Visitor Record

[nyssa]

Hello! I plan on filing in June-July if my FBI clearance actually goes well this time. Also planning on moving to Canada in October (in time for our one-year wedding anniversary). Originally I was just going to mosey on in without my things and wait it out (and get my things/have them sent when I got my PR). Leave my address as is at my parent's house and have them send me the letters from CIC and so on so forth to not over-complicate anything.

Apparently this may not be so easy. I've never had a problem so far crossing in Canada, but while I've paid for my application, obviously it hasn't been processed yet, and obviously they would know if it has. My husband can't exactly accompany me at the border as it's hard enough for him to get into the US and I'm not sure how we'd orchestrate that. Has anyone had any luck just doing what I had intended? Or should I really just re-think my plan? ???

 

[BeShoo]

They will need assurance that your husband is willing and able to support you during the visit to wait it out (or that you can't support yourself without working).

They will also need to be confident that you will go back to the U.S. after your visit. As we found out, claiming that you live with your parents without a job or other responsibilities that you have to go back there for is not very reassuring to the immigration official. They need to know that you can afford to go back and that you have the intention to do so when your visit period finally expires. You may be able to extend your visit, but any time you are refused an extension, or if you should ultimately be refused the PR, they have to be convinced that you would go back. If they're not sure, you could have trouble.

In other words, during the visit to wait, you need stronger ties to your family than to your husband.

 

[sbwv09]

BeShoo is right.. you will probably be ok, just be prepared with proof of a job, a lease on your own place, etc.

Keep in mind you don't have to have a visitor's visa or anything even if you need to extend your stay. You may not want to ask for one and just want to try to lay low and get across.. you will have six months unless they tell you otherwise. If they give you one, great. If they don't, I wouldn't push for it.

 

[sogwap]

Why can't your husband meet you at the border?
On my very first trip to see my gf two years ago. I (US citizen) was stopped at the border because I told them I only had US$100, and was going to stay for 10 days. I had to show them my round trip ticket, and they called my gf, who assured them she was going to take care of me. It's ironic because at the time I came here for surgery at Shouldice Hernia Centre, And did she take good care of me.

After that I had come here numerous times, as a visitor. Only once after that did I have a second interview with Canadian IO, when I told them I was staying for 12 days.

 

[nyssa]

Thank you! I do live with my parents, but as for the job, my boss writes me letters each time. I always fly in to the Toronto airport. My husband can't meet me in the US because he doesn't have a car and has issues with crossing into the US after being denied entry last year, and not to mention the cost. I was under the impression in order to get a Visitor Record, he had to be with me.

I am terrified to ask for one and be denied. Although I'd be leaving my job and cancelling the credit card and all of that, I would bring everything as though I weren't. Obviously I will NOT stay past the 6-month limit without asking for an extension as I have no intention what-so-ever of illegal activity. Also, buying a round-trip plane ticket just incase.

 

[annabruce]

Don't cancel your credit card!!! Your credit rating does not follow you to Canada. You will find it very hard to get a new credit card until you have established your credit rating in Canada.

 

[jmni1]

I did what you are planning on May 13th of this year. I am a U.S. Citizen and I crossed at the slt saint marie border in the upper penninsula of michigan & ontario canada crossing. I had my car packed with my clothes, computer, printer, and some pots and pans. I told the IO that I was going to visit my fiance for 6 months and then he asked me that standard questions (any guns, gifts, ect.) I told him no. Then he told me I would need to get a visitor record and to park my car and go inside the building to get one.
Once inside another IO asked me my plans, I sd to visit my fiance for 6 months. He asked if I have a job, house, ect I said no. I only have family in Minnesota. He then asked if I plan to get married I said, yes on friday. He then asked if I plan to apply for PR status. I also answered yes. When he asked if I had already applied I told him (no I have not, but I have done the medical, backround checks, and paid the fees). I told him that I could not file yet because Canada does not have a fiance visa program, so I had to wait until I got married.
I drove across the border with my car. The IO issued me a visitor record for 6 1/2 months (which comes as a seperate sheet of paper, prety fancy looking) then he stamped my passport and wrote my visitor record number and exit date on it. He was very nice and helpful, he even asked if I has looked at the PR paperwork to see if I was prepared.

originally I planned to give as little information as possible, because I was fearful that telling the truth would get me denied entry. I am sure that cross border marriages are comon between the U.S. and Canada so I think this helps with not having many problems.


It woulld be a good idea to bring a printout of your bank statement to prve that you have money for your stay, in case they ask. Also make sure to have proof that you own your car woth no leain holders. The IO didd not ask me but is is good to have just in case.
Just be honest adn you should be fine.
Alos I crossed the border at 10pm on a wednesday night. I think that crossing at night is easiser.
Feel free to ask me any other questions you have.

