Returning to Canada to visit after getting AP or Green Card

[theanswerisdance 144]

I've been trying to find this topic already answered but am having a hard time. I have been granted AP and have my AOS interview at the end of August. I'm planning to go back to Canada to visit family and friends. This may be a dumb question, but how do I fill out the Canadian customs form and proceed through customs when I arrive? I know I would technically be a visitor there now, but I have a Canadian passport and am a Canadian citizen. Do I enter through the visitors' line now? Do I need to show my AP (or GC if I get it before I visit) on the Canadian customs side, or is that just when I return to the U.S.? Will the Canadian side ask to see any proof that I have ties to return to the U.S. (the way the U.S. side often does when we're coming to the States as visitors) or does the Canadian side care about ties to the U.S. since I'm a Canadian citizen anyway? Just a little confused how this works...

Thanks everyone!

[blk 87]

I've been trying to find this topic already answered but am having a hard time. I have been granted AP and have my AOS interview at the end of August. I'm planning to go back to Canada to visit family and friends. This may be a dumb question, but how do I fill out the Canadian customs form and proceed through customs when I arrive? I know I would technically be a visitor there now, but I have a Canadian passport and am a Canadian citizen. Do I enter through the visitors' line now? Do I need to show my AP (or GC if I get it before I visit) on the Canadian customs side, or is that just when I return to the U.S.? Will the Canadian side ask to see any proof that I have ties to return to the U.S. (the way the U.S. side often does when we're coming to the States as visitors) or does the Canadian side care about ties to the U.S. since I'm a Canadian citizen anyway? Just a little confused how this works...

Thanks everyone!

Hi Your AP Card or G/C is only needed to when you return to the USA, as it's your prof of your entitlement to enter the USA as a resident.

As for entering Canada you will be doing so as a Canadian Citizen not a visitor.

Brian

Edited August 5, 2015 by blk

[Lemonslice 4,549]

Hi Your AP Card or G/C is only needed to when you return to the USA, as it's your prof of your entitlement to enter the USA as a resident.

As for entering Canada you will be doing so as a Canadian Citizen not a visitor.

Brian

You're actually a visiting Canadian; CBSA has asked me repeatedly to show my green card. Customs exemptions are the ones for visitors, different than for residents of Canada (citizens or otherwise). Edited August 5, 2015 by Boston~Montreal

[blk 87]

You're actually a visiting Canadian; CBSA has asked me repeatedly to show my green card. Customs exemptions are the ones for visitors, different than for residents of Canada (citizens or otherwise).

When I went back to the UK last year I only had to show my passport to enter the UK, the only times I had to show my G/C was on my way out of the UK & On entering the USA.

Edited August 5, 2015 by blk

[Lemonslice 4,549]

Canada might be different.

Question was about customs declaration card, and your residency status is what matters there.

You can certainly enter Canada as a Canadian citizen without any documents. Much easier wirh a passport or documents, but they'll interrogate you, and eventually you'll be let in.

However, to enjoy the tax free exemptions, they will want proof of your residency status.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Boston~Montreal

[blk 87]

Canada might be different.

Question was about customs declaration card, and your residency status is what matters there.

Thanks for the insight, I have learnt something new.

[theanswerisdance 144]

Canada might be different.

Question was about customs declaration card, and your residency status is what matters there.

You can certainly enter Canada as a Canadian citizen without any documents. Much easier wirh a passport or documents, but they'll interrogate you, and eventually you'll be let in.

However, to enjoy the tax free exemptions, they will want proof of your residency status.

So will Canada now care about my length of stay in Canada, whether I have a return ticket booked to the US, etc. the way the US always does/did when I entered as a visitor? I'm planning to stay for minimum 6 weeks and maximum of 8 weeks to take care of my mom who has a chronic illness and I'm just wondering whether they would hassle me upon entry because I won't have booked a return flight, or whether they won't care because I'm a Canadian citizen.

Thanks for the insight!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

No ......you are a citizen, you could choose to stay if you wanted. When I cross the border they do ask when I plan to return, but its more from the point of view of the my USC husband I would think

So will Canada now care about my length of stay in Canada, whether I have a return ticket booked to the US, etc. the way the US always does/did when I entered as a visitor? I'm planning to stay for minimum 6 weeks and maximum of 8 weeks to take care of my mom who has a chronic illness and I'm just wondering whether they would hassle me upon entry because I won't have booked a return flight, or whether they won't care because I'm a Canadian citizen.

Thanks for the insight!