Crossing US Border by land: passport requirement

[MexiQuebecois]

Originally Posted by spongeg

i look arab to some people and depending on the border guard i can get a hard time - when i travel with my pakistani friend across the border - he is a canadian citizen with a canadian passport we usually get loads of questions

Originally Posted by Marbur66

My brother's fiancee is Mexican (light-skinned, but still) and she gets hassled at the Buffalo and Sarnia crossings every time.

Exactly what I picture happening if I ever attempt to cross as a Canadian citizen in the future. I don't think I'd have the patience to deal with the discrimination. It's not like I'm that interested in crossing all the time to shop, but I'd like to visit NYC and other places.

[Taller, Better]

Gay men have long gotten used to discrimination at the US border crossings. A person has no choice but to play their games if you want into their country. Once you are rejected; that's it.. you are on their computer system as ineligible for re-entry. My advice is to have patience crossing and all will be well in the end!

[MexiQuebecois]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Gay men have long gotten used to discrimination at the US border crossings. A person has no choice but to play their games if you want into their country. Once you are rejected; that's it.. you are on their computer system as ineligible for re-entry. My advice is to have patience crossing and all will be well in the end!

Good point. Oh well, it will be a long time before I ever decide to visit the USA again anyway. I should be getting news regarding my permanent residence application to Canada in 2 weeks!

[Taller, Better]

That will be a big day of celebration! When would you move to Canada?

[MexiQuebecois]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

That will be a big day of celebration! When would you move to Canada?

Approximately a month after I get my confirmation of permanent residence. There are two possible scenarios that will develop in the next couple of weeks.

Best case scenario: I get contacted in a few weeks with a passport request. I have my visa the next day and can land any day after that (you don't actually become a permanent resident until you "land" in Canada)

Worst case scenario: I get contacted and I'm asked to submit a final document (not even CIC knows whether I'll need it or not) This document would delay my application another month or two.

Confirmations of permanent residence have an expiration date. It's either the expiration date on your passport, or a year after the medical exams were done; whichever comes first. Since my passport expires until 2015, it will be based on my medical exams, which were done in April 29, 2012. So I have until April 29, 2013 to land.

I'm hoping late September/October I'd hate to have to land in the middle of winter!

[vid]

If you do land in the middle of winter, though, that is less winter to have to deal with.

[MexiQuebecois]

Originally Posted by vid

If you do land in the middle of winter, though, that is less winter to have to deal with.

True, but going apartment hunting in the middle of a Montreal winter can be a terrifying experience.

[Taller, Better]

Are you moving directly to Mtl, or living for a bit in Hamilton?

[MexiQuebecois]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Are you moving directly to Mtl, or living for a bit in Hamilton?

I'll be in Hamilton for a week or two maximum. Since my plan is to settle in Québec, I have to register with the Health board over there, and the fact that I don't have a Québec Selection Certificate (because I'm landing in Ontario) would hinder my tuition costs in the future. I can access Québec tuition fees, but I can't live in any province for more than 3 months as soon as I land.

My SIN is given to me the same day I go to Service Canada, the card with the number arrives a week after. and the Permanent Resident Card is taking 46 business days after landing. So my in-laws will receive it and mail it out to me

[Taller, Better]

Fantastic! I'll bet the wee wifey is pretty excited!

[MexiQuebecois]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Fantastic! I'll bet the wee wifey is pretty excited!

Oh definitely! though somewhat scared at the fact that she's moving to a new city and she'll have to learn a new language. She doesn't believe me that Montreal is awesome, maybe once she moves there after a while she'll realize it's better than Hamilton No offence for Hamiltonians, it's a great place in its own way, just not for me.

I'll let you know when I'm around the area.

[Taller, Better]

Do! I will show you around a bit.

[spearhead]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Gay men have long gotten used to discrimination at the US border crossings. A person has no choice but to play their games if you want into their country. Once you are rejected; that's it.. you are on their computer system as ineligible for re-entry. My advice is to have patience crossing and all will be well in the end!

This is true.

Better come clean than being banned, blacklisted.

Also, you cannot just blame the system for holding the "arab looking" tourists sometimes. It now comes natural since the war on terror started. It's all about making sure this north american continent is free from terrorrist attacks, but that doesnt mean the system is branding certain group of people as terrorrists. In fact there are also non-arab looking homegrown terrorrists too deep inside the US as well.