I am from a visa exempt country (and have an eta).
Last year I entered Canada and was given a visitor record to accompany my husband who has a closed work permit (NOC A professional). His work permit was expiring this month and he successfully renewed it until 2019. Last week we went to USA for one day hoping to get another visitor record for me upon re-entry however the CBSA officer said that wasn't possible and only gave me a 6 month stamp in my passport. She said the only way to get another visitor record is to apply for an extension through CIC (current wait time 86 days).
To renew my RAMQ (medical insurance), I need a documenent to allow me to enter for more than 6 months asap and everything I've read since seems that I was just unlucky and could actually get another visitor record at a POE. I do not know if the CBSA agent put anything on my file which might make it difficult for me to try again. What would you advise now? I'm thinking one of the following options:
1) drive to the USA again and ask again for a visitor record (possibly at a different border crossing)
2) drive to USA and ask for a spouse open work permit instead - I am eligible for this (though don't have plans to work) and CIC website says it can be obtained at POE though not sure if they will give it to me since I've been in Canada (legally) for over a year and they may say I should have applied through CIC?
3) fly to USA instead and ask for visitor record or OWP on the way back.
If I drive to the USA, does it make any difference if I flagpole vs enter the USA for a few hours? I would prefer not to flagpole and always have some shopping to do.
Many thanks for any insight.
Last year I entered Canada and was given a visitor record to accompany my husband who has a closed work permit (NOC A professional). His work permit was expiring this month and he successfully renewed it until 2019. Last week we went to USA for one day hoping to get another visitor record for me upon re-entry however the CBSA officer said that wasn't possible and only gave me a 6 month stamp in my passport. She said the only way to get another visitor record is to apply for an extension through CIC (current wait time 86 days).
To renew my RAMQ (medical insurance), I need a documenent to allow me to enter for more than 6 months asap and everything I've read since seems that I was just unlucky and could actually get another visitor record at a POE. I do not know if the CBSA agent put anything on my file which might make it difficult for me to try again. What would you advise now? I'm thinking one of the following options:
1) drive to the USA again and ask again for a visitor record (possibly at a different border crossing)
2) drive to USA and ask for a spouse open work permit instead - I am eligible for this (though don't have plans to work) and CIC website says it can be obtained at POE though not sure if they will give it to me since I've been in Canada (legally) for over a year and they may say I should have applied through CIC?
3) fly to USA instead and ask for visitor record or OWP on the way back.
If I drive to the USA, does it make any difference if I flagpole vs enter the USA for a few hours? I would prefer not to flagpole and always have some shopping to do.
Many thanks for any insight.