Canada Customs Card

[Team J and B 2]

Hi guys!

I'm in Vancouver for a few days and it's chillyyy! It's refreshing though, just like the good ol' Vancity I left behind!

I've seen some friends already and caught up and for the next few days it will be non stop yapping and eating and catching up with everyone.

I have a question for those who have just been approved for their two year conditional GC (my case - card not physically received yet but I have the I-551 stamp) OR those who have traveled to Canada on AP while waiting for their AOS interview:

When you were filling out the "arriving into Canada card" (or whatever it's called) on the plane, what did you put your status as? Resident or visitor? I put down resident but my home address was of course in California. I also declared the $ amount of goods I "returned" with ($17 See's Toffee-ettes).

The Canadian customs officer at YVR didn't blink an eye but just asked what my purpose of travel was and how long I'd be here for. I figured she saw my USA address and assumed correctly I'm just visiting.

Was that correct of me to put down I'm a resident? Or am I a visitor? I'm sure there are plenty of customs officers who would be pricks about having a USA address and also being a Canadian resident, as in they would ask a sh1tload of questions other than the five second face time I got with my customs agent.

So, just curious, what did you write down?

J of Team J and B

[SapphireDreams 71]

I'm pretty sure you are a US Resident now. If you are legally allowed to travel and have a permanent US address, that would make you a US resident.

[thetreble 19]

You are a visitor to Canada now. You have been approved for AOS with the I551 stamp which makes you a 'US resident and you can't hold residency in two countries.

Edited November 16, 2008 by thetreble

[payxibka 10,045]

but are you not a Canadian Citizen first?

[Flames9_RN 358]

but are you not a Canadian Citizen first?

Yes, but your no longer a resident! residency and citizenship are different. I always put down Visitor.

[Team J and B 2]

Thanks for your answers. I have learned from my error.

It was the "did I declare non-residency; open bank accounts; BCDL; taxes; etc." questions that got me wondering. Thinking way too much than necessary!

[neiks 19]

You are now a US resident and now a visitor to Canada. You are not entitled to a returning resident exemption but are allowed to bring in gifts up to $60 each duty and tax free.

Edited November 25, 2008 by neiks