Do I have to leave Canada to enter Canada?
December 4, 2009 2:00 PM Subscribe
Can I visit a Canadian border station without leaving Canada?
Long story short: wife (U.S. citizen) needs to renew a temporary resident permit (TRP) to stay in Canada, we screwed up the paperwork, and there's a 4-6 month wait to process these things.
But she has an immigration interview in New York in January; we have to leave the country (obviously) for it. We'd much rather have a fresh TRP than have her try to re-enter Canada with an expired TRP and an explanation of how we screwed up the extension paperwork.
We live very close to a border station, and were considering just driving down and -- since it's where the TRP was initially issued -- seeing if they could issue another one rather than mailing everything back to the government. It's the same money and requirements there on the spot as it is far away.
BUT... she has "implied status" while she lives in Canada, since the extension hasn't been REFUSED, just on hold until we re-submit the appropriate paperwork. We don't want to LEAVE the country and re-enter to see them at the immigration desk, because if they can't renew the TRP, she might not be allowed back in. Period.
So: do we have to LEAVE Canada to see the people at an immigration station on the U.S. border? Or is it allowable to drive/walk over to it from the Canadian side and visit without leaving Canada?
This is most probably the station by Stanstead, if it makes a difference: Derby Line, VT on the American side.
Long story short: wife (U.S. citizen) needs to renew a temporary resident permit (TRP) to stay in Canada, we screwed up the paperwork, and there's a 4-6 month wait to process these things.
But she has an immigration interview in New York in January; we have to leave the country (obviously) for it. We'd much rather have a fresh TRP than have her try to re-enter Canada with an expired TRP and an explanation of how we screwed up the extension paperwork.
We live very close to a border station, and were considering just driving down and -- since it's where the TRP was initially issued -- seeing if they could issue another one rather than mailing everything back to the government. It's the same money and requirements there on the spot as it is far away.
BUT... she has "implied status" while she lives in Canada, since the extension hasn't been REFUSED, just on hold until we re-submit the appropriate paperwork. We don't want to LEAVE the country and re-enter to see them at the immigration desk, because if they can't renew the TRP, she might not be allowed back in. Period.
So: do we have to LEAVE Canada to see the people at an immigration station on the U.S. border? Or is it allowable to drive/walk over to it from the Canadian side and visit without leaving Canada?
This is most probably the station by Stanstead, if it makes a difference: Derby Line, VT on the American side.
As far as I know you usually can -- the border station in Niagara falls has an entrance from the Canadian side. It's really a matter of whether your local border station is accessible from the US-bound side of the highway.
posted by jb at 2:04 PM on December 4, 2009
posted by jb at 2:04 PM on December 4, 2009
Call the station first -- many crossings don't allow U-turns once you enter the area.
posted by Behemoth at 2:09 PM on December 4, 2009
posted by Behemoth at 2:09 PM on December 4, 2009
Best answer: I'm confused. Which set of immigration officials do you need to visit?
In Stanstead, looking at Google Maps, there is some parking on the left side of the 55 right next to the station. And there's a U-turn just beyond that right at the border.
There is also some parking behind the station on boul. Notre-Dame east of the 55.
You could also visit the station in town on rue Dufferin (park in front of La Vieille Douane).
(also 2nding Behemoth -- call the station and ask.)
posted by Gridlock Joe at 2:44 PM on December 4, 2009
In Stanstead, looking at Google Maps, there is some parking on the left side of the 55 right next to the station. And there's a U-turn just beyond that right at the border.
There is also some parking behind the station on boul. Notre-Dame east of the 55.
You could also visit the station in town on rue Dufferin (park in front of La Vieille Douane).
(also 2nding Behemoth -- call the station and ask.)
posted by Gridlock Joe at 2:44 PM on December 4, 2009
On rereading, I'm not confused anymore.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 2:44 PM on December 4, 2009
posted by Gridlock Joe at 2:44 PM on December 4, 2009
Best answer: I've done this before in BC and in Ontario.
Park your car in Canada and walk over to the Canadian immigration station...but yes call ahead so they know you're coming, etc.
The alternative - if you're in Montreal (or anywhere else with an international airport) - is to go to the airport. There's Canadian immigration there too. But again, call ahead.
posted by dismitree at 2:53 PM on December 4, 2009 [1 favorite]
Park your car in Canada and walk over to the Canadian immigration station...but yes call ahead so they know you're coming, etc.
The alternative - if you're in Montreal (or anywhere else with an international airport) - is to go to the airport. There's Canadian immigration there too. But again, call ahead.
posted by dismitree at 2:53 PM on December 4, 2009 [1 favorite]
Call ahead and be careful - I got in the computer system for being "denied entry to the US" when I went to the border for immigration purposes and did not completely cross (1999). I haven't been asked about that for a number of years, but a border guard in Detroit grilled me thoroughly about it in 2005.
posted by niccolo at 7:18 PM on December 4, 2009
posted by niccolo at 7:18 PM on December 4, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fatbird at 2:02 PM on December 4, 2009