Just wondering if anyone has experience with living in Canada and commuting on a daily basis into the US for work. My husband is from Missouri and was supposed to have had a callback date for his job but they pulled the plug on it so now we're looking at other options that might include him living closer.
I live in Winnipeg and we found a company in Pembina, North Dakota that is hiring. He has an interview for Wednesday...we're obviously hoping for the best. He's willing to commute the 1.5 hour drive each way if it means he can be with me and from what we can figure, the cost of gas in his little car would be cheaper than setting up a second household there. The only issue we're wondering about is if it will cause issues at the border with him crossing both ways on a daily basis. Anyone have any experience with this?
We have not as yet submitted the paperwork for his PR because we just got married the end of January and are waiting for the FBI clearance to be returned. Everything else is done and ready to go...just "patiently" waiting. lol
Take care ~ Beverly
The Emerson POE can be a little tougher than many. But also accomodating.
It is really hard to say, though, since so much depends on how he comes across to the officers at the POE.
If he actually gets this job, it should go pretty well. It has been a few years, but Emerson actually treated me well when I went through there.
You should be able to make the application soon, and that will make a difference. Most daily border crossers I know were in places like along the Niagara border, but . . . a job in the U.S. makes a big difference.
Just be straight and honest and upfront about what is going on, and in your situation I believe they will be accommodating.
No comment as Im not used to that POE just for than short visits to Fargo when I lived in Winnipeg to go shopping. But I'll feel sorry for you guys for that daily commute in the winter! lol
I don't have experience with it personally, but as long as he has proof he's working in the USA, and being sponsored for PR in Canada, everything you plan to do is allowed. I expect he'll get questioned in detail at some point - it's just luck of the draw, and the more you cross, the more likely it is.
Suggestions:
1. Apply for NEXUS. Emerson has NEXUS lanes:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listi...579-e.html
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html
2. Keep proof of the US job with him in the car.
3. Keep proof of the Canadian sponsorship application with him in the car. (If you haven't submitted the application yet, then a copy of the fees receipt - which you can pay before you submit the application - is a good alternative to show you're serious about filing the application.)
4. Have a backup plan for what would happen if he got refused entry into Canada one day worked out. I'd say it's very unlikely, but should put you at ease.
He just has to be aware that he can't consider himself "living" in Canada with you until after he has PR status. Even though he would be working in the States, they can object on principle to a declaration that he considers himself to be living in Canada when he doesn't have a right to do that without PR. Normally the big issue is concerns about whether or not the foreign national will work illegally in Canada during a long stay - that concern, obviously, could be mitigated by proof that he has a job in the States that he's commuting to. But if an officer wants to get "testy" and he mentions that he's living with you and working in the States, they can refuse him entry or even exclude him from Canada for a period of time. He must always say, if asked, that he's just entering Canada to visit you and that he intends to return to
home and work the next morning, or on Monday, or whatever is applicable. They'll want to believe he has a residence in the States - so he must never say anything that would make them think otherwise.
Absolutely use NEXUS if he can. I don't have any personal experience with it, but it does eliminate the need for daily entry interviews. Someone else will have to advise you about the application process and what is acceptable as a reason to come and go. I would suspect that
getting him a Visitor Record from Immigration Canada, so that he has permission to stay with you, would go a long ways towards getting approval for a NEXUS to facilitate him going back and forth each day to work. I know people have done this at other crossing without too much difficulty - hopefully some of them will weigh in and provide you with more specific information.
Thanks so much for the suggestions for this situation. If it would work better for him to have a place there, we're willing to do that and just have him come on the weekends, but I'm pregnant and dealing with some health issues due to "advanced maternal age".
It would be nice to have him here more frequently, but at the same time, we don't want to mess anything else up with regards to his permanent residency application.
Tiggy ~ Yes, the drive in winter would be a real pain...I'm hoping that perhaps he'll have his PR before the worst of winter hits. I would worry endlessly about him on the road in winter driving conditions. lol
Obviously this all hinges on him actually getting the job... Trying not to get my hopes up too much because--short of winning the lottery--this seems the best way for us to be as together as is possible at this point.
Thanks again for the input.
