the application and let them know we are married, here is the application, she would like to stay with me while awaiting the decision. But you stated she come alone with the paperwork, which I would think, would seem a bit fishy, like where is your husband? Haha. Just a thought.

Thank you for the advise!

yes I actually did answer the question:
"As an outland applicant, she is free to travel back and forth when ever she wants, and again, it's up to the border agent each time she enters how long they will authorize a stay." I personally can not tell you whether or not she will be hassled every time she crosses the border. That is specific to her situation, and the border agent she meets every time. From my own experience, they question me every time i cross, and in the beginning I was pulled into secondary regularly, and that is where they ask a lot more questions. When they pull her into secondary, this is when they start writing things in the system, and they will note her intentions to apply for PR. The more you cross, the more answers they already know, and they ask questions to hear consistent answers.

you are certainly able to try to have her cross with you with the paperwork. I would like to know which forum is telling you this is your best shot, because I can't imagine you received that advice on here. The fact is, the border agent has the final say as to what he allows her to do. It's far less risky for her to travel by herself. She is the one applying for PR, so it's best for HER to be carrying the paperwork and certainly they are going to question her residence and work situation in the US. Most likely she will have greater success in getting a longer stay than if she travels with you who is moving back to canada with all of his worldly possessions.

If they see her crossing with you who is moving back to canada, and she says she wants to stay for 6 mo while you work on the application, they are going to pull her into secondary and ask her a bunch of questions. They will certainly want to know about her residence and work situation in the US, and how she is able to stay in Canada for 6 mo. Quite honestly, they won't care about you, they will only care about her intentions. They will ask you to sit and wait while they question her if you are pulled into secondary. They won't question you together. I am not a CBSA agent, so I can't tell you for sure what's going to happen. All I know is from my own experience, and the stories I have read on this forum.

It's certainly not fishy to pull up to the border by herself and say she is visiting her husband, and she is working on the PR application. That is exactly what I do. They are going to assume her husband is in Canada since he's the one applying to sponsor her. It's more likely the spouse is already in canada, not in the US on a work visa. The applicant does not need to be escorted over the border by their sponsor. It's important to remember most PR applicants are NOT currently living with their spouse. In my experience, it has become easier for me to cross since we have applied for PR. I haven't been pulled into secondary since our application has been in process (knock on wood!).

There are also those people who are lucky, and are never questioned when they cross the border, who don't get pulled into secondary and don't get their passports stamped upon entry. Can this happen to your wife? Absolutely. Will this happen if she's traveling with you as you move back to Canada when you don't even have an application filed yet? Doubtful.

 

[Smonro04]

yes I actually did answer the question:
"As an outland applicant, she is free to travel back and forth when ever she wants, and again, it's up to the border agent each time she enters how long they will authorize a stay." I personally can not tell you whether or not she will be hassled every time she crosses the border. That is specific to her situation, and the border agent she meets every time. From my own experience, they question me every time i cross, and in the beginning I was pulled into secondary regularly, and that is where they ask a lot more questions. When they pull her into secondary, this is when they start writing things in the system, and they will note her intentions to apply for PR. The more you cross, the more answers they already know, and they ask questions to hear consistent answers.

you are certainly able to try to have her cross with you with the paperwork. I would like to know which forum is telling you this is your best shot, because I can't imagine you received that advice on here. The fact is, the border agent has the final say as to what he allows her to do. It's far less risky for her to travel by herself. She is the one applying for PR, so it's best for HER to be carrying the paperwork and certainly they are going to question her residence and work situation in the US. Most likely she will have greater success in getting a longer stay than if she travels with you who is moving back to canada with all of his worldly possessions.

If they see her crossing with you who is moving back to canada, and she says she wants to stay for 6 mo while you work on the application, they are going to pull her into secondary and ask her a bunch of questions. Quite honestly, they won't care about you, they will only care about her intentions. They will ask you to sit and wait while they question her if you are pulled into secondary. They won't question you together. I would bet if she travels with you, they would staple a visitor record in her passport, and give a specific date she has to leave by, and possibly make her check out on her way home so they can be sure she did not overstay.

