Okay, so here's the lesson, in case anyone missed it: When you enter another country as a tourist, they have to be reasonably certain that you are, indeed a tourist, who intends to leave rather than someone who is trying to enter illegally. For that reason, it's important when traveling across an international border, to be able to demonstrate a clear plan of exit and how you have the means to be traveling - another sign you may be seeking entry for work purposes, as opposed to leisure. That's all. The questions were extremely standard, actually. Also, check what is and isn't considered a weapon in the country you're entering. Rules are strict when going over International borders. Most places have VERY different attitudes on the right to bear arms than the US. Live and learn. Better planning and better luck next time :)
The Canadian guy was very rude at us. We were crossing the boarder to British Columbia. He asked us with we had job. Yes I am nurse and my son works in a lawyer offices. Then he asked us why we were coming to Canada so I told that I wanted to celebrate my birthday in Canada. Then he left us to cross.
PART 3 Prohibited Weapons Former Prohibited Weapons Order, No. 1 1 Any device designed to be used for the purpose of injuring, immobilizing or otherwise incapacitating any person by the discharge therefrom of (a) tear gas, Mace or other gas, or (b) any liquid, spray, powder or other substance that is capable of injuring, immobilizing or otherwise incapacitating any person.
I was thinking about this telecommuting thing being considered "working in Canada." I think Canada should update their rules. If the corporate headquarters of their employer is in the United States, if the paycheck is printed in the United States, if the taxes are deducted for the U.S. IRS and an American state, the person is *not* taking a job away from a Canadian. Instead, the worker is taking money from an American company to pay Canadians for his gas, his food, his oil changes, his camper site rent, etc. These are arguably the *best* people to have in Canada. For two months, they would be taking money from *outside* of Canada to spend *in* Canada.
I am sorry you were turned away. I ended up in secondary inspection in Windsor, Ontario, for a planned few-hour visit to a restaurant a few months ago.
The point is that you raised suspicions of being illegal immigrants. You cannot enter a foreign country where you do not hold citizenship or legal permanent residence and just "go with the flow' with no date to leave the country.
Denied because you had pepper spray? Why couldn't they just take it? I crossed the Canadian border once. They were horrible to me. I will never go again. Grilled me about where I was going and who I was going to be hanging out with. I think the lady was just in a bad mood that day. They act like it's something special. I hear about denials all the time.. I swear they just don't want anyone coming there.
Sad story but you should know that crossing from one country to the other no matter how close of proximity it is to you needs preparation. Maybe being American passport holders makes one forget this reality, but coming from an African country and I eventually moved to Canada to live and work I know that some of this questions you were asked should have been better prepared for especially when are you going back, ambiguous 2 months with no date is a red flag for boarder patrol and second red flag is no physical address and jobs to go back to. Next time do your homework better.
I once crossed into the US just to get a chocolate bar that's not available in our Kingdom. OMG out of the vehicle, frisked, dog all through the car. I did find that if you didn't pay attention to the old red neck he would boils over but a simple sorry would work....repeat as necessary. Only time I ever had an issue. I used to cross Peace Arch all the time and Point Roberts. Gets time. The came 9-11 talk about an instance turn around. It's a shame. It was Canada that took most of the planes that were being evacuated from US airspace. Funny at the end of the day US have only one real friend and that is Canada. But they seem to out of their way to piss us off. I'm bigger than you syndrome I guess. My brother Americans are welcome to my country any time just do a little research before coming.
Americans should realize they are crossing OUR southern border and considering how they treat people at their southern border they should have more respect for our rules. Floating around our country for 2 months makes YOU migrants.
You were proposing to, or suggesting that you could, work in Canada. As a visitor, you're not allowed to work, for that you need a work permit. Add to that the lack of a permanent base in the US and it begins to be obvious why they had doubts that you'd return home. Fair play to you both, though, you didn't go off on the border people; you're right, they were only doing their jobs.
