Canadian refused entry - when can he try again?

[canadian_wife 1,823]

This is just from a quick google search.  After I was denied entry, I made sure I had most of these.  When I was finally permitted to enter, I was restricted to only 2 weeks.  

• Job/Career
  • Letter from your employer stating duties, salary and tenure duration
  • Pay Stubs
  • Permission Letter for Taking Time Off
• College Enrollment
  • Student ID Card
• Business You Own
  • Bank Statements Showing Revenue
  • Articles of Incorporation
• Spouse & Kids
  • Birth Certificates
  • Photos
  • Marriage Certificate
• Other Dependents
  • Affidavits
  • Photos
• Volunteer Work & Organization Memberships
  • Documentation Demonstrating They Depend on You
• Assets
  • Deeds to Land You Own
  • Title to Vehicles You Own
  • Bank Accounts With Significant Balances

Good luck 

[Mike E 11,741]

12 hours ago, Msc75 said:

I’m afraid did everything wrong. He only had a one-way ticket (didn’t book return yet since he’s waiting on quarantine rules to return to Canada to relax),

 

Actually he did this right.  
 

First, the US Carrier Information  Guide that CBP publishes requires proof of onward / return air tickets only for people using the visa waiver.  Canadians are visa exempt. 
 

Second, to fly from the USA (or from anywhere) to Canada requires spending $900 on a mandatory detention in a hotel.  It is not uncommon these days  for Canadians fly to the USA and drive or walk back across the border.  CBP knows it.
 

As long as the fake border closure is in place, what he should have are two one way tickets: a one way ticket from Canada to the USA.  And then a one way ticket from his destination in the USA to a USA city near the Canadian border, with a credible plan for crossing the border, including his 2 week quarantine plan that CBSA will want to see when he returns by land. 
 

For example, if he lives in Montreal, which is 30 miles away from Champlain NY US border crossing, he could fly to USA from Montreal, and book a second one way to Plattsburgh (yes I know the airport is closed through June).  Then rent a car in Plattsburgh one way to drive  either to Champlain NY and walk across into Quebec or take his chances with CBSA letting him drive a rental car with US plates to  Montreal (if the car has Canadian plates no problem).  Personally I would  have my car parked near the border in Canada, and just drive to border from Plattsburgh.  

 

12 hours ago, Msc75 said:

My questions: 

1. When can he try again? He’s contemplating getting more documentation and buying a round trip ticket to US this time before giving up and returning to Montreal.

 

He can try when he has more ties to Canada. 
 

12 hours ago, Msc75 said:

2. What additional documents would help? He can probably get a letter of employment from his Canadian agency, add more funds to his bank account, and show rental history of 10+ years at his current residence. What else? 

 

 

As long as he is a free lancer with  clients in the USA, it isn’t going to change anything.
 

12 hours ago, Msc75 said:

3. Would a letter from me as a US citizen saying I and my husband will be financially responsible for his stay help or hurt his chances? 
 

Hurt.  
 

Now ask yourself if CBP were to go through his phone and see the emails and text messages between  between you and your friend, is there a possibility CBP would interpret a romantic relationship? If so, it would bring even more harm to his request to be admitted as a tourist into the USA.  
 

12 hours ago, Msc75 said:

4. If he gets denied again for trying twice in a short time, would he get a longer ban?

He hasn’t been banned yet.  If he keeps trying without making fundamental changes in his work life, he might get there.  
 

The next time he attempts to enter the USA it should be from same Canadian preclearance airport that rejected him previously, lest he gets accused of port shopping.  

[Reebsrae 17]

18 hours ago, FeelingYoung66 said:

I'm following this because my 24 yr old step-son (Canadian citizen living in Toronto) will be attempting to cross into the U.S. at Pearson airport next month for an extended visit to see us at our home in Texas (two months at least). He is single and will be traveling alone, probably on a one-way ticket because he isn't sure when he will want to return and also because he will be watching to see if the mandatory three-day hotel requirement goes away. He will have just graduated from his second degree program a few days before traveling and has no job in Canada to show the border officer for a tie back to Canada. He lives in Toronto with his girlfriend and their lease does indeed have both names on it.. but that really shows no kind of intent, does it. I'm now wondering if he might have the same problem crossing that your friend had?