It's certainly not fishy to pull up to the border by herself and say she is visiting her husband, and she is working on the PR application. That is exactly what I do. They are going to assume her husband is in Canada since he's the one applying to sponsor her. It's more likely the spouse is already in canada, not in the US on a work visa. The applicant does not need to be escorted over the border by their sponsor. It's important to remember most PR applicants are NOT currently living with their spouse. In my experience, it has become easier for me to cross since we have applied for PR. I haven't been pulled into secondary since our application has been in process (knock on wood!).

Thanks again for the response. Sorry, I didn't read your response correctly the first time, I see now you answered the question. As for the forum that told me to go with her it wasn't this one, but I have read similiar situations to where the husband goes over the border with his wife with intent on applying for PR, they are both questioned, and then let through.

I just want to make sure we are doing the best thing for her to be able to come over the border with me. As I stated, I've read on this forum, other husbands who bring their wives along with them, they have the paperwork and are up front with the border, telling them their intent and they are let through. I have yet to read a bad experience in this situation of crossing together.

I think I will have my mother and father come down with their horse trailer and bring my stuff back over the border. That way our car will have her clothes only, so they don't suspect anything even though the possessions are mine. Can't seem to take that chance...or I may put the things into storage.

Anyways, I thank you for your response, you seem to know this process rather personally. I have gone back and forth over the border a few times since acquiring my work visa, so I'm not sure how that plays in, haha.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks again for the response. Sorry, I didn't read your response correctly the first time, I see now you answered the question. As for the forum that told me to go with her it wasn't this one, but I have read similiar situations to where the husband goes over the border with his wife with intent on applying for PR, they are both questioned, and then let through.

I just want to make sure we are doing the best thing for her to be able to come over the border with me. As I stated, I've read on this forum, other husbands who bring their wives along with them, they have the paperwork and are up front with the border, telling them their intent and they are let through. I have yet to read a bad experience in this situation of crossing together.

I think I will have my mother and father come down with their horse trailer and bring my stuff back over the border. That way our car will have her clothes only, so they don't suspect anything even though the possessions are mine. Can't seem to take that chance...or I may put the things into storage.

Anyways, I thank you for your response, you seem to know this process rather personally. I have gone back and forth over the border a few times since acquiring my work visa, so I'm not sure how that plays in, haha.

you are going to need to declare the items you are bringing into canada, so you may want to ask on this forum how that works if your parents are driving it back.

That's great you have read stories about people who have been successful with bringing their wives into canada while they move all of their belongings back, and tell the agent they are intending on applying for PR. I'd love to hear those stories, as i feel those are the minority. there are certainly people on here who have had nightmare stories at the border. remember it's totally dependant on the border agent and their mood in the moment, so there's no telling what's going to happen until you get there. the most important thing is to be truthful about what your plans are. if they see you are attempting to follow the rules, you may not encounter any problems at all. Definitely keep us updated on your success with your move!

BTW... what's the other forum you've been reading?

 

[Smonro04]

you are going to need to declare the items you are bringing into canada, so you may want to ask on this forum how that works if your parents are driving it back.

That's great you have read stories about people who have been successful with bringing their wives into canada while they move all of their belongings back, and tell the agent they are intending on applying for PR. I'd love to hear those stories, as i feel those are the minority. there are certainly people on here who have had nightmare stories at the border. remember it's totally dependant on the border agent and their mood in the moment, so there's no telling what's going to happen until you get there. you may not encounter any problems at all, so definitely keep us updated on your success with your move!

BTW... what's the other forum you've been reading?

Here is one post I am reading on this forum. Kind of the "same" as my situation and the advise given is to come together. I can't find the other one I was reading, but it was similiar, except for the moving all my crap along as well.

It's actually not letting me post a "link" but the situation is the same except all the crap they are bringing is her stuff. The person replying says that they are to cross together, have the application ready to go with fees paid, tell border this is my US wife and she would like to stay with me while awaiting the PR application to go through. Advisor says that they will be taken into secondary, again tell them this is US wife, etc etc. They then ask for proper documentation, usually the application or marriage certificate is enough. After the log thread the original poster says they are in Canada and had no issues.


