"visiting" from visa exempt country while application is processed

[minna]

So, because I am pregnant and due in January and due to the recent rule changes for citizenship by descent, we are now considering moving me to Vancouver before my partner's application is processed, so that I can qualify for healthcare in BC before the baby is due and we can avoid the hassle of bringing the baby to Canada as a PR.

Our current plan would require us to drive up to Vancouver, and declare my stuff to return home (and get the dog through immigration - he can't fly out of Florida in the summer due to heat restrictions on pet travel).

What evidence would my partner need to provide in order to enter Canada with me when I arrive? Aside from a passport etc. We have joint bank accounts, and absolutely understand he would not be able to work until his visa is approved.

I know that it is never a good idea to lie when crossing the border, but would he be more likely to be allowed into Canada if he is "a friend helping me drive up" (this is a truth, if not THE truth) as opposed to my partner who would like to stay in Vancouver with me during my pregnancy and while is application is processed?? I'm sure it depends on the agent at the border, but how hard is it to get in with dual intent? I just dont' want to set up a situation where I have to leave him behind at the border crossing, miles from home, and without any recourse or options, you know?

Would it be easier if we crossed separately?? - I could, for example, drop him off at the bus station to take a bus into Vancouver while I go through customs. Then he could truthfully say he is coming to town to visit his girlfriend.... Or am I just overthinking all of this...

Anyone have advice or suggestions??

 

[michaelab]

I am on the same boat. Will he be visiting til your baby is born or PR is approved?

However I have crossed several times with our baby. I simply told them I was visiting the baby's daddy. Maybe he can say he's just visiting you and your family in Canada for the summer to go camping or whatever you guys are planning on to do with each other there?

Not sure if your crossing with him will help or hurt. In my previous experience they had given me a harder time when I told them "I was visiting the friends"...not sure why. It was weird cus no matter if it was just a weekend or a week, my answer was not good enough!

Would they know if we have a PR is in process?? I am curious how much do they know by swiping the pasport.

 

[minna]

yeah, I am curious of this too - I just really want to avoid showing up at the border with him, the dog and all my stuff in the car, and them telling him he can't come in. I don't know what we would do -- we'd be driving from Florida!!

I mean, if he comes in without me, he can say anything he wants - I'm visiting friends/girlfriend/etc.

We'd love it if he could stay until the PR is processed, but likely won't say that at the border, out of fear of being rejected. We figure if he gets into the country, he likely will be ok for 6 months, and then we can apply to extend his visit if need be (but hopefully that would not be required).

It's just that I can't drive from Florida to Vancouver alone, 4-5 months pregnant with all my crap and the dog, you know?? I need him - I don't really have anyone else to ask to drive across country with me. I can't fly with the dog because of heat restrictions, and I'd rather bring the dog with me asap, because my partner tends to work crazy hours and often 6 days a week - and the dog would just be alone constantly...

I just don't like the idea of lying "oh, he's just here to help me bring my stuff, and then he'll leave" even though he could probably get his boss to write a letter saying that they've given him a leave from work for several months, even if his boss knows that he likely will not be coming back...

This part stresses me out more than the application for PR!!

 

[jmni1]

The best option for a smooth transition at the border would be to arrive late at night. Bring proof of funds that you have in the bank, any other ties your partner has to the u.s. I entered Canada by car by myself and told the Immigration Officer that I wanted to visit my fiance for 6 months. I was then directed inside to get a visitor record. The IO asked me if I was planning on getting married and if I had an application in process. I said yes we were getting married and that I had done the medical. backround checks, and had payed the fees. He wished me good luck gave me the visitor record and wrote on the document that I as visiting my fiance and has an application in process. He only asked me for the address where I would be staying.
So just be honest and you should be fine. the IO didn't look in my car or any other documents I brought with (proof of fees paid, bank records, ect.) I crossed the border at midnight at the Salte saint marie crossing.

 

[plumosa]

Would they know if we have a PR is in process?? I am curious how much do they know by swiping the pasport.