 

[sogwap]

Why can't he met you at the airport. That's pretty much the same as meeting at the border.
You are a US citizen, right?
Why would they deny you entry to visit, as long as you make the obvious precautions.... Your address in US, Your plan is only to visit, and you will leave at the end of your visit?
I understand the fear of being turned away. But it's a chance we (US citizens) take every time we come to visit.

To visit Canada, you must:

* have a valid travel document, such as a passport
* be in good health
* satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin
* satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and
* have enough money for your stay. The amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives. For more information, ask the Canadian visa office in your country or region.

 

[AllisonVSC]

Nyssa,

Don't give up that credit card or close your bank account, if you have one, just yet. I can not tell you the number of little things I have needed from the US since I became PR here...like paying $7 US for my state's driving records so I can get insurance. It is much easier to write a check and pay in US dollars.

 

[MizzCanAm]

I am almost in the same position. The only difference is I am currently going through a divorce with my US husband. We have been separated for 8 years and just got the papers for the divorce to the judge. I have been dating my Canadian boyfriend for 6 years. In the past crossing the border, when I could only come for the weekend to visit or for a week or two when I was on vacation from work, I had no problems crossing the border. I told them how long I was staying and they waved me through. No secondary interview at all for the past 6 years. Just recently I have started having problems crossing the border. When I tell them I want to stay for 6 months, I get sent to secondary inspection. When I tell them I live with my parents (due to going through divorce) and don't have a job, they give me a hard time. They usually ask if I have handed in my application for PR yet. I tell them no and that I am trying to file for common law status before I can file. They tell me to get going on the paperwork, and I try to explain that I can't hand in the paperwork until I have been here a year living with my boyfriend. They tell me they can say how I should file, but I should get started on it. It's frustrating that they won't allow me to stay so I can get common law status, but tell me to get started on the paperwork. The past few times have been hard crossing the border. My last two times I was given a Visitor Record. Before these last 2 times I didn't even have a stamp in my passport for all the times that I have visited before. I wanted to come and stay with my boyfriend for 2 weeks around Easter. It would have been 2 weeks and a few days, but at the secondary inspection, she only gave me 2 weeks exactly, and I had to go back to the states the day before Easter. I went back and stayed in the states for 6 weeks and on my recent trip, I wanted to stay for 6 months and then I would apply for an extension for another 6 months so I could get my year required for common law. They would only allow me to stay for 3 months. I am not sure how many times they will enable me to extend, or if since my original visit is only approved for 3 months, can I ask for an extension for 6 months? It's very frustrating to say the least.

Now I know you are not suppose to lie to IO, but if you tell them you are coming for one week or two weeks, and then you plans change and you are able to stay longer, are you required to let them know? I am not saying that I would lie to them, but it seems that I had an easier time when I told them I was only coming for 2 weeks and if I didn't get a visitor record or stamp with a departure date, then I could have stayed up to 6 months with legal status.

 

[BeShoo]

Thank you! I do live with my parents, but as for the job, my boss writes me letters each time. I always fly in to the Toronto airport.... I was under the impression in order to get a Visitor Record, he had to be with me.

I think that having those letters from your boss is extremely useful. That alone is likely to lend a lot of weight to likelihood of your visit genuinely being temporary.

They will issue a Visitor Record if they think there is some danger of you wanting to overstay, so that they have documentation in the computer of when you came and when you have to go. I wouldn't think they necessarily keep any record of you otherwise. I've seen it stated in this forum and some similar forum that your partner/sponsor has to be with you, but I've never seen such a rule anywhere and I don't think it is required.

It's obviously helpful if he's there to vouch for the fact that he will support you during your stay and to answer any questions the IO might have. A good substitute would be a letter of support from him that you could show.

 

[sbwv09]

Now I know you are not suppose to lie to IO, but if you tell them you are coming for one week or two weeks, and then you plans change and you are able to stay longer, are you required to let them know? I am not saying that I would lie to them, but it seems that I had an easier time when I told them I was only coming for 2 weeks and if I didn't get a visitor record or stamp with a departure date, then I could have stayed up to 6 months with legal status.

You don't have to do anything unless you stay over the 6 months, but if it is in their system and you cross again they may give you a harder time, I'm not sure.

 

[nyssa]

Thank you all for the many replies! I just don't know how my husband could meet me at the aiport security part in Toronto, because no one is allowed at that section except for inbound passengers. That's my confusion, I suppose. I think most of you drive across? He would have to buy a ticket to the US, hope to get in, turn around with me (another ticket)... seems confusing!

 

[sbwv09]

I guess if he's at the airport and they want to talk to him you can tell them that he is waiting outside and they can call him or let him in or something. I've never flown before so I don't know the setup but I've seen a couple of posts where people have done that.. not that they had to be called back but that it's best if the partner is at the airport when you arrive, just in case.

 

[nyssa]

sbwv09 that makes a lot of sense. I've often been asked where my husband is or who's picking me up. Again, I've never had a problem thus far, but after my application has been sent... not so sure what shows up on their screen and the question of whether or not they will let me in as easily will be interesting.