What to expect at border crossing?

[samack 79]

Hi everyone! I know there are already threads on this, but I have a few questions that are specific to the situation. I'd also like to be as prepared as possible because this is going to send me into stress overdrive as it is.

My fiancé is coming to get me next week, which means that I'm in full planning and packing mode. It's going to be a very long drive (20 hours each way, give or take) so he's bringing a friend with him and they're going to make a bit of a road trip out of the drive here. He also wants his friend to see middle of nowhere Canada, haha. They're leaving on Wednesday, will be getting here on Friday, and we'll be heading back on Sunday. Neither of them have ever crossed the border by car and its been at least 15 years since the last, and only, time that I did, so I wanted us to all be as prepared and informed as possible. Both crossings will be at the Houlton (New Brunswick/Maine) POE.

- how likely is it that they'll give them a hard time coming here? Particularly his friend, since my fiancé is the one with the obvious reason to make the trip. Shoukd I scan my visa so that he can print it out and have it with him when he crosses in case they question it?

- I know that processing on the way back will likely take under an hour, but does anyone know where his friend will have to go or what he'll do while he's waiting?

- I'm bringing my cat, who has all of his vaccination documentation, and I know that they'll ask me to bring him in with us. Do they just look at the documentation and clear pets, or will they take him out of his crate to get a better look at him? He has claws and is going to be very, very, very unhappy, to the point that I'm trying to figure out what I can give him for slight sedation. Knowing whether or not they'll be taking him out of the crate will likely sway my decision one way or another because it would be better for everyone involved if he was drowsy while going through that.

- I'm only going to have a carload of stuff but I'm a bit confused about the documentation I need. I'm planning to make lists, but which form, if any, do I have to fill out to go with them? Also, I'm going to be mailing some boxes of less valuable things right before I leave so that I'll arrive before they do. Do I have to show documentation about those too? Will I even be asked?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry for all of the questions, but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row. This part kind of sneaks up on you and you suddenly realize how much you have to get done before you leave. I couldn't be more excited, though!

[brentos 53]

Hi everyone! I know there are already threads on this, but I have a few questions that are specific to the situation. I'd also like to be as prepared as possible because this is going to send me into stress overdrive as it is.

My fiancé is coming to get me next week, which means that I'm in full planning and packing mode. It's going to be a very long drive (20 hours each way, give or take) so he's bringing a friend with him and they're going to make a bit of a road trip out of the drive here. He also wants his friend to see middle of nowhere Canada, haha. They're leaving on Wednesday, will be getting here on Friday, and we'll be heading back on Sunday. Neither of them have ever crossed the border by car and its been at least 15 years since the last, and only, time that I did, so I wanted us to all be as prepared and informed as possible. Both crossings will be at the Houlton (New Brunswick/Maine) POE.

- how likely is it that they'll give them a hard time coming here? Particularly his friend, since my fiancé is the one with the obvious reason to make the trip. Shoukd I scan my visa so that he can print it out and have it with him when he crosses in case they question it?

- I know that processing on the way back will likely take under an hour, but does anyone know where his friend will have to go or what he'll do while he's waiting?

- I'm bringing my cat, who has all of his vaccination documentation, and I know that they'll ask me to bring him in with us. Do they just look at the documentation and clear pets, or will they take him out of his crate to get a better look at him? He has claws and is going to be very, very, very unhappy, to the point that I'm trying to figure out what I can give him for slight sedation. Knowing whether or not they'll be taking him out of the crate will likely sway my decision one way or another because it would be better for everyone involved if he was drowsy while going through that.

- I'm only going to have a carload of stuff but I'm a bit confused about the documentation I need. I'm planning to make lists, but which form, if any, do I have to fill out to go with them? Also, I'm going to be mailing some boxes of less valuable things right before I leave so that I'll arrive before they do. Do I have to show documentation about those too? Will I even be asked?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry for all of the questions, but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row. This part kind of sneaks up on you and you suddenly realize how much you have to get done before you leave. I couldn't be more excited, though!

So I have never crossed at that crossing but it is pretty much the same everywhere by car.

They should have no issue with them crossing into Canada as they are just visiting and coming back. As long as none of them have any sort of criminal record and have valid passports to cross. Criminal record could be anything even like a DUI which I have seen cause people coming into Canada an issue.

If you want them to have a copy of your Visa then go for it just to be safe don't offer it unless asked. Just be honest about anything asked.

As for crossing back into the US, they are going to make the car pull into the inspection area and make you all go inside. Inside there is a waiting area and they can wait there while dealing with all your paperwork. They should have zero issue with them crossing back into the US. I drove across with a truck and my Dad from Canada driving with me (we drove all the way to Texas so he didn't want me driving alone and he then flew home) and he is Canadian and they didn't have any issue with it. No one actually talked to him if I remember right. So I don't think an American going back into the US will be much of a problem.