"visitng" Canada til PR is approved and extending visit

[michaelab]

hello everyone,

I am from the States and I am driving up to Canada to be with my husband until PR is approved. We have a baby togehter and we do not want to be apart more than we have already (the babies grow up too fast as we all know). I understand that if they do not stamp our passports with the certain date, we have 6 months to stay even we tell them we are just staying for # weeks right? I am concerned what if the PR process takes longer than 6 months. How and when should I extend my visit and prove to them when I arrived to Canada if there was no stamp on my passport?

I am just waiting for FBI certificate (applied on Apr. 20ish) to arrive before I can file for outland PR thru Buffalo. Medical has been done. Obtained State and other police certificates (w/ no criminal background). I would like to send the application as soon as the FBI certificate arrives.

 

[plumosa]

hello everyone,

I am from the States and I am driving up to Canada to be with my husband until PR is approved. We have a baby togehter and we do not want to be apart more than we have already (the babies grow up too fast as we all know). I understand that if they do not stamp our passports with the certain date, we have 6 months to stay even we tell them we are just staying for # weeks right? I am concerned what if the PR process takes longer than 6 months. How and when should I extend my visit and prove to them when I arrived to Canada if there was no stamp on my passport?

I am just waiting for FBI certificate (applied on Apr. 20ish) to arrive before I can file for outland PR thru Buffalo. Medical has been done. Obtained State and other police certificates (w/ no criminal background). I would like to send the application as soon as the FBI certificate arrives.

crossing the border alone with the baby will probably cause you to get pulled aside. I believe you need a signed note from the father (even to bring the child back to him in canada) You should bring all of your receipts from the medical, the certificates, proof of funds while you'll be in Canada and perhaps even proof of health insurance if you want things to go smoothly. Honestly, I would be very upfront about what you are doing in Canada. If you can bring all the things I mentioned, they will most likely give you a long visitor's record that goes in your passport. It will have an expiry date, but you can renew it by mail (though it takes a long time) or you can just go back to the border and they'll give you a new one directly there.

My husband and I crossed back to Canada immediately after we eloped in Vermont and told them our intentions. We did have a bit of a hassle because we didn't have proof of funds or health insurance (though we had the receipts) They gave us a short, 45 day visitor's record and told us that we had to come by with proof of funds/insurance. We did that and they gave me one good for 7ish months. So save yourself the trouble and have everything when you cross.

 

[plumosa]

and of course, proof of marriage as well! forgot that one oops!

 

[michaelab]

crossing the border alone with the baby will probably cause you to get pulled aside. I believe you need a signed note from the father (even to bring the child back to him in canada) You should bring all of your receipts from the medical, the certificates, proof of funds while you'll be in Canada and perhaps even proof of health insurance if you want things to go smoothly. Honestly, I would be very upfront about what you are doing in Canada. If you can bring all the things I mentioned, they will most likely give you a long visitor's record that goes in your passport. It will have an expiry date, but you can renew it by mail (though it takes a long time) or you can just go back to the border and they'll give you a new one directly there.

My husband and I crossed back to Canada immediately after we eloped in Vermont and told them our intentions. We did have a bit of a hassle because we didn't have proof of funds or health insurance (though we had the receipts) They gave us a short, 45 day visitor's record and told us that we had to come by with proof of funds/insurance. We did that and they gave me one good for 7ish months. So save yourself the trouble and have everything when you cross.

I have crossed with the baby (father is Canadian) w/ her American passport along with her American birth certificate 3 times already and have never been sent to secondary (yet *gasp*) They only asked if the baby's father is Canadian or not lol.

I have a big brief case full of documents that I carry to Canada just in case..its so nerve wrecking..but the funny thing is that even though they ask really weird questions at times they have never asked me to provide the proof. I am very thankful for that since *before* the baby when I used to cross I got sent to secondary everytime!! ugh.

 

[michaelab]

One more thing..if I tell them at the border that I want to "visit" until my PR is approved, wouldn't I have more chance of getting denied to cross? I will not lie but I don't want to risk myself from turned away by spilling my guts about my future intention either. I have always told IO when I cross I am crossing to spend time with the baby's father. They never ask me if we are married (even now we are married)..but before we got married one officer asked me if we were going to get married..he still let me cross after I told him "not sure.. we will have to see how things go".

