Separation - Moving back to Canada (be kind please)

[Going through 5,671]

37 minutes ago, Flames9_RN said:

May be, but I am certain, one has to contact some "authority" to ensure ones entry back into Canada has been recorded so the 90 day wait period is recorded.  Not all provinces have that 90 day period, but some do

I've wondered about this as well---especially how OHIP, etc. would know when one has fulfilled the residency requirement to get coverage.   Although I would expect utility bills, lease, pay stubs etc. covering the wait period would suffice since that is what the Service Canada website says is required to apply, if I remember correctly.  OP said she was due to begin work almost immediately after arriving in Canada so she'd have employer-based paperwork.

 

Unless border officials are going to issue the declarer some sort of written and stamped official proof that they made some sort of verbal declaration to them, which I don't foresee happening...since the OP becomes a resident the day they arrive back with or without any formal declaration.

 

A simple quick way, I suppose, if she really wanted it "recorded" somehow, she could press POE to stamp her Canadian passport upon reentry...hey that's a good idea, I might end up doing that myself!

 

EDIT TO ADD:  Then again, the passport stamp wouldn't carry much weight since Canadians rarely get their passports stamped anyhow so it could be suggested she left afterwards without a stamp...I'm thinking way too much about this now...

Edited January 22, 2018 by Going through

[Flames9_RN 358]

I only bring this up as I recall someone awhile back (like 2004 or 2005) mentioning this here on VJ. Rules could have easily have changed.

[Veronik 19]

17 hours ago, Flames9_RN said:

I only bring this up as I recall someone awhile back (like 2004 or 2005) mentioning this here on VJ. Rules could have easily have changed.

Thank you and thank you Going through for the help and tips.

 

I have one last thing to run by you guys. I had booked a trip to Europe a few months back, before things went downhill at the speed of sound, and I'm trying to figure out what to do.

Right now the flights leave form Boston to the destination, and I'd like to have it changed so I can leave from Montreal. Here are some scenarios, let me know what you think would be best:

- Get the flights changed to Montreal, and cancel his flight (I don't really care how much it'll cost at this point)

- Keep the flight leaving from Boston and just say at the gate that he couldn't make it BUT I'm nervous about crossing the border again after moving. I'm paranoid about things to start with, and I would hate to be refused in the country and miss this flight.

*And no I didn't take travel insurance, and yes I'm VERY VERY stupid and have learned my lesson*

 

Let me know what you think

[Veronik 19]

I just checked and there's no direct flights out of Montreal, so here's an "edited" question:

 

I've decided to go on the trip on my own since I booked it and everything, but I want to cancel his flight. Should I just do that at the gate on the day I'm leaving? Or should I contact the airline to cancel his flight? Not going to lie, it might be nice to have that extra seat beside me for my things.

 

Also, since I have a high tendency with paranoia, I'm scared I'll be turned away at the border since I left. I'll make sure I send the abandonment of lawful permanent resident status. Am I right to think that since I'm not a criminal, I'll be able to go through the border to catch my flight to Europe from Boston? Is there anyone out there with any experience with this? Am I right to think that at that point (the trip is in May) I'll be just another Canadian, coming through the border for travel reason?

 

[Going through 5,671]

7 minutes ago, Veronik said:

Am I right to think that since I'm not a criminal, I'll be able to go through the border to catch my flight to Europe from Boston?

Technically, there's no right of entry into the US for anyone except US citizens...not being a criminal doesn't mean they can't stop you from crossing the border, in other words.  With that said, you shouldn't really have an issue.

 

9 minutes ago, Veronik said:

Should I just do that at the gate on the day I'm leaving? Or should I contact the airline to cancel his flight?

Personally, I would cancel the flight through the airline before the date of departure---depending on how you originally booked the ticket, you may be able to get some of the costs returned to you. 

 

13 minutes ago, Veronik said:

Not going to lie, it might be nice to have that extra seat beside me for my things.

The airline will just resell that seat to someone else, or if you cancel at the gate, give his seat to someone waiting on standby.

[Veronik 19]

22 minutes ago, Going through said:

Technically, there's no right of entry into the US for anyone except US citizens...not being a criminal doesn't mean they can't stop you from crossing the border, in other words.  With that said, you shouldn't really have an issue.

 

Personally, I would cancel the flight through the airline before the date of departure---depending on how you originally booked the ticket, you may be able to get some of the costs returned to you. 

