Visting for 6 months - some advice on ties?

[pearmilk]

Hello! I've browsed this forums quite a bit, as well as other places for some answers, but I had some specific questions, and decided to ask for some help. I'm a US citizen and my long term boyfriend is Canadian. At first, he traveled here a lot, just a week or so every other month, and for the first time, this month, I went up to visit him. We decided to make the jump, and have me move there for 6 months. And by move, I do mean visit. I have FULL intentions of coming back to America after my 6 months is over. IF everything goes well, I might apply for another 6 months, but I do have intentions of coming back, legally.

As I've read, I've noticed showing ties is a big thing. When I went up for a week, I wasn't even asked questions by the Canadian TSA, it was just, stamp and go. But when I came back to America, they grilled me. I was only there for a week and they asked me like 10 questions, so I got a little worried about what they'd want to ask when I went to Canada for 6 months.

1) I do rent an apartment, but it's a 6 month lease. Would it be worth it to bring it to the Canadian TSA to show that while in Canada, my lease will end, but I still have 2-3 months left on the lease I'll be paying. Could I possibly get away with saying I plan on renewing it? I might actually renew it, but I haven't decided. Will they call my land lord?

2) I do own a car and make insurance payments monthly. Would bringing it proof of ownership and insurance payment help?

3) I do plan on living with my boyfriend and friends the entire trip. When I returned to America, they asked who had payed for my trip. I said me, cause I had, but for this trip, my boyfriend and friends will be paying most of it. Will this bother the TSA? I'll have some of my own money, but I won't be paying for most the trip. I WILL HAVE A RETURN TICKET, as I'll be flying in. And I think that helps assure then I plan on leaving. But I won't have tons of money, just enough to get home and survive when I do get home.

4) I've read elsewhere that some people have trouble getting in because the agents don't think their job is worth coming back to. I work full time as a server at a very nice restaurant, and my boss has said she'll write me a letter vouching I have a job when I return from my 6 month vacation. Will the fact that I'm a younger person, and a server, bother them? Does it look that bad? Should I show them my pay stub - even if it's low? It shows I only make 2.30 an hr, since all my money comes from tips. If I print a bank statement, do they verify it?

5) And finally - health insurance. My current health insurance doesn't cover international, and I heard that it causes a lot of people to get turned away for 6 months because they lack the insurance. Is this true? What's a good company to buy from? Do I actually need it? I have no clue where to start with this.

Thank you for your time and help!

 

[amikety]

Oh, you don't have to go back after six months! Just ask me. I'm approaching two years as a visitor.........

1) Yes, you could. Although, if you're planning to stay for six months, it would be pointless. Are you flying or driving? If you're flying, a return ticket can be used too. Your biggest issue for a six month visit is how will you support yourself financially. If your bf is going to do it, you should carry a letter from him along with some paystubs (or copies) to show he will support you and has an income. I would also have some backup "emergency" money/plans because the IO maybe ask what you will do if he breaks up with you or you decide you don't like him.

2) No, a car doesn't do much for them.

3) The TSA have the worlds grumpiest agents, I swear. Tell them the truth, you paid for the tickets and your boyfriend and friends supported you. It sounds like you got the a-hole of agents having a bad day. Not all BP are that bad.

4) Your employer can write you a letter. That should be more than enough.

5) You should buy traveler's insurance. It's relatively cheap if you buy the "emergency" package, meaning you only intend to use it if you fall deathly ill, etc. It usually covered 60-80% of a doctor's visit, etc. (You'll have to read the fine print of the policy you pick obviously.) I think mine was $80 for six months. Also, medical services are cheap compared to the USA, so if you do need a doctor's visit, it won't be as much as the USA. On the other hand, there are no low income clinics like the USA since they have provincial healthcare.

Is there a reason you're so obsessed about proof of returning to the USA? I can honestly say both times I crossed the border, I was never asked for any proof I planned to the return to the USA!

 

[pearmilk]

Wow - Thank you for such a great reply!

I would love to stay as long as possible, but I keep reading stories of people being turned away from the border, and it terrifies me that this will happen. I just want to assure myself the best chance possible of getting in. I'll have my boyfriend write a letter and send a pay stub.

Also, when you passed, what did you bring? did you state 6 months?

Is there anything else I should do for measures? Which company did you use for your insurance?

 

[amikety]

No, I had a return ticket for ten days later. You can buy refundable tickets.

People get turned away because they say or do something that makes the IO suspicious OR they get the IO from h*ll having a bad day.

One American was denied entry because they found PR forms on her laptop. So don't bring forms, even virtual ones. Really, I would plan for a shorter trip, then decide to stay longer if you want. As long as they don't write a date in your passport- it's six months. Even if they do put a date, you can extend it for $75 - pretty cheap for immigration. Because you aren't married yet, they may find it odd you can take six months off work.

