What do I say when crossing border to visit?

[CaraPK]

My husband is moving back to Canada this week, and I'm going along with our newborn. My application for PR was sent to Buffalo on June 17, but is not yet in process. I'm American, and intend to wait out the rest of the PR process in Canada with my husband.

When we drive across the border, what do I tell the border police when they ask about my purpose for entering Canada? Do I:
A) just say that I'm visiting, and stay silent about being in the middle of the PR process?
OR
B) inform them that I've applied for PR, and would like to spend the next few months waiting in Canada with my spouse. I do intend to go back to the States (at least temporarily) in November for Thanksgiving.

I've very nervous about the possibility of being turned away at the border. I will still have US bank account, credit cards, all my family in the US, etc., but have no job or apartment to use as proof of ties to the States.

Any advice from the experts is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[lynw]

I'd say be honest about your hopes for immigration, but also be clear that this is a visit. Take a bank statement and proof of medical cover. Oh, and a copy of your CIC receipt.

Good luck!

 

[moo48]

When I cross the border to visit my husband, which is often, they seem to almost relieved to hear that I've applied for my permanent residency and am just waiting for the papers. I think when they hear that you've already applied, and you know what you are talking about, they feel like you are taking the whole thing seriously, and not trying to sneak into their country.

The truth is always best with them, of course.

I haven't stayed for an extended period of time, though, so I'm not sure if they think about things differently when you are staying for a long time.

 

[plumosa]

I'd tell them about the immigration and bring all your proof with you (medicals, fbi, CIC, funds and health insurance). When they see that you are following the rules by going through the hassle of immigration they are more likely to let you in. Expect to be sent inside and answer some questions and be given a visitor's record on when you are supposed to leave. The more money you have proof of and the longer your health insurance is good for the longer the VR you will get. My VR's have always expired when my insurance runs out. The process to get the VR takes quite a while, around 30 minutes (but it feels like much longer, damn nerves!) I've had three VR's so far (good for a year total) and I cross the border around once a month, always by myself. I've never had an issue because I'm completely honest with them and like moo48 says, they know you're not trying to sneak into the country.


When you say your husband is moving back to Canada, am I correct in assuming that he will be moving all his stuff back as well? If so it might be a good idea to have him do that separately and then have him drive back to the border and cross with you then. Otherwise the border agent might think that it is YOUR stuff and while you can probably convince them otherwise, its going to be a pain in the a$$. If he's been gone long enough he can move back his stuff duty free.

 

[BeShoo]

Tell them you're visiting to wait for the answer on your PR application. As long as you have a place to go back to if your application is refused, they are not likely to deny you entry. Tell them you are only staying until November. When November comes, you'll have to go through this again. You're going to need a permenent address in the U.S. to go back to in November. Arrange to move in with a relative, even though you won't be staying there right now, it's important to have a backup plan in case the PR is not approved. You also need to convince them that you are able to get back there if that happens. If you're within driving distance, this won't be too difficult.

Since you have assets in the U.S. that you wouldn't want to just abandon, this will help. Be sure to take proof of payment of your PR application and any other papers that show that you've applied (copies of the forms, mailing receipt, etc.) in case they ask about those. Your husband can verbally declare that he will support you while you wait and that will help too, unless you have enough in the bank personally to support yourself for that long, which would be another alternative.

Be sure you are taking an appropriate amount of person belongings for a 4-month visit, such as clothes, etc. Be sure you are not bringing personal furniture that would seem to indicate you want to stay permanently, because you can't stay permenently yet. Of course your husband would be eligible to bring such things, so that might help.

Don't worry too much about it. I don't think you'll have any problem, but do expect a secondary inspection and a lot of questions at the border.

(When we came, they never asked about health insurance, although I suppose they could. I asked here about whether it was an issue for others, and no-one at the time had been asked about health insurance.)

 

[CaraPK]

Thanks for the replies.

Just to clarify, my husband is driving separately with all of our belongings. I'm driving with his parents (also Canadian citizens), and will only be bringing a suitcase for me and a suitcase for baby.

I had already planned on bringing all of my PR application materials, including the letter of sponsorship approval.

Thanks again!

 

[sbwv09]

You should be fine, Cara. I crossed alone (which is not recommended) and was 'prepared' to the nines.. marriage certificate, PR paperwork, a lease, job information, etc.. and was asked for nothing. She asked if I was 'moving in' and I said no, and that was about it!