Visitor Record

[freshaspeppermint]

Hey guys,

The other day I catched on A&X this show called Border Security; Canada, it is actually a good watch for tourist who are nervous of dealing with immigrants officers.

In this episode they gave a Visitor Record to one guy who was on a Tourist Visa but didn't had a return flight ticket booked if I recall correctly, basically they told him that he would have to leave in 2 weeks or they would send an officer to the place he will be staying to get him out of the country I guess.

So, I got a couple of doubts

1) In which cases are they likely to stamp a Visitor Record to your passport?
2) Do they only give these to people who they do not trust? (People who doesn't have a return ticket for example)
3) I read somewhere that they would only give these to visa-exempt travellers, is this true?

I just want to be as inform as I can

Thanks!

 

[Bs65]

Firstly if people watched these TV programs and worried about everything they covered people would be paranoid and over thinking about ever visiting Canada or any other country that has similar TV shows such as the US or Australia/NZ. There has to be a certain amount of staging given CBSA only probably agree to participate (and I have no inside info before anyone comments) to get some messages over and the fact you are asking means they have succeeded.

Anyone could get a visitor record regardless of whether visa exempt or not for many reasons. Having a visa versus visa exempt is still not a guarantee someone can enter the country it just means that having a visa someone has been vetted upfront.

Every time someone enters the CBSA officer will still assess someone individually with a standard set of questions, purpose of visit, length of stay, any previous visits, employed of not and so on. Depending on the answers and body language a person presents the officer will decide whether a secondary is warranted, but unlike the TV show these are an exception, most people pass through with no issues or restrictions. Obviously red flags are no return ticket, frequent visits and not employed in home country or arriving with large number of suitcases for a 2 week stay.

By all means watch the TV program but try not to over think things just approach immigration with an open mind and answer the questions asked honestly. For sure do not volunteer information that has not been asked for as thats when people can start to complicate things leading the CBSA officer down a whole different path.

 

[freshaspeppermint]

Firstly if people watched these TV programs and worried about everything they covered people would be paranoid and over thinking about ever visiting Canada or any other country that has similar TV shows such as the US or Australia/NZ. There has to be a certain amount of staging given CBSA only probably agree to participate (and I have no inside info before anyone comments) to get some messages over and the fact you are asking means they have succeeded.

Anyone could get a visitor record regardless of whether visa exempt or not for many reasons. Having a visa versus visa exempt is still not a guarantee someone can enter the country it just means that having a visa someone has been vetted upfront.

Every time someone enters the CBSA officer will still assess someone individually with a standard set of questions, purpose of visit, length of stay, any previous visits, employed of not and so on. Depending on the answers and body language a person presents the officer will decide whether a secondary is warranted, but unlike the TV show these are an exception, most people pass through with no issues or restrictions. Obviously red flags are no return ticket, frequent visits and not employed in home country or arriving with large number of suitcases for a 2 week stay.

By all means watch the TV program but try not to over think things just approach immigration with an open mind and answer the questions asked honestly. For sure do not volunteer information that has not been asked for as thats when people can start to complicate things leading the CBSA officer down a whole different path.

Thanks for your answer Bs65

I've previously dealt with immigrations officers but their procedures aren't as tough as the ones followed by CBSA. I wouldn't have been aware of the Ionscan for example, and even though I've nothing to hide is just something good to know beforehand, same for the fact that they can go through all you electronic devices.

I just wasn't sure why would they give away these Visitor Record to just some travellers, but you do explained it really clear.

Thanks again.