Canadian citizen visiting Arizona boyfriend, upon second visit told not to return for 6 months

[Lemonslice 4,961]

It doesn't sound like you have much income, so you most probably wouldn't have anything to pay, but if you continue to visit "as much as legally possible", you will also have to check in with the IRS. See: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Substantial-Presence-Test

Other than that, some couples keep the long distance relationship going for a long time - we are separated for different reasons between a third and half the time and we are more than happy being married together

[NikLR 13,232]

Because you don't work, you have a lack of ties to Canada. This will make it always suspicious to the CBP. When I said I was visiting my husband they immediately asked me when I would be back and where I worked. My stays were never longer than 10 days so I didn't have an issue. You're staying longer and it do not have a job. As it is you may be pushing the limits of using your ODSP as well. You may want to think about the future and what you want to do and what you CAN do may be two different things.

[Teddy B 17,252]

You visited may, june, july... You said 2 months.. so I'll assume you left end of may and early July??

Now Nov, dec, Jan... that's 3 months, so a total of 5.

Sometimes the CBP try to scare you. My ex SIL was denied entry and told to come back with proof she hadn't spent more than 180 days in the USA and proof that her daughter was currently in Hawaii and legally attending school. She did so the next day and wasn't asked a single question to see any of the paperwork. Basically it cost her a very expensive plane ticket and a whole lot of worry.

When you enter they may stamp your passport with a date. Don't over stay that date. And NEVER EVER attempt or show that you may know as much or more than a CBP officer. My husband, who has worked for the federal government for 10 years in one manner or another, strictly told me that these guys hate feeling stupid, so YOU play stupid and pretend you don't know. They feel better because they feel intelligent and knowledgeable, and you get what you want, an easy trip through CBP.

CBP does this quite often. They will give a person a verbal threat such as "you better not overstay", but in the end if they do not stamp your passport or give you an I-94 with a mandatory leave date, it's all hot air.

Spot on about the CBP egos as well, my brother is a cop and this holds true for just about anyone in law enforcement, they need to feel superior.

[Jacque67 7,328]

CBP does this quite often. They will give a person a verbal threat such as "you better not overstay", but in the end if they do not stamp your passport or give you an I-94 with a mandatory leave date, it's all hot air.

Spot on about the CBP egos as well, my brother is a cop and this holds true for just about anyone in law enforcement, they need to feel superior.

LOL!

[SJWatson 0]

Because you don't work, you have a lack of ties to Canada. This will make it always suspicious to the CBP. When I said I was visiting my husband they immediately asked me when I would be back and where I worked. My stays were never longer than 10 days so I didn't have an issue. You're staying longer and it do not have a job. As it is you may be pushing the limits of using your ODSP as well. You may want to think about the future and what you want to do and what you CAN do may be two different things.

I do work but it's over the internet. I am nervous about ODSP but I haven't been issued a warning and I don't see why they'd dislike me leaving when it means less burden on tax payers since I don't collect while away. It's unfortunate that ODSP and Ontario Works both encourage people to take measures to get off the system and punish those who make attempts. You are absolutely right about my future. Perhaps getting off ODSP and becoming financially independent will make this all easier.

[SJWatson 0]

Would it be safer to just come home and then in three or four months attempt flying again? The one thing I was wondering about is the visa. Can I get a tourist visa to reduce my chances of being turned away at the airport? -

[Teddy B 17,252]

Would it be safer to just come home and then in three or four months attempt flying again? The one thing I was wondering about is the visa. Can I get a tourist visa to reduce my chances of being turned away at the airport? -

As a Canadian tourist, you're already treated as having a B2 tourist visa, going through the motions of actually getting one won't really change anything. The same stipulations will apply.

[firecat 1]

CBP does this quite often. They will give a person a verbal threat such as "you better not overstay", but in the end if they do not stamp your passport or give you an I-94 with a mandatory leave date, it's all hot air.

Spot on about the CBP egos as well, my brother is a cop and this holds true for just about anyone in law enforcement, they need to feel superior.

I completely agree with this point. In fact, I know someone that was banned because he had "overstayed" and was told by CBP that he was "unlawfully present"….Being a Canadian, that simply wasn't true. However, it took a couple of years for an attorney to appeal with CBP etc and they reversed the decision.

So I would brush up on exactly what you can/can't do as a Canadian visitor….just so you know in case you run into further issues with CBP. Of course, just because you may be technically "right"….if a decision is made, even if the CBP officer is ignorant about the policies that apply to Canadian visitors….you are still screwed because appealing any decision (or filing a DHS TRIP inquiry) is extremely time consuming.

[SJWatson 0]

I checked my I-94 and it says

Admit Until Date: 2015 May 19

My passport says the same thing.

Does that mean I can extend my stay by a couple weeks?

[UnaMexicana 153]

You need to leave on the day they are telling you to leave, or before.