Traveling to US by car

[dutchmatt 1]

Hello,

I am wondering what happens when you pull up to the window at the border, you had over your passport to the CBP agent - what happens after that? He doesn't issue a B1/2 visa - do they key you into the computer? Do they record the time and date of you entering the country? Does not receiving a passport stamp allow you to be in the US for 6 months?

Thanks!

[payxibka 10,045]

Not a K-1 visa issue... moving thread to Canada regional forum

[Malrothien 6]

Canadians do not require a visa to enter the US. However, you are only allowed to be in the US for 6 months at a time.

[dutchmatt 1]

Canadians do not require a visa to enter the US. However, you are only allowed to be in the US for 6 months at a time.

Ok, do they keep a record of when you enter. Example: Joe Blow entered at 12pm 09/08/2009 he is due back 03/09/2010?

[Malrothien 6]

I have been told yes and no. I would just keep it as a record yourself as you do not want an overstay issue.

Are you planning on going down for an extended period? You will need serious ties to Canada.

[dutchmatt 1]

I have been told yes and no. I would just keep it as a record yourself as you do not want an overstay issue.

Are you planning on going down for an extended period? You will need serious ties to Canada.

I'm actually asking for a friend of mine who is (coincidentally) dating someone from the US. She was hoping to take a Leave of absence from work and travel to the US to see him, but she's nervous that saying she's gonna be there for so long might raise some red flags.

[ashenflowers 5]

I have been told yes and no. I would just keep it as a record yourself as you do not want an overstay issue.

Are you planning on going down for an extended period? You will need serious ties to Canada.

I'm actually asking for a friend of mine who is (coincidentally) dating someone from the US. She was hoping to take a Leave of absence from work and travel to the US to see him, but she's nervous that saying she's gonna be there for so long might raise some red flags.

how long is she planning to go for? As mentioned, she will need ties to Canada. Including rental leases, utility bills, letter from employer stating the expected return to work day. That sort of thing. And yes, she can't stay longer than 6 months.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yes a cdn can stay UP to 6 months, and they could limit her stay to 1, 2, 3, etc etc months! And they could deny him/her entry! check my signature for my free info.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I went down for 3 months last year.

I got asked quite a few questions, some of which I thought were going to make me denied. They never asked for any proof of ties to Canada, but I would never take the chance again!

(I was pretty darn naive at the time and didn't bring any form of ties with me )

Edited September 8, 2009 by Rhiann

[thetreble 19]

taking a leave of absense of work to go to the US for awhile is kinda shady. Make sure your friend brings proof of her return and as someone said, that her employer expects her to return to work.

[trailmix 77]

I have been told yes and no. I would just keep it as a record yourself as you do not want an overstay issue.

Are you planning on going down for an extended period? You will need serious ties to Canada.

I'm actually asking for a friend of mine who is (coincidentally) dating someone from the US. She was hoping to take a Leave of absence from work and travel to the US to see him, but she's nervous that saying she's gonna be there for so long might raise some red flags.

She should be wary. As many have said, the guideline is that she will be able to enter the U.S. to stay for up to 6 months at a time.

But - that is just the guideline.

The bottom line is that the border person has 100% say in how long she will be able to stay and whether or not they will let her in. I suspect if she says she is going to visit her boyfriend for 6 months, this would raise a red flag and they will be looking for ties to Canada to prove that she does not have intent to take up residence in the U.S.

If they are suspicious and they let her in anyway, they may stamp her passport and restrict her stay - could be anything from a week to 6 months - but then yes, they will be tracking it.

Do they actually track each visitor? That's doubtful.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I don't know the full details, but I know a girl who took a leave of absence from her job in Toronto and recently crossed to 'visit' her bf in the US for 6 months. She's there now 'living', and I don't know what they asked her at the border, but she seemed to have no trouble crossing.

[Flames9_RN 358]

It all comes down to the POE officer! Some ask like 1 question, and they are barely awake when they ask that question! lol