I am a US Citizen who's primary residence is in Massachusetts near Boston. I also own a 2 bedroom unit in a strata in Whistler BC. I have owned it for about 11 years. I work for a company at an office in Massachusetts from May through October and they let me telecommute November through April. I have spent the last 7 winters in Whistler on the standard Visitor Visa. For my current stay I entered Canada on October 30, 2012 by car at the Border crossing in Blaine WA. I was planning to leave at the end of April before I was here 6 months. I got a great deal on a Cruise to Alaska leaving from Vancouver on May 1 and returning to Vancouver on May 8. I did not realize when I booked the Cruise that the 6 months was continuous and not per Calendar year.
I could apply for a extension but it would not be approved before I leave on the cruise and I might have trouble being readmitted when the Ship returns to Vancouver. I am only returning to Vancouver to pick up my car and start my trip back to Massachusetts for the summer. I will only be in Canada a few hours.
My other option would be to leave Canada before I am here 6 months, say around April 25 so that when I return on April 30 it is just to stay overnight in Van and leave on the cruise the next day. I will have my Cruise ticket to show I am leaving Canada the next day.
To further complicate matters I made two short trips to the US recently to drop off some friends at the Airport in Bellingham, WA and pick them back up. I have a Nexus card but because my friends are from Czech Republic and here on a Temporary Work Visa we had to go through regular immigration. We were sent to secondary inspection and they got really concerned that I was living in Canada Illegally because I am in Canada so much and did not have any real proof that I was really a Massachusetts resident. They checked all my entries and exits which showed I was not staying in Canada more then 6 months but they said that was not good enough because I cold be sneaking across the border as well. They told me they marked my file and the next time I try to enter Canada I need to provide proof like pay stubs and bills I am paying in Massachusetts.
So I am really concerned that when I leave to avoid overstaying my 6 month stay they may not let me back in and I will miss my cruise.
I am thinking that when I leave at the end of April I could stop in Canadian Immigration and provide the proof that I really work in and I am paid in the US (I have already obtained a letter from my companies HR verifying my employment and that I am allowed to work from Whistler in the Winter).
I have tried to call the Immigration Help Line but I cannot seem to get through to a person. When i finally answer enough automated questions to have it agree to put me through to a agent it hangs up on me.
I would like to go to Immigration in Vancouver to resolve my status but I believe they will not talk to me without an appointment.
So is my plan on leaving before my cruise, stopping at the border to resolve my residence and come back for the cruise the day before (in case I get hung up at the border) my best option.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I could apply for a extension but it would not be approved before I leave on the cruise and I might have trouble being readmitted when the Ship returns to Vancouver. I am only returning to Vancouver to pick up my car and start my trip back to Massachusetts for the summer. I will only be in Canada a few hours.
My other option would be to leave Canada before I am here 6 months, say around April 25 so that when I return on April 30 it is just to stay overnight in Van and leave on the cruise the next day. I will have my Cruise ticket to show I am leaving Canada the next day.
To further complicate matters I made two short trips to the US recently to drop off some friends at the Airport in Bellingham, WA and pick them back up. I have a Nexus card but because my friends are from Czech Republic and here on a Temporary Work Visa we had to go through regular immigration. We were sent to secondary inspection and they got really concerned that I was living in Canada Illegally because I am in Canada so much and did not have any real proof that I was really a Massachusetts resident. They checked all my entries and exits which showed I was not staying in Canada more then 6 months but they said that was not good enough because I cold be sneaking across the border as well. They told me they marked my file and the next time I try to enter Canada I need to provide proof like pay stubs and bills I am paying in Massachusetts.
So I am really concerned that when I leave to avoid overstaying my 6 month stay they may not let me back in and I will miss my cruise.
I am thinking that when I leave at the end of April I could stop in Canadian Immigration and provide the proof that I really work in and I am paid in the US (I have already obtained a letter from my companies HR verifying my employment and that I am allowed to work from Whistler in the Winter).
I have tried to call the Immigration Help Line but I cannot seem to get through to a person. When i finally answer enough automated questions to have it agree to put me through to a agent it hangs up on me.
I would like to go to Immigration in Vancouver to resolve my status but I believe they will not talk to me without an appointment.
So is my plan on leaving before my cruise, stopping at the border to resolve my residence and come back for the cruise the day before (in case I get hung up at the border) my best option.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!