Visiting the USA (non business)

Like I'd want to stay illegally. Not to be rude, because I like visiting the USA, but I don't want to live there. I love Canada, can't help it!

This is a concept they do not understand. America is the best country in the world. Therefore you must want to stay there if you can. This is how they think.

If you ever get sent to secondary inspection at Sweetgrass, do not speak to them until spoken to. There are no signs at the counter telling you to wait (or anything else for that matter), they just sit there and ignore you, just sit down until someone calls you. Most of them live in the trailer park next to the border crossing, you're not dealing with the brain trust.

It's always a shock to me when I drive down to Montana, Alberta is all cultivated in that area and green, as soon as you cross the border you feel as though you've been teleported into an episode of the X-files, just endless fields of yellow grass as far as the eye can see. Calgary has a larger population than the entire State.

I know they're just doing their job, I mean.they have to protect the borders, it's their role. I'd ask lots of questions too if I was in their position.

I guess this whole discussion just makes me bummed out, how it's all in someone else's hands - possibility of getting denied despite having all the ties in the world to Canada and being honest to a fault, etc, etc. Which is a shame, as I do care about him a lot but it's still a new relationship.

Oh well, not much I can do at this point but just see what happens.

Zackly. You'll never know if you don't try.

Mr. Dressup taught us all that!

Whew! I'm so glad I found this post. I've never flown to the States and am planning a trip soon and would never have thought about half of this. I had no idea they were to strict about everything!

Really awesome idea about bringing the letter from the employer and utility bills and things. Any tips on keeping your sh*t together when you're getting grilled? I have a feeling I'd get all nervous and suspicious-looking even though my trip is completely harmless without any 'illegal alien' intentions.

Has anyone here ever been denied entry in the airport while having things like employer letters, bills, proof of stability and 'reason to come back' here?

If you're only going on vacation for a couple of weeks it's rarely a problem, they'll ask a few simple questions, who are you employed by, where do you live, do you have a return flight booked, etc.

The longer you stay the more suspicious they get. If you say you're entering for six months or something like that, that's when you need heavy-duty evidence of proof of funds, proof of abode in Canada that you have no intention of abandoning etc.

Also depends on what you bring with you. If you have four bulging suitcases together with your pet bird in a cage and say you're staying for two weeks, they're obviously going to be more suspicious than if you have a knapsack.

One thing I've noticed trips up a lot of people is proof of funds. Credit cards and ATM cards mean nothing to CBP.

If you're only going on vacation for a couple of weeks it's rarely a problem, they'll ask a few simple questions, who are you employed by, where do you live, do you have a return flight booked, etc.

One thing I've noticed trips up a lot of people is proof of funds. Credit cards and ATM cards mean nothing to CBP.

Even if it's just for a quick vacation? How much do they expect you to go with without getting suspicious? That seems silly... I'd prefer to just put everything on a Visa than go to a bank and do the whole money exchange song and dance.

Proof of funds doesn't mean cash necessarily, sometimes I take a recent bank statement with me. I did get a letter from the bank manager once.

If you're clearly going on vacation for a couple of weeks they're never likely to ask imx, it does come up if you're staying longer or it looks like you might be staying longer for whatever reason (lots of luggage, non-vacation type destination etc.)

I've been asked for a business card to show proof of employment outside the country a few times.

I have actually been told by CBP that unless you have cashy money on you, you could be considered "vagrant" and unable ot support your trip and they could deny your entry.

BUT, as Steven said, for a short vacation of just 2 weeks, they are unlikely to ask you about funds, unless you have 16 suitcases full and you're going somewhere not considered a "vacation spot".

IMO, it is a good idea though to carry a couple hundred $$ in cash on you at the very least. IF they do ask you about money, their requisite reply to "I use my credit card" is "Well, what if it doesn't work, then what?"