Take care ~ Beverly
Will a NEXUS help very much for someone who is just planning on staying in Canada to wait out an outland application? I don't plan on crossing over very much but is it worth it to get it? Will I be denied if I am married to a Canadian since they think I may come to stay and work illegally,etc?
Beverly, as long as he understands that he is always "visiting" until he gets the PR visa, like RobsLuv said, you would be extremely unlucky for anything in your plan to affect the PR application. If they decide he's not a genuine temporary resident at some point, and deny him entry, then he might not be able to visit again until the PR application is finalised, but you run that same risk with him coming up every weekend.
Yes, I have already told him that he won't be able to bring in most of his possessions at this point. He can store most his stuff at his mom's, but I told him even bringing in his TV and desktop computer might be iffy right now. He knows we need to be careful about giving the impression that he is living here rather than just visiting.
Question though...I was thinking of adding his name on the bills at my house. Would that make it look like he was living here? I'm trying to find ways to show we're combining our finances, etc. We already looked into opening a joint account at my credit union--they said no go until he has some provincial ID.
I'll admit I'm somewhat worried about our application which is why I don't want to do anything that might jeopardize it. While we have talked every day since we first met and have visited as much as we can, we have very few pictures together and I didn't keep receipts of hotels and such when we got together. We weren't really big on gift giving as we preferred to spend the money on gas to see each other. Everything has been fairly low-key for us since this my second marriage, his 3rd...and we're not so young any more. lol I'm 40, he's 50. And of course there's the fact that we got married sooner than we'd planned thanks to an unexpected pregnancy.
lol
I just hope that whoever gets our application can see the genuineness of it and realize that this is just who we are as a couple.
Feeling sad as he has to leave tomorrow for Missouri--hitting North Dakota for his interview on the way--and we're not sure when he'll be able to come back. Separations suck...well, this one does anyway. The one from my ex was a blessing. lol
Take care ~ Beverly
I wouldn't be too concerned about adding him to the bills at your house - the IO at the border won't ever know that as it's just evidence you'll submit with the PR application, not something you're going to mention to the IO at the border.
If you're short on "proof" a couple of statutory declarations from friends/relatives who were at your wedding and/or know your relationship and that it is genuine and continuing goes a long way. Have a look over the lists of possible evidence in OP2 5.26 and also 5.35.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/m...02-eng.pdf
Also, don't miss the opportunity to tell your story at the end of IMM 5490. You can explain the ceremony was simple due to being your second marriage, etc. Also, the fact that you're having a baby together is something you want CIC to know! (You could even include a note from the doctor.)
I myself did the [b]daily[/b] 1.5 hour daily commute in 2008 to be with my partner and although I was never "banned" or refused entry, there were some "testy" border agents who basically threatened me. Few and far between thankfully, but the fear that comes out of those sessions is terrible...Right now i'm crossing every other day and off and on weekends. Thanks to having a NEXUS pass, they barely bat an eyelash at me, sometimes motioning their head and grumbling go..and continuing reading thier book...what a blessing that is lol... but as stated above, proof of employment in US is a MUST...The NEXUS pass is permitted on grounds of family/friends/relationships for the reason of applying...at least in my area (niagara region) But being literally 3 minutes from eachother makes for tons of crossborder relationships..
If you do the right thing and he is honest he should be ok, but as Matt stated, you should have a backup plan incase he were to be refused entry or worse, banned for some time...
I had an officer threaten to ban me for "playing a dangerous game" and then laugh and say go ahead..if they feel compelled the look at the computer screen and say "oh so you crossed monday and tuesday and thursday and saturday etc...you are living here!! what are you trying to do?
i've also had one, who at first sight of my car every time id get him, had the yellow slip ready (meaning you have to speak to secondary)because I was open with my sexuality and he thought he could bully me. I'm sure people might not believe that, but he'd se me, give me his evil smile ask a trick question (how long have you been away from your house in Canada? I don't live on Canada...yes you do, how long have you been away from Canada where are you coming from?? trying so hard for me to slip up.. and send me away to secondary....I could go on and on.. Even if you aren't visiting too much you can still be refused by an agent just because...
I wish you the best of luck and hope that you guys can have a quick
PR application...We can't even get married yet :( We have set up joint finances together with RBC bank it was very easy to do .