 

The airline will just resell that seat to someone else, or if you cancel at the gate, give his seat to someone waiting on standby.

Thank you! I see what you mean, and I understand that technically I can be refused entry though unlikely. I'll just have to take a chance I guess! 

 

And I'll probably contact the airline to cancel his flight. 

 

Gosh, what a mess. I never EVER would have thought this would happen. But it is what it is.

[jle2234 68]

On 1/22/2018 at 3:09 PM, Going through said:

I've wondered about this as well---especially how OHIP, etc. would know when one has fulfilled the residency requirement to get coverage.   Although I would expect utility bills, lease, pay stubs etc. covering the wait period would suffice since that is what the Service Canada website says is required to apply, if I remember correctly.  OP said she was due to begin work almost immediately after arriving in Canada so she'd have employer-based paperwork.

 

Unless border officials are going to issue the declarer some sort of written and stamped official proof that they made some sort of verbal declaration to them, which I don't foresee happening...since the OP becomes a resident the day they arrive back with or without any formal declaration.

 

A simple quick way, I suppose, if she really wanted it "recorded" somehow, she could press POE to stamp her Canadian passport upon reentry...hey that's a good idea, I might end up doing that myself!

 

EDIT TO ADD:  Then again, the passport stamp wouldn't carry much weight since Canadians rarely get their passports stamped anyhow so it could be suggested she left afterwards without a stamp...I'm thinking way too much about this now...

We dealt with this some of these issues when my husband immigrated to Canada in 2013. You can request a paper copy of your entry records from Canadian Customs. They are quite prompt to get them to you, and it will show when you entered the country. If I recall correctly, we used these records and a few pieces of mail to prove the residency requirements for his OHIP.

[Veronik 19]

Ok, good. I'll make sure I ask that when I cross the border. Thank you everyone for the help and input.

[NikLR 13,227]

Cancel his flight ahead of time so that he a) doesnt show up and b) you get some money back.  If you can maybe you can use that to book a flight from Montreal to Boston and avoid the drive?

If he doesn't check in they can fill the seat anyhow.  

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yes def contact the Airline ASAP and explain the situation.  Few yrs back my inlaws booked a 3rd seat....was much cheaper than going business.....and this option gave them the extra room they desired.....Well it was a full flight and they lost that seat, as we all know airlines tend to overbook.  I believe they got their $$$ refunded.   I would cancel it just based on the fact her may just show up,lol  Have a good trip.

[Veronik 19]

Yeah, I think that might be the wisest decision, calling the airline. I'm finalizing a bunch of things this week and will start driving on Friday. I'm so nervous taking this drive with the cats (I'm leaving the dog to him after all). Just found out that almost no hotels let you stay with cats, so it's complicated things a bit. One of the only hotels that accept cats is La Quinta (in case this helps anyone).

Thank you everyone for the advice. I cannot wait for this week to be over. 

[Veronik 19]

I wanted to post an update for anyone that may be going through the same now or at some point. I made it back home to Canada last Sunday after two long driving days. I`m happy to be back here, though would rather not be doing so from scratch. Oh well!

I ended up not bringing my dog, but did come with my three cats. Here are some things I learned along the way of this journey, in case it comes in handy for anyone:

- I tried to get rid of any financial accounts or debts with my name on it. Note that for the checking accounts I had with my ex-husband in the US, only one of the joint owners was required to close the account at the bank.

- La Quinta Inn & Suites is one of the only hotel chains that allows cats. They also do not charge anything for pets. Lots of hotels allowed dogs, but I found almost none that allowed cats.

- Border crossing with the three cats was easy for me. The agent did not look at the animals or the papers I had brought for them (paws-port, etc). I asked for him to stamp my passport in case I need proof of entry for anything.

- I contacted Services Canada to enquired about my SIN and it was not dormant and good to go for work

- For Quebec residents, I contacted the SAAQ and got an ppointment to transfer my license over (6 weeks away), and called to get my health insurance card process on the way (will be elligible in May). Side note; my driver`s license will be under my married name until divorce, but health card will remain under my maiden`s name. Don`t waste your time going to a CLSC to get a health card; you have to call to get the process under way.

 

Thanks everyone for your advice and I hope this comes in handy for anyone.

[Ontarkie 14,222]

Glad you made it home. Sorry you have to go through all this to begin with.

[NikLR 13,227]

Wishing you the very best.  Thank you for updating.