American visiting Canadian girlfriend for a week

[Smelgafeld 0]

Hello!! Just joined the site after perusing for a while and I must say there is a wealth of information here and I would like to thank everyone for a great site!

Anyhow, I met a great Canadian girl online a while back and she has already came to visit me here for 2 weeks, everything is going great!

I am planning to visit her in Toronto around the holidays (its her birthday as well). Im a thorough sort of person and have been reading up alot on crossing the border and what not, but have also found a lot of horror stories of being denied entry when attempting to visit ones significant other (granted most Ive seen where problems trying to come to the USA but a fair share of trying to get to Canada as well).

My GF didn't have any real problems when she came to see me, they did send her to secondary for extra questioning. I guess the return ticket and the fact she has kids in Canada that her mom was watching during her trip was sufficient for the guards. They did hassle her because she only had 100 Dollars but she told them she had money coming into her account soon (which was true) and no further problems.

My intent is strictly to visit as I plan to go through all the proper channels to Immigrate to Canada eventually. (Got some things I need to take care of here first). I'm curious as to how to prove to the Canadian border folks that my intent is simply to visit and not to stay illegally.

I will be flying into Pearson and will have a return ticket for what thats worth.

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated, Im probably being a bit too paranoid, but Ive been planning this trip for sometime and can't really afford to waste the money if I am denied entry for whatever reason.

Thanks!

[M613 6]

We did back and forth Ottawa/Austin visits twice each while our K-1 visa paperwork was on the go... Never had a problem-we stated we were visitng a friend (or friends), had our return ticket and that was that.

It's easy to go through, especially as you're being honest-you're going to Toronto to visit a friend. You have return airfare, that states your return to the US, and bang-you're in.

In my 15+ years of going to and fro across the Canada-US border, my one surefire MO that worked was the less one yabbers on to border officials the better.

[SapphireDreams 71]

You really shouldn't have a problem visiting. My husband was never once hassled coming into Toronto and he came pretty regularly.

If you really want to play it safe, then you can always show them a mortgage/lease document, letter from your employer stating when they are expecting you back.

Your return ticket should be just fine for them!

Have fun!

[Smelgafeld 0]

Sweet, thanks for the responses. Guess I am being over-paranoid, too much research can be a dangerous thing!

[Varba 0]

I've been in your shoes many times, 90% of the time they really don't care at all.

Most important is have a name of the person you're coming to visit and know the address or location you're staying at.

Just remember, short and simple. Answer their questions directly. Don't lie.

I've been pulled aside into secondary as well (freaked me out)... same rules apply.

Most times they aren't looking to give you problems, just looking for the weird freaky people. Like the guy in secondary who brought an apple along into Canada and refused to surrender it... and was screaming about them taking his apple.... Yeah...

You'll make it and much fun will be had by all.

If you have any more questions - since I've done what you're doing so many times feel free to shoot me a PM - I'll happily answer anything you got.

[Malrothien 6]

When hubby and I were LD, I crossed about 50-60 times. Never once was I pulled into secondary on either side.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Look below at my "signature" for my free advice! I never had a problem!

[Smelgafeld 0]

Thanks all! This place rocks, everyone is so helpful!

Im sure I will come up with some more questions between now and then. (Leaving Dec. 19)

One question I can think of now.. I have never flown before! And during that time of year I can only imagine it will be pretty busy.. is there a preferable time to depart/arrive to try and avoid some of the congestion?

[Malrothien 6]

Morning departures are always better for weather delay issues.

[Sam and Ben 2]

My USC only had issues the first time he came over to visit (our first meeting) through the Windsor/Detroit border. We were picking him up in Windsor and bringing him home, so he didn't know my exact address and I guess that had the border official concerned. He also didn't have any hotel itineraries as he was staying with me and my parents.

I got a surprise phone call from the officer in question while Ben was sitting in secondary. She asked who I was, was I expecting anyone to visit, who he was, etc etc. She probably asked on three separate occasions whether or not I was comfortable with him coming to visit. Took about five minutes, and then he was allowed on his way.

That was prior to VisaJourney... now we just come prepared with documents proving intent on visiting, etc. I still get hassled when I head down to Florida for a couple of weeks here and there (and have been pulled into secondary each and every time), but bearing all pertinent documents/keeping my answers to the point has helped.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Just make sure you get to the airport about 2 to 3 hours before your flight, especially at that time of year. That will give you time to check in, go through security and be in plenty of time to board. Observe the requirements that all liquids are less than 4 oz and are contained in one 1 quart plastic bag. Be prepared at security to empty your pockets, remove your belt, remove your watch, remove your shoes and place everything into the container to be scanned by x-ray machine. Don't wrap any gifts in case they want to do a closer inspection and unwrap them. If you can manage to get everything into one carry-on (check the weight and size dimensions for the airline you are using) and one personal bag you won't have to wait at baggage claim nor run the risk of them misplacing your luggage.

I always found it easiest when crossing the border to say "I am going to the airport to fly to Atlanta to visit my fiancee for 5 days . . . or one week . . " whatever the time was. It was a definite statement of intent that the visit wasn't for a longer time, I had my return ticket and itinerary printed up, and I also carried proof of my ties to Canada. These included things like pay-stubs showing I was employed, rent receipts (I didn't have a lease) for the most recent month, ongoing utility bills (phone, electricity, gas, internet, etc.), vet bills to show I was leaving my cats in Canada, things like that. I also only carried enough clothing of the appropriate season for the time I was visiting.

You shouldn't have any problems. Enjoy your first flight - I love getting window seats because I love to watch the scenery go by -even if you are afraid of heights there is a surrealism to the whole experience that divorces you from feeling you are up high. Enjoy your visit to Toronto as well - it is a great city. Oh - and pack warm. I don't know where you are in the States but Toronto in December is cold and usually wet/snowy.

Edited October 8, 2009 by Kathryn41

[redmen99 1]

Thanks all! This place rocks, everyone is so helpful!

Im sure I will come up with some more questions between now and then. (Leaving Dec. 19)

One question I can think of now.. I have never flown before! And during that time of year I can only imagine it will be pretty busy.. is there a preferable time to depart/arrive to try and avoid some of the congestion?

Since you are going to Pearson, I would suggest arriving around noon or after 7pm and leaving either very early morning, or from noon to 3 pm or after 7 pm. From my experience, that airport is in an extreme high traffic area and to avoid being stuck in traffic I would avoid any flight times that are between 8 - 10 am and from 2 - 7 pm.

I hope for you that its a nice clear day when you land. You may get to see Niagara Falls, the Skyway and the CN Tower depending on how they fly in. All great things to see from the air and later the ground!

Good luck!

[cdn_gewels 0]

In the last year, I've visited my fiance about 15 times by air and have never had a problem. I go through Pearson often and last month, the officer didn't ask me one question. I just got my declaration stamped, and that was it. Just have a return ticket, pack light, and be honest. That'll help, for sure!

Good luck!

[CDAgirlMI 51]

My fiance never had/has issues crossing into Canada to visit me.

But like someone here said, just keep you answers short & be honest. I'll go smooth!

Enjoy your stay!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Even though the majority have never had a problem,one should be prepared for a denial! One thing on edoes not want to do is get mad at the officer and cause a scene, they can make ones immigration to the USA even more difficult. Remain cal and be in control and be polite! yes some get denied,thats a fact, and yes it could be a jerk of a POE officer, OR it could be that person! Some people when confronted with a stressful situation turn into jerks themselves and of course they don't state that in their posts on VJ. To them yelling loud and causing a scene is the norm,lol Best of luck!