I do believe that when we cross I will storage it and then come back for it by myself, just to save the hassle of all that.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Here is one post I am reading on this forum. Kind of the "same" as my situation and the advise given is to come together. I can't find the other one I was reading, but it was similiar, except for the moving all my crap along as well.

It's actually not letting me post a "link" but the situation is the same except all the crap they are bringing is her stuff. The person replying says that they are to cross together, have the application ready to go with fees paid, tell border this is my US wife and she would like to stay with me while awaiting the PR application to go through. Advisor says that they will be taken into secondary, again tell them this is US wife, etc etc. They then ask for proper documentation, usually the application or marriage certificate is enough. After the log thread the original poster says they are in Canada and had no issues.


I do believe that when we cross I will storage it and then come back for it by myself, just to save the hassle of all that.

right, the main point being they didn't travel with a uhaul or moving truck with a houseful of belongings. that is where your plan differed. i am surprised they let her in if she brought all of her things. i'm assuming her stuff was not in a big truck. that is typically the biggest red flag at the border - even if there is a PR application in process.
that post is absolutely correct. She needs to carry the pr paperwork, marriage certificate, any fees already paid (Which is recommended to do before crossing - it doens't matter when the fees are paid prior to submitting). This will prove proper intentions. The border agent will like that. Its always good to show proof of ties to the us, even though her intentions are to stay there for the duration of the process. I don't think the border agents can give her a pass for more than 6 mo. She will need to apply for an extension to stay longer than that. Best of luck!

 

[Smonro04]

right, the main point being they didn't travel with a uhaul or moving truck with a houseful of belongings. that is where your plan differed. i am surprised they let her in if she brought all of her things. i'm assuming her stuff was not in a big truck. that is typically the biggest red flag at the border - even if there is a PR application in process.
that post is absolutely correct. She needs to carry the pr paperwork, marriage certificate, any fees already paid (Which is recommended to do before crossing - it doens't matter when the fees are paid prior to submitting). This will prove proper intentions. The border agent will like that. Its always good to show proof of ties to the us, even though her intentions are to stay there for the duration of the process. I don't think the border agents can give her a pass for more than 6 mo. She will need to apply for an extension to stay longer than that. Best of luck!

She didn't end up bringing her things, which was a uhual of stuff, haha! They ended up putting it into storage for a later pick up after PR was granted.

I think we will do just that. Cross together, be upfront, have the paper work ready, the fees paid and see what happens. I don't think it will be a problem if I don't have all my stuff tagging along. If anything, if she is denied entry, I will enter by myself and she can try again in a week or so by herself as you suggested earlier, telling the border she is coming to visit me while awaiting PR application to go through. Thanks a lot for your responses.

 

[Smonro04]

right, the main point being they didn't travel with a uhaul or moving truck with a houseful of belongings. that is where your plan differed. i am surprised they let her in if she brought all of her things. i'm assuming her stuff was not in a big truck. that is typically the biggest red flag at the border - even if there is a PR application in process.
that post is absolutely correct. She needs to carry the pr paperwork, marriage certificate, any fees already paid (Which is recommended to do before crossing - it doens't matter when the fees are paid prior to submitting). This will prove proper intentions. The border agent will like that. Its always good to show proof of ties to the us, even though her intentions are to stay there for the duration of the process. I don't think the border agents can give her a pass for more than 6 mo. She will need to apply for an extension to stay longer than that. Best of luck!

I forgot to mention that i think it would be best to cross together as I haven't applied to be a sponsor yet. We will have both my sponsor application and her PR application with us at the crossing of the border. If that makes much of a difference. I think it would be assanine for her to cross by herself with the application when I haven't been approved as a sponsor yet. We want to send the applications in together, as the CIC website suggests.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

We want to send the applications in together, as the CIC website suggests.

Not "suggests"; they MUST go together.

Why don't you submit the outland app now from the US?

 

[Smonro04]

Not "suggests"; they MUST go together.

Why don't you submit the outland app now from the US?

If we were to send it in now I am still in the USA...can I still send out the application even though we are both in the USA right now?

Also, if I send in the application, would we still be able to cross together if we don't have the application in hand to show proof? Or is the receipt of payment of fees and the marriage certificate enough?