I don't know about just from swiping a passport, but I know that they have no idea you're in process for immigration until at least the sponsorship is approved! As I found out while trying to get my 2nd visitor's record. Luckily I had proof of funds/insurance so they gave me a nice long 7 months!

 

[minna]

thanks - I think we'll be at the Peace Arch crossing, but maybe at another crossing between BC and Washington, depending on what route we take, I guess.

We will have already submitted our application by the time we cross. Actually ,we were kind of hoping to wait to leave Florida until we know that the sponsorship has been approved - but maybe that is not the best idea?? We theoretically could pick up and move relatively quickly since we will only be bringing whatever we can fit in the car, and won't be selling the house until after the PR is approved, just in case...We would just pack up and put stuff in storage until we got settled...

It just makes me nervous!! One option that we might take is to drop him off so that he is not in the car while I "move back" and deal with customs and the dog, etc. My mom or my sister might come down, then, and pick him up near the border so he can come in for a visit without the added scrutiny of accompanying a visibly pregnant woman who's moving back...I would certainly doubt that he was planning on leaving a very pregnant partner and his dog in Vancouver and returning to Florida alone if I were the border officer...

 

[sogwap]

I assume you are a Canadian Citizen, and your "partner" is a US citizen?
Are you married?

Assuming he has never had a problem before in crossing the border. Basic rules should apply.
First and foremost, he is coming as a visitor. His permanent address is in the States. And if he is planning to stay the entire six months a Visitor Record is in order. They may ask about his job, and how he will support himself.

 

[minna]

no - he has never had a problem visiting before. But we've never tried to visit long-term before. Do you just request a visitor record from the border agent, or just assume that being allowed to enter at all is good for 6 months...

we are not married - we are applying as common-law partners. and yes, i am canadian and he is american (well, actually, I have dual citizenship, both US and Canada)

 

[jmni1]

I did not ask for a visitor record, they just told me to go inside to get one. It is better to have one then u have proof of when you entered canada. when I visited for 2 weeks before that time they never even stamped my passport. also the visitor record gives you a client ID number, I assume it is easier to request an extension if u have the visitor record. My IO even gave me 6 1/2 months and asked if that would be long enough. I said thankyou and that would be fine, I can always extend it if I need to.

 

[Canuckgirl]

Have a look at this thread and what I (and others) wrote there, if you haven't already:
canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/visitng-canada-til-pr-is-approved-and-extending-visit-t43038.0.html

My fiance is from Florida as well, and we flew to Seattle together, then drove up to the Douglas Crossing. I was extremely anxious as well, but it turned out to be very easy since we kept it simple and honest.

 

[minna]

thank you!! I will check out that thread - I had searched the forum, but it's hard to figure out the right combination of words to get the actual previous threads!

 

[michaelab]

hehe I was the original poster for the thread and I also had posted one more similar thread after that (link below)

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-to-canada-while-pr-is-in-process-t45636.0.html

 

[iarblue]

The more truthfull you are the less you will get caught in a lie.Tell them the truth you have an app in progress for his PR and he is just coming up to get a bit more use to living in Canada.He is going to have some fun with friends and family,and that you understand he may be given a max of 6 months or less and he either has to leave or apply for an extension,the more you show you understand the law of the visitor the more they are apt to give you the visitor record or stamp your passport for a 6 month stay.
Make sure you bring all your proof of applying for the PR,and just show he has money to take care of himself while he is here,US citizens coming to Canada is a pretty simple process,and are rarely turned away.
Just have it together when you come dont lie be truthfull,then they cant catch you in one,if they catch you in a lie it will not only effect you coming back and forth but may also effect your PR.

 

[minna]

This is a good point. I am sure I am way more nervous about this than I need to be. We have crossed the border many times before, but somehow it feels like this time will be all or nothing, even though that is not the case. It is very unlikely that he won't be allowed into Canada, but more likely that they might not let him stay long. As long as they let him in, we can apply for extension. And, I guess the worst case scenario, we can try again at another crossing or hope to get a different agent .

thanks for the advice, everyone!