Visiting While Processing

[Pharoh]

Greetings,

I've considered the idea of coming up to Canada from the States while my Outland app is being processed, in order to be with my wife. In order to do so, I would need to leave my job. As my job is somewhat important to us at the moment, for obvious fiscal reasons, I'd likely wait for a couple of months (e.g. until January), and then leave work and stay in Canada, until Buffalo is done taking their time. I'd hope to not have to file a visitor extension while in Canada, and to have it all done within 6 months.

Anyways, whenever I cross the border and am being interrogated by the border patrol, they always ask "what do you do, where do you work, etc". They want to know that I'll be required to return home after so many days, or face being fired.

If I leave my job (which I'd have to) in order to be with my wife, and I tell the border people I'm unemployed (and thus, have no reason to immediately return to the States), won't they freak out? I've heard it's best to say you're coming for a few days, and then cancel your return ticket and reschedule the return flight if you're unable to file an extension after six months. Is this the way to go? Is it a bad plan to book a one-way ticket, and tell the border people "My application for PR is being processed. I'll leave within six months, if I cannot get an extension."?

Please advise.

 

[Pharoh]

*bump*

Do I tell them I'm unemployed? Am I able to say I plan to wait out PR under implied status? How do you best handle this?

 

[Dayanara]

My hubby and I did this in September.

We went across together so that probably helped. But I will tell you what we brought.

-copy of our application
-proof of fees paid
-proof of funds to support himself for a few months
-a letter from his employer stating they would re-hire him if he had to come back
-copy of his lease (which was over at the end of September)

Now, what did they look at? Our passports and asked when we had filed the application and that is it. Let him on through. I did the majority of the talking. We also let them know that he would be coming back to the states at Xmas time to visit his family.

Now we had also moved all his posessions already over 1-2 months time frame with each visit and he sold all his furniture. So when he crossed he had a laptop and one suitcase of clothes (granted they did not even pop open the trunk). But I am sure if we showed up with a car full of stuff it may have been a bit harder.

 

[kalew2010]

Hi there! It shouldn't be a problem. My husband came up here a few weeks ago and at the border (we crossed at Sarnia) they just asked
1. what he did (recently unemployed to come be with me)
2. where he was going (our apartment in Toronto)
3. how he intended to support himself (savings and I have a good job)
4. how long he was staying (waiting for PPR and decision on PR application)

We showed all of our documents that proved we were in process and you may also be asked to show proof of funds. My husband was given a 3month Temporary Resident Visa but you can get longer (we had also mentioned that we would be returning to the US once the PPR came to land as a PR or if still waiting on this we would go to the US over the Christmas holidays). I think if we hadn't stated about Christmas he could have a 6month but once here you can also get an extension if necessary. My advice is to be prepared to show documentation etc. and make sure you aren't looking like you will stay in Canada indefinitely regardless of the decision (ie travel with household items and similar). Had to pull to the side and go inside to be questioned but this is only due to the fact the border guard suggested he get a visitor's visa so he had some type of status since he was staying for some time. Otherwise it was smooth sailing!

Hope this helps!

 

[Pharoh]

Thanks for both of your responses! That makes me feel a lot better. I'm going to make an exact replica of my application, prior to us sending it in in a couple of weeks, so if I decide to wait it out with my spouse, we'll have everything ready to show the border people. She would also likely fly down to be with me, when crossing the border.