Also, my wife's police certificate is under her maiden name, will that still be approved? If not, we would definately have to wait for her to get a new police certificate while in Canada together.

Thank you for your response

 

[rhcohen2014]

I forgot to mention that i think it would be best to cross together as I haven't applied to be a sponsor yet. We will have both my sponsor application and her PR application with us at the crossing of the border. If that makes much of a difference. I think it would be assanine for her to cross by herself with the application when I haven't been approved as a sponsor yet. We want to send the applications in together, as the CIC website suggests.

i don't know why you assume it will be "assanine" for her to cross by herself with HER application for PR. Like I said, canada doesn't care about your intentions, they care about HERS. Both applications must go together in the same package. The sponsor is not responsible for filling out the applicant's application, that is the responsibility of the applicant. Technically speaking, CIC thinks the sponsor fills out his part, and the applicant fills out her part, and the applicant SENDS the sponsor her application so the sponsor can send it into CIC. I cross the border BY MYSELF most of the time, as do a lot of people on this forum in US/Canadian relationships. When we were filling out the application, i had it with me. Now that it's been submitted, I carry a copy of it. I have crossed 2-3 times BY MYSELF while our application has been in process before receiving SA, and many MANY more times BY MYSELF before getting married or submitting our application. Your theory of her not being able to cross without you because you haven't been approved as a sponsor yet is certainly not based on real life experience.

I'm really not getting your thinking, as it seems quite antiquated as if your wife needs you to escort her across the border at all times to prove that you are responsibile for her. She doesn't. This is 2014, not 1914. We are free to travel by ourselves when we want to without our husbands escorting us and talking for us. Like I said, CBSA is not going to care about you at all if you cross together. When they question HER, most likely they will ask you to sit down so that SHE is the one answering the questions. You are the canadian citizen, you are free to travel in your country as you wish (within the legal limits). She is a US citizen who does not have the right to just travel in canada without proper authorization even though she is married to a canadian. CBSA is going to be skeptical enough if you are with her when you are telling them you are moving back to canada after a certain number of years of living with her in the US (Even if you don't have your belongings). If you get a border agent that doesn't question her intentions and her ties to the US or send her into secondary after hearing that... please tell me the border entrance and agent name so I can be sure to look for them every time i cross.

 

[rhcohen2014]

If we were to send it in now I am still in the USA...can I still send out the application even though we are both in the USA right now?

Also, if I send in the application, would we still be able to cross together if we don't have the application in hand to show proof? Or is the receipt of payment of fees and the marriage certificate enough?

Also, my wife's police certificate is under her maiden name, will that still be approved? If not, we would definately have to wait for her to get a new police certificate while in Canada together.

Thank you for your response

yes, you can send it in now while you are in the us. Just make sure to put your new canadian address as your contact. Just like an applicant can be in canada while it's being submitted, a canadian citizen who is applying to be a sponsor can be out of canada while it's submitted. Obviously you make a copy of the application for your own records before you send it into CIC so that your wife has a copy whenever she crosses.

As for the police certificate, i'm guessing it needs to be in the same name that is on her passport. The name on the passport is what they go by, so if her passport is in her maiden name, so is her FBI record. If her passport is in her married name, then it's suggested you get one with her married name on it. I'm pretty sure on the application it asks if there are any other names the person is known to go by, so one would think you would have written both her married and maiden names.

 

[QuebecOkie]

As others have said, you can file outland right now, with you still in the US. You'll have to show proof of your plan to return to Canada, which will be easy with your job offer (detail your plan to return, where you'll work - include proof of job offer, where you'll live - include a lease or mortgage if you already have it, or proof that you've been dealing with a real estate agent looking for a place, or a letter from a family member if you will be staying with them in the beginning, etc.). I'm a U.S. citizen married to a Canadian citizen, and I regretted the decision to apply inland. (I hadn't found this forum yet, and I thought we were "lying" if I filed outland while being in Canada.) I felt very trapped because I didn't feel it was worth the risk to visit family, and I was alone here (in Québec, in a part where they speak almost no English, and I didn't have any French yet) for about half of our first year while he was away on a couple of courses.

