Query when i visited canada?

Question

I visited canada in feb of 2006. After a long flight from the uk iwas looking forward to getting a cab and crashin out at the place i was stayin but no i got pulled by immigration. Eventually after a severe grilling i was eventually alowed to stay but i was given a form that i had to hand back when i returned to go home.

I am not sure if this had something to do with fact that i only had my outward ticket as i had an e ticket so i could not get my return ticket until day of return. The immigration officer did say how could she be sure that i was going to leave when i stated i was.

Anyhow after returning i am planning to return to canada for another visit i dont want to have to go through that experience again. I noticed they put a stamp in my passport and am wondering if this might tell them that i got pulled and to check me again or am i just bein paranoid. Is there anyway i can find out if i will have a trouble free entrance next time or is it just get there and hope n pray.

Answer 1

I am from the U.S. and had the same problem the first time I went to canada. Here are my suggestions for future visits:
1) try to have round ticket in hand, if it's an e-ticket, have a printout of your itinerary, showing payment of roundtrip and date your flight home leaves.
2) have with you proof that you are expected back at your job, or at your school, and when.
3) have proof of housing payments, and again, something showing that you are expected to pay rent/mortgage again after you return ...
4) try to appear confident and not nervous when you are being questioned. Have your answers ready (like where you are staying, when you are leaving, what you are doing, etc)

Chances are, next time you will be fine. I've crossed well over a hundred times since that first time, and have been grilled about 4 times total, so that isn't a bad percentage, considering i had unusual circumstances for traveling across the border. Only the one time did I ever have to drop the temporary visa form back at customs on the way out of the country.

However, if you DO get pulled aside, having the above documentation will help prove your intentions. Also, the fact you returned to the U'K is in your favour.

Answer 2

I had the same problem going to the UK in 1998 (and I had a round the world ticket showing I was leaving in a week). I was tired and perhaps a bit dishevelled at the time (I don't travel well and I had gastro so I wasn't feeling well). I just put it down to a clerk having a bad day and wanting to take it out on unsuspecting 'customers'. I got almost the exact same words (something like "how to I know you're not planning to stay here). I'm from Australia and they may think we all want to live there (definitely not the case with me). I wouldn't worry and just hope you get someone having a good day next time. They even asked to see how much cash I had on me, I think (it's been a while and the bad memory is subsiding). Nevertheless, I got in with nothing more than the annoyance and left on schedule. I sympathise with you. It is annoying to be picked on for no apparent reason. It may be as simple as they check every 10th non-European.

Answer 3

Yeah, that was thanks to your lack of return ticket.

And it might well be in some sort of permanent record.

Which both suck. Sorry about that.

But. Given that you did actually go home as you planned &c, don't expect too much hassle. Bring whatever you can think of that shows ties to the UK -- your lease, your proof of employment there, etc, and have a return ticket. Don't lie about a single thing, and answer everything you're asked cheerfully. I recommend putting a reasonable amount of CDN$ as well as £ in your wallet -- not thousands; make yourself look as much like a tourist and as little like a resident as possible, like a guy who plans to buy a few presents in Canada but who still has some pounds for his cab home from the airport in the UK.

It might be worth contacting Canada Customs and Immigration; they could at least clarify what stamp you got --

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/menu-e.html

Answer 4

it incredibly is one visa application in keeping with man or woman. the two you and your mom will might desire to post seperate visa application. You and your mom can the two enter Canada at the same time or at seperate cases - you will each have your guy or woman visa, use it to head into once you like.