Can someone tell me how to apply for an temp visa extention when I have no stamp on my passport (I only drive to cross the border)??

Thanks!!

 

[jmni1]

I crossed the border by my car on May 12 and I told the border officer that I wanted to visit my fiance for 6 months. I got sent to secondary screening to get a visitor record. I was given 6 1/2months. They asked me if I was getting married I said yes, they also asked if I was going to file for PR I said yes. Told him I had paid the fees, done medical, and backround checks. He gave me no problems. The only thing I was aksed for was the address of my fiance where I would be staying. It is best to get the visitor record so that you have the proof that you entered. Also I crossed at 10pm at the Slt Saint Marie crossing in Michigan.
Hope this helps. Also like others said having proof of funds in a bank account would be useful. I was not asked for it, but I had the proof with me.

 

[michaelab]

I crossed the border by my car on May 12 and I told the border officer that I wanted to visit my fiance for 6 months. I got sent to secondary screening to get a visitor record. I was given 6 1/2months. They asked me if I was getting married I said yes, they also asked if I was going to file for PR I said yes. Told him I had paid the fees, done medical, and backround checks. He gave me no problems. The only thing I was aksed for was the address of my fiance where I would be staying. It is best to get the visitor record so that you have the proof that you entered. Also I crossed at 10pm at the Slt Saint Marie crossing in Michigan.
Hope this helps. Also like others said having proof of funds in a bank account would be useful. I was not asked for it, but I had the proof with me.

I might have to do like you did and go to secondary (*gasp*x100000) and pray that I won't be denied the entry. I just wonder if anyone has been denied to enter after telling IO the PR application is in progress? I will not have my husband with me when I cross either.

I am so scared to be sent to secondary since they tend to ask really weird questions and look at me like I am a criminal! (I have never been in a trouble in my life). Thats why each time I crossed the boarder after having a baby I crossed in the middle of the night plus driving w/ a baby is harder if not done at night. Thanks for your reply

 

[jmni1]

I would not stress too much. I think I even worried too much. After crossing the border I started to think about the fact that since the U.S. and Canada share such a big border that it is very common for people to date/marry people with one person being from each country. I think that being from the U.S. we have an easier time crossing the border than most people. Also since Canada does not allow you to bring a fiancé to Canada how do they expect you to come without visiting. It would be nice if the laws were different but as long as you are honest and have the proof with you I would not expect any problems. You are not trying to hide anything just to be with your husband and your baby’s father, this is not a crime. Good luck with you application and border crossing.

 

[iarblue]

If you have been across three times before and they see that you did not overstay out of status and you tell them you are doing the PR.And you just want to spend some time with your husband,so he actually gets to see the baby grow.And if they ask just show him you are well aware of the law that you must renew if you have too.
I fyou show them you know and understand the law,and they do their little checks then you will likely not have any problems.
Just make sure you give them nothing to question you by,(like dont bring stuff your not allowed to.
You will be fine.

 

[michaelab]

Thanks for your replies! I wish I could apply for a visa beforehand so that I don't have to find out at the border after driving for hours with the baby!

I know I will be sooooo nervous and queasy! Last time I drove by the custom I glanced the secondary building to my left and I saw 6 people sitting at the counter looking very bored since it was the middle of the night and no one was being sent in at the time. I am sure they would have had a field day with me if I were to be sent there!

 

[Canuckgirl]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to post here because I have experienced that same anxiety over border crossings, and it turned out to be no big deal. My fiance is American and I am Canadian, and we had lived in the US together for just over a year when it was time for me to move back home (my student visa was about to expire). We prepared almost our entire PR application (and had paid the fees a day earlier) and had it all nicely presentable in a huge folder, and we went to the border with it, hoping to get my fiance the longest possible visitor's visa. We made sure that we were super honest and up front with everything, and at the secondary interview, the officer wasn't even interested in flipping through the folder, joking "looks like you have plenty here, I think I've seen more than enough already". Then he asked my fiance how long he wants to stay in Canada - I hear that this is unusual - and my fiance asked if the maximum of 1 year would be ok, and the officer replied, "no problem". We were really scared going into the interview, but it turns out there are definitely some nice border officers out there. I think it's also very important that you be relaxed when you go to the border, because if you are anxious, they may feel as if you are anxious for a reason, or maybe trying to hide something.