Alberta hasn't signed up to the Contraventions Act. One way he can avoid quarantine is to enter through Calgary and take a domestic flight after arrival and clearance through customs, however it will need to be different than layover. I suggest he get a hotel for one night for the cost of $80. 

I found out about this after my $2k stay in a hotel in Calgary. Multiple friends have skipped out on it, no issues. 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-quarantine-contraventions-act-international-travel-1.6022781

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

10 hours ago, Msc75 said:

Thanks for the opinions. I was most curious to know if there's a difference between trying again with more paperwork in a week as opposed to 3 months later, if his circumstances are the same. 

 

If there's a list of documents that might tip the scale in his favor, I'd love to know that. Would cushioning his bank account help? He has a larger chunk of money he can transfer from Paypal (which is where he gets paid through). 

 

Ironic thing is he worked for immigration in Canada for 6 years and says he's seen this happen hundreds of times on the other side of the border, but never thought it would happen to him. He last visited the US 2 years ago for couple weeks with no issues and he was a freelancer then too. He says he was never questioned before. The only difference was that his ticket wasn't one way then,  and it was before covid. The one way ticket was because he didn't know when the quarantine would be lifted but was obviously not a well thought out move in hindsight. 

There’s no quarantine requirement in the US though. He needs to have a negative covid test - that’s all.

[YYZ&MIA 117]

Hi there, I was also denied entry once for the same reason as you and was given the following form which I will attach below. I think it might be helpful to many. My case was a bit different but I also didnt have a return ticket because I didnt think it was a big deal and I was so wrong. Unfortunately now youre probably flagged in their system so you really should get your documents together before attempting to cross again. I think your biggest problem is your job as it doesnt rly tie you to Canada bc as you mentioned you can work from anywhere. You also said youre visiting your friend... are they a friend or a potential romantic relationship. Whatever it is, make sure youre not lying to them bc CBP can take your phone and they will find out the truth and then youre really screwed.

After the denial I was able to gather my documents in a couple days and crossed after a couple days and was admitted. I hope that helps. Unfortunately, I think it depends on what type of CBP officer you get. Good luck. 

 

[Msc75 0]

7 minutes ago, YYZ&MIA said:

"After the denial I was able to gather my documents in a couple days and crossed after a couple days and was admitted. I hope that helps. Unfortunately, I think it depends on what type of CBP officer you get. Good luck. "

This is very helpful, thank you! The person in question is a friend, I'm married to someone else, there's no romantic relationship  We're planning a group get together and vacation in the summer and he's the only Canadian in the bunch. I initiated this whole trip and now I feel responsible. My friend can get all the documents except for showing employment in Canada unfortunately, since his freelancing doesn't require to be physically present in Canada. All he can show are past payment receipts from Canada and Europe agencies. 

 

7 minutes ago, YYZ&MIA said:

 

 

 

 

 

[YYZ&MIA 117]

1 minute ago, Msc75 said:

This is very helpful, thank you! The person in question is a friend, I'm married to someone else, there's no romantic relationship  We're planning a group get together and vacation in the summer and he's the only Canadian in the bunch. I initiated this whole trip and now I feel responsible. My friend can get all the documents except for showing employment in Canada unfortunately, since his freelancing doesn't require to be physically present in Canada. All he can show are past payment receipts from Canada and Europe agencies. 

 

 

 

Thank you for clarifying! Thats great. What I think would really help is any proof of your summer plans - such as booked hotels, event tickets or anything like that. plus of course a return ticket and as many of the things on the list as your friend can collect. Also, I hear from people that crossing via land as opposed to air is "easier" and the CBP are more lenient. 

[Msc75 0]

2 minutes ago, YYZ&MIA said:

 Also, I hear from people that crossing via land as opposed to air is "easier" and the CBP are more lenient. 

Thanks again! But isn't the land border to US closed for non-essential travel during covid? 

[canadian_wife 1,823]

2 hours ago, YYZ&MIA said:

Thank you for clarifying! Thats great. What I think would really help is any proof of your summer plans - such as booked hotels, event tickets or anything like that. plus of course a return ticket and as many of the things on the list as your friend can collect. Also, I hear from people that crossing via land as opposed to air is "easier" and the CBP are more lenient. 

 

Both of my denials were at land borders so I can say this is not the case. 

 

Good luck