Is taking a professional exam a valid reason to enter US?

Hi: I am a canadian citizen, a single lady. Is going to take a pharmacy professional exam ( Foreign pharmacy graduate equivalence exam ) a valid reason to enter the US for 4 days only ? I am go...

Canadian Expatriate and Travellers Forum Index -> Canadians in the USA -> US Visas and Immigration

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wishtopass
Junior Member

Joined: 03 Jun 2008
Posts: 10
Location: canada

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:28 pm

Hi:

I am a canadian citizen, a single lady. Is going to take a pharmacy professional exam ( Foreign pharmacy graduate equivalence exam ) a valid reason to enter the US for 4 days only ? I am going to rent a hotel in US to stay for a few days and can provide hotel address if being asked by US border. If I tell them I have a job in Canada and my parents are in canada ( another canadian province ), so if they ask me I can show them pay cheques and T4 , my car insurance certificate and car vehicle ownership certificate, and I have bank account ( show my debit card with TD bank etc )in canada to prove that I have a job here in canada and no intention to look for a job or stay long in US, would US border normally let me in US to take the exam? What do I say at the border so they will let me in the US for just taking the exam and will leave in 4 days back to canada .

Would they reject me to enter US because I like to take the exam and stay for 4 days only?

Any advice?

coolazn
New Member

Joined: 05 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Toronto

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:08 am

Hi there,

Why would you even bother mentioning all that? Just say you are visiting US for a week or so. And tell them you will be staying in a hotel for your stay during the visit. As long as you have a Canadian Passport you can enter USA for a quick trip.

Reba
Moderator

Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1306
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 4:35 am

I don't see why they wouldn't let you in, but as coolazn said, you really don't even need to mention any of that stuff. Just tell them you're there for a short 4 day visit and that's it. They would only deny you entry if you tell them all that stuff and they'd be thinking you're there to write the exam and then go look for a job.
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wishtopass
Junior Member

Joined: 03 Jun 2008
Posts: 10
Location: canada

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:59 pm

Hi:

Approaching the US border, I will be asked about what is the purpose of the trip? I am a single lady and canadian citizen. If I say just just go there for a short visit in US for a few days , would they ask who am I going to visit? it may be hard to believe, unless I say I will only visit my friend in US and give them my friend's address and say will be there for 4 days without mentioning the exam.( i will be likely to visit my friend anyway after the exam ). But what if the US border find out I am going to take the US exam for this trip by searching my bag and find my exam admission ticket in my bag , then they thought I am not honest and I may be in trouble. In the future, when I apply for a job after passing this exam say a year later or so and need to apply for a work visa, is there any way they may trace back to find out I had taken the pharmacy exam during any US trip before?

I am not going to volunteer any information. And, I am only taking the exam without any intention of job searching at this moment in this trip. But if I would be asked what is the purpose of this US trip, can I say I am just going to take a pharmacy exam in US and will stay for 4 days and give them the hotel address I have rented the room? They may then ask me if I have a job in canada, and I will say yes. If that's the case, would the US border normally let me in the US to take the pharmacy exam? Would I be rejected because of telling them the purpose of this trip is to take the pharmacy exam?

Any advice would be welcome. I am very confused and don't know what to do.

Wish to pass.

Reba
Moderator

Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1306
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:36 am

The best policy in life is never tell a lie. You'll always get caught in it later.

When they ask you are you going for business or pleasure, say "business". No need to elaborate on anything unless they ask. If they ask what is the business, you answer "I'm taking a pharmacy business exam". If they ask why you can't take the exam in Canada, answer them. Which, if I undrstand your other post correctly, you're taking this exam so that you can get a job in the US, is that right?
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voyager6868
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 56
Location: Waterloo

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:48 pm

I don't think it's that different from going to a job interview in the US. I did so a month ago and had no problems. The border guard just mentioned that if I end up wanting to work there then I'll need the appropriate status, etc.

If you lie and get caught, they'll think you're up to something suspicious. I don't think you have anything to worry about if you tell them the truth.

gescores
Junior Member

Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Virginia

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:54 pm

Last time I went to the US was for a job interview, and that is exactly what I told the officer. he did not bother asking anything else really except to know where I will be staying. Guess what was my answer? In a hotel Sir!

You really don't need to worry about that and you don't need a visa.