 

[michaelab]

It would be nice if my husband will be crossing with me but he can't so I am not sure how smoothly it will go for me.

I have a question for you..when your fiance crossed the border how long did he say he intent to stay initially? Did they ask him? When I cross the border, the IO usally asks me the nature of visit and how long I will stay.

For those who got Visitors record what did you guys tell them? I am thinking what exactly should I say or should not say. My purpose for getting a visitor record is to stay in Canada while my PR is in process and since I am driving I need to have some sort of date on my passport.

 

[Canuckgirl]

When we drove up to the border, the officer at the window asked us each the purpose of our trip, and I said I was returning home, and that he would like to visit me in Canada, and that we would like to get a visitor record for him. We were directed to the secondary interview inside the main building by the border, where we waited in line for about 20 minutes. When it was our turn, I spoke for both of us, explaining that we were about to send off our PR application for my fiance, and that he would like to visit me as long as possible while it processes, but that otherwise he could return to his home in Florida at any time. To be honest, we were both kind of shocked at how brief the conversation was - we were only asked a few more details after that, such as where I worked (I work for the Cdn. Federal Gov't which always looks good, lol) and where we would be living. One thing I forgot to mention that is also important, is that he didn't have a lot of things with him, just one suitcase of clothing/personal items (we had already shipped the rest of his stuff mixed in with my stuff ahead of time, under my name) - so that also made it appear more like a visit rather than a more permanent stay. Also, I think it's crucial to attend the border together if possible, because that adds validity to your reason for entering the country.

Here are the two links that I used to prepare us both for the crossing: us2canada.com/visitorrecord.php and us2canada.com/visiting.php.

 

[michaelab]

So I should simply ask for a visitor record like your fiancee did when I talk to the first IO right? I am hoping to have an invitation letter from my husband to guarantee my expenses be covered during my stay in Canada. Do you think it will be helpful?

Was your fiance asked how much ties he has in the States? I do not work as I am a stay at home mom to our little girl. I have elementary school aged children from the previous marriage (they live with my ex) and I own a vehicle..but I do not own a house. I rent one but my lease will be expiring by the time I leave here. And since I am planning to visit for that long (hopefully til my PR is approved) I wasn't going to go hunt for a new place til I am pretty much force to come back.

I am worried that IOs might think I do not have enough ties to the US when I ask for visitor record although I have been in and out of Canada 5 times in past 1 1/2. I know I am worried to death but I am sure everyone can here understand that.
Thanks for your reply!!

When we drove up to the border, the officer at the window asked us each the purpose of our trip, and I said I was returning home, and that he would like to visit me in Canada, and that we would like to get a visitor record for him. We were directed to the secondary interview inside the main building by the border, where we waited in line for about 20 minutes. When it was our turn, I spoke for both of us, explaining that we were about to send off our PR application for my fiance, and that he would like to visit me as long as possible while it processes, but that otherwise he could return to his home in Florida at any time. To be honest, we were both kind of shocked at how brief the conversation was - we were only asked a few more details after that, such as where I worked (I work for the Cdn. Federal Gov't which always looks good, lol) and where we would be living. One thing I forgot to mention that is also important, is that he didn't have a lot of things with him, just one suitcase of clothing/personal items (we had already shipped the rest of his stuff mixed in with my stuff ahead of time, under my name) - so that also made it appear more like a visit rather than a more permanent stay. Also, I think it's crucial to attend the border together if possible, because that adds validity to your reason for entering the country.

Here are the two links that I used to prepare us both for the crossing: us2canada.com/visitorrecord.php and us2canada.com/visiting.php.

 

[sogwap]

I think we all stress way to much.
I moved to Ontario Aug 2009, TEMPORARILY, to get married and start the PR process. That was 9 months ago. Currently I'm waiting for the FBI report, that was once rejected because of print quality being "too low".

Since Aug 2009 I've been across the border three times. Once in Oct 2009 to Niagra Falls to get married, Once in Nov for US Thank Giving, we had no problems. I forget which time, but once the Canadian IO never even open our passports. In April 2010 we went to Florida for vacation, on our way back flying into Toronto, they only asked where I was (Florida), where I lived (Indiana legal residence), where I was going. As long as you have everything in order (money, place and purpose to stay), are prepared to leave at the appointed time and have not overstayed, it is unlikely to be denied entry. The worst I would think is they only give you limited visiting privileges.