With an outland app, she can travel freely without risking her application. However, any time she exits Canada, there is a risk of being denied reentry. Where an outland app is better, in the case of being denied entry to Canada, is that the app is not threatened as a result. If denied reentry to Canada with an inland app in progress, the app is considered abandoned, and you have to start over again (and this time, you get to explain the denial). Unfortunately, as others have said, there's really not a magical formula to guarantee success. It depends on the border agent she encounters. I'll share my only experience of crossing the border (I flew in and out once prior, but we were traveling together on a round-trip ticket from my home state when we were looking for a home to buy) when we moved here.

We had not yet submitted a PR application and had no paperwork related to a PR app. We were carrying our passports, marriage certificate, and a manifest from the professional moving company that was bringing all of our belongings about a week later. We were driving my husband's small sports car, so we had only a couple of suitcases (and a tiny sports-car trunk FULL of booze - hubby brought back NINE bottles of Crown XR). We were really pretty clueless at the time. I had no proof of my ties to Oklahoma (there really weren't any, besides friends and family, as I'd quit my job, closed my bank account, etc.). We had a very weak "cover story." I was riding up with him to share the driving and help him get settled when our belongings arrived, then, when we found out when his course would start, we were planning to buy a one-way ticket for me back to Oklahoma, where I would stay with family while an outland PR application was in progress.

We arrived at the Thousand Islands Bridge/Lansdowne border crossing. I don't know what "pulled into secondary" means, exactly, but we were asked to go up to the Customs and Immigration building there. We knew we would have to, as hubby had booze to declare and the manifest from the movers. So we went in, and hubby went to a Customs agent while I was sent, by myself, to an Immigration agent. I suppose I lucked out, as he was a very kind older gentleman, in every way reinforcing the stereotype of the considerate, polite Canadian. He asked me some questions, how long I was planning to stay, etc. I told him our "story," *most* of which was true. Hubby was posted back to Canada, to a base in Québec, after being posted in OK for four years. We knew my husband would leave Québec for Ontario for a nearly five-month course just a few weeks after his arrival, but we wouldn't get his exact course dates until we arrived at his new posting and he talked to the folks at the base. I was going up with the hubby to help him with the driving on the long trip, get the house settled after his arrival, and put together an outland PR application for me. Once we had his course dates, I would book a flight back to OK to be with family while he was on his course and my outland app was in progress. He said, "THAT was what I needed to hear you say," (referencing that I would return to OK). He stamped my passport and said to me, "That will give you six months, and if you just ask politely, you can have another six after that." I can't remember if he *actually* winked at me, or if I added that wink in my mind afterwards, but it felt very much like he was conspiring a bit with me, that he knew I was MOVING with the hubby, which isn't allowed, but that I had the right answers for him to let me get away with it. He offered a further bit of advice. "I'm not allowed to advise you on immigration issues. That could put my job at risk. So I'm definitely NOT doing that. But if I were to have some advice for you, it would probably be that you absolutely do no need a lawyer to help with your app. I'd probably say that you and your husband can definitely do that on your own by going to the Immigration website." I smiled at the sweet gentleman and assured him I was NOT hearing what he was NOT saying loud and clear. :-D

It actually took my husband a lot longer in Customs, as the agent there...well, let's say there may have been sharper knives in other drawers. He had a huge amount of trouble with my husband "importing" his car. It was not being imported. It was a Canadian car my husband purchased IN CANADA in 2008 before the move to Oklahoma. It took about 20 minutes of wrangling over that before the agent (after twice calculating the tax he believed my husband owed on the car) finally went out to the car to look at the VIN (not sure if it's still a VIN in Canada? the car's serial number) and finally seemed to get it through his head that all taxes owed were paid when the car was purchased. IN CANADA. Also, hubby had to go through the entire manifest and assign dollar values, as we hadn't done that with the movers, so that took awhile. As an interesting side note, he declared the 9 bottles of booze (which had been a point of mild contention between us, as I'd tallied up the duties he's have to pay on them, not to mention that nine boxed bottles of booze take up MOST of a tiny sports car's trunk, and we were on a 3000km trip in that car), and he was not charged for them. I guess becaused he'd lived in the States for 4 years, so they considered that a reasonable amount to have acquired in that time.