6 Months in Canada & 6 Months in US

[MC]

She will not have any visa.. or any job.. shell just be visiting my relatives, as they have not seen each other for 10+ years. Will she have to bring anything with her. Will she have any problems coming back to Canada?

It should not be a problem returning to Canada especially if admitted into the U.S.

However, I think sometimes there is a bit of a misconception between the U.S. and Canadian sides. Some individuals don't realize it is not only CBP that cares why you are in the U.S. Canada Customs and Border Protection also cares why you are in the U.S. as evidenced by some of the interactions that go on when crossing back into Canada at the various ports.

Some are lead off into secondary inspection on the Canadian side as well when things don't quite check out or seem right. Just be honest and have your passport ready when crossing and all should go well.

[Reba]

She really should have a return ticket. Even if she was only telling them she's going for 2 weeks, without a return ticket they could very well deny her entry based on suspicion that she will be trying to stay illegally.

A return ticket can be changed for a small fee in most cases to a different date. I'd strongly suggest she gets a return ticket.

How can she "own" a car that isn't in her name?

I would also strongly suggest that if she has health problems that she needs to buy travelers health insurance. You REALLY don't want to be caught sick in the US without any insurance! OHIP won't cover all of a hospital stay, and she'd be stuck with the rest of the bill, which can quickly reach the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even a quick trip to the ER can cost well over $1000 just for a shot in the ass for a migraine.

[agnelson]

Yeah, and I always wonder why people ask "will I have trouble coming back to canada", like the Cdn border officer can stop you from entering canada.

The problem is getting into US, either this time, or -- more likely -- the next time.

Flying down on a one-way ticket is always a red flag, as Reba sez. Now it may not result in being turned back, but it probably will result in the issuance of a short-date I-94. In other words, not having a return ticket will probably mean a forced return earlier than she had hoped.

[CanadianRN]

"However, I think sometimes there is a bit of a misconception between the U.S. and Canadian sides. Some individuals don't realize it is not only CBP that cares why you are in the U.S. Canada Customs and Border Protection also cares why you are in the U.S. as evidenced by some of the interactions that go on when crossing back into Canada at the various ports."

I'm curious as to why MC wrote the above statement. Why does Customs Canada really care what you're doing in the states if you are a Canadian Citizen. Thanks for clarifying. never sure why Canadians get a hard time returning.

[agnelson]

The major reason that CBSA cares is that Cdns living in US and Cdns living in canada enter canada under completely different duty and tariff conditions.

So, when they ask you were you live, they are ascertaining whether they need to be, for example, taxing any goods you bring back, are properly reporting this car your driving, etc.

[CanadianRN]

Thank you as always Agnelson!