Try again next summer.. next time 1) use your parents place as a home base, thst is where your stuff is. 2) don't bring in bear or pepper spray... we do have that in Canada lol. Buy it when your in the country. 3) have a plan of where your going to go. 4) have a set date to be back. Make sure you share your itinerary of where your going to be with booked camping spots, and proff of vurtual employment. You can't be vague when coming here. You need clean answers. Better luck next time.
have never traveled across the border so I'm just curious could they have not driven into another state and tried to cross the border into another province lessons learned?
But you are not allowed to work in Canada. So you must provide evidence of financial support while in Canada and you must also have a set return date and a credible connection to your country of origin (for example, a permanent address and a job in the USA). Clearly the couple was flagged as potential illegal immigrants.
Honestly you're not missing anything, everything is more than double the price and there isn't really that much to be seen that you can't already get in the United States. In my opinion the USA has 100x more to offer In terms of national parks and various attractions. As a Canadian I'm always looking for opportunities to travel into the United States and explore everything It has to offer. You're denial into Canada is a blessing in disguise.
Went to USA as a Canadian many years ago. The US Border guy says, "Where are you staying tonight?" "Oh, I don't know. Depends how far I get driving. When I get tired, I'll pull over, and get a hotel or a motel room", I replied. "Wrong answer. We need to know where you will be staying the first night. I will let you go this time, but next time you need to let us know where you will be staying the first night in US". "OK, will do. Thank you. Bye".
Canada is really worried about people coming there and staying, competing with their workers. The first time I went I had to post a 1k USD bond and this was back in 1982 when I was heading to Alaska.
i flew into amsterdam one time and they had a set of bleachers to the right of the custom booths for people like this. u cant enter another country without a return date. everyone who had a 1 way flight were sent to the bleachers. always say less than 30 days. I say 25 myself . say anything other than i dont know.
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As for pepper spray, since it is a prohibited weapon, that is more concerning that a registered rifle, as long as you declare the rifle. The pepper spray is considered prohibited and even declaring it upon request is suspicious. In their eyes, why would you be trying to bring in or even carrying a prohibited weapon? It's all so arbitrary.
You're getting lots of good advice. I would add though that if you are not working, not true but was what they were thinking, show you have the funds available for your trip. This is from the CAN GOV'T site: "Funds. The border services officer may also ask for proof of funds. You must present a statement of your bank account issued no more than 1 week before your departure for Canada."
I know going into Spain is sketchy as well. Having an itinerary is a really good idea, even if you're staying in the RV. And showing you have the funds to pay for your trip, plus health insurance which shows the dates of << how long it's active >> are also good things to add, and could have calmed down his concerns about returning home. The fact you have a method to return to the the States is your strong suit, and IMO he should have considered that. I was denied into the States because I went across on a bus with no return ticket to show. In a car, it was no problem. it really sucks you couldn't spend a great time travelling through the country.
This is a very sad experience. Sorry for that. It seems to me that you were denied to Canada probably because you were not very well prepared. For them, you probably didn’t do any research for what you can bring and what you cannot bring into Canada (like you would do for any other country). Border agent don’t like to have to educate people, and they just have showed you that you have some homework to do before coming to Canada. Bear spray are banned at the border, this a very easy information to get, especially in the RV world. If you have bear spray in your RV, you could have many other things that you didn’t think of. It was probably why they become suspicious about you guys. (and begin a deeper investigation). And when they realize that you couldn’t give a clear itinerary of your 2 month in Canada, it was probably a sign for them that you were not well prepared. I agree with you, tourism is not always well prepared. But like for any border in the world…. you are kind of guilty until proven innocent. (not sure that the analogy if very good) Many other reasons would deny you entry to Canada. A criminal record for things you did when you were young, or for DUY that you commit at your high school graduation party. (Same for a Canadian going to US) I wonder: could it be also be because the denied was to avoid having to confiscate things that are very normal to US citizen and not for Canadians? (hand gun, military type rifle, illegal knife etc.). Couldn’t be that they actually did you a favor by denying you entry to Canada instead of confiscating some more valuable objects? They certainly keep a record of this event into their computer, but did you ask when you would be allow to try passing the border again? The day after, a week, a month, etc? Also, just an observation, take of your glasses at the border, the agent needs to see your eyes. (and it is more polite anyway)