 

[pearmilk]

Oh, ok! I just read somewhere that you can't extend your stay for 6 months longer if they dont stamp your passport. Is this true?

And is it easier to stay in for 6 months longer once your already been there, or will they be curious how I can stay from work for a year?

Thank you so much for all this help.

 

[amikety]

Not entirely true. You can extend your stay 3 ways - new stamp at the border, by mail, or by internet application. If you do it by mail or internet, you'll automatically get a Visitor's Record. It will contain information such as the date you are authorized it remain in Canada until. This supercedes the old passport stamp.

Of course they will be curious how you can not work for a year. If you don't give them some idea of what you're doing to support yourself, they will suspect you're working illegally. Your boyfriend can support you. You can include a letter of support from him or copies of his paystubs. That's all I did - 3 paystubs from different months showing consistent income for my boyfriend/husband. If for any reason your boyfriend doesn't make a lot (like he's a student or between jobs) if you're getting help from other members of either side of the family, they can include letters too. All you need to do is show you have someone helping you and you're fine!

I personally think CIC is fairly level headed about Americans visiting long term - there's at least a half dozen that I know of on the forum who are semi-active members and many more who probably never post or come here.

I used Patriot Traveler's Insurance. I can't say if they're any good about claims because I never made one.

One thing - you should have funds of your own for the stay. The IO may want to see you have funds to exit Canada if you need to - he might even ask what you will do if the relationship doesn't work out. It's good to say I have some type of emergency funds. The IO did ask me that and I showed him my debt and credits cards, told him what I had available on them. (I didn't have statements or anything - thankfully he didn't press any harder.)

 

[pearmilk]

Oh, so which way did you do it? That sounds like a really great plan. They didn't stamp mine last time, but the US did stamp mine for when I returned. Is this normal? My boyfriend said the US stamped his when he came in, but he wasn't stamped when he returned. I guess I'm curious as to how often they stamp the passports. I was just up there a few days ago and when I return for the 6 month trip, it'll only be a month or two from now, so will that send a red flag?

I will say I'm only planning on a week or so trip. I just hope they don't stamp it. But which way did you use, without a stamp, to renew another 6 months?

Thank you!

 

[amikety]

I did my application online with MyCIC. They updated it in December, so it's not the same as I used to use. It might be easier now to do it by mail. I've talked to a few people regarding the frustrations with MyCIC.

Canada doesn't always give new stamps. If you're well within your six months and were only in the USA a brief period of time, they sometimes consider that just a visit.

 

[pearmilk]

Okay, cool. So it should be fine extending another 6months via mail, even if they don't stamp my passport? So I don't need a stamp for them to extend another 6 months if I go in saying I'm staying for 10 days?

And I'm sorry..the last part confused me a tiny bit. They consider what a visit? Going back to the US? I'll be here for at least a month before I plan on returning to Canada.

 

[amikety]

Okay, cool. So it should be fine extending another 6months via mail, even if they don't stamp my passport? So I don't need a stamp for them to extend another 6 months if I go in saying I'm staying for 10 days?

And I'm sorry..the last part confused me a tiny bit. They consider what a visit? Going back to the US? I'll be here for at least a month before I plan on returning to Canada.

I'm not going to say it makes sense. Immigration is very confusing in general!

At month 4 I suggest reading the application and becoming familiar with it and what you need. Mail at 5 months.

 

[pearmilk]

Haha, fair enough. I can't thank you enough for all your help and advice. I've really been terrified of the entire process. I have nothing to hide, or any plans at the moment to become a full resident or attempt to live there, but I don't want to ruin my chances of being able to if it was coming to that. Ideally, I just want to be able to stay there with him until the next step.

I guess I'll try and go through with what you said, I just hope they don't stamp my passport this time. Guess I'm worried they will, since they'll be seeing me return again so early after my last trip for a 'week'.

You do think that'd be easier than just asking for a 6 month or even a 1 month trip? I'm just scared if I do get stamped, then they decline my 6 month extension, I'm screwed.

 

[amikety]

A one month trip may be more reasonable in the eyes of the IO admitting you to Canada versus six months, but your plans have to match.

Chances are, you'll get a new stamp without a date in it. No date = six months, regardless of what you told the IO at entering Canada.

If they do put a date, make sure to extend your status before that date. It's best to do at least 30 days ahead of time, but if you can't - just make sure it's before status expires.

You can go for a month, then change your mind and remain for the six months (or longer if you get your status extended). Furthermore, the more proof CIC has that you are being supported financially, the happier they will be. One of their biggest fears for a visitor is working under the table. As long as they can see you have support, they will be much more likely to grant a visit and the extension.