if you live in or around montreal and could help me out with some relocation stuff in exchange for some cash quote this post and I'll get in touch with you. Obviously I'll be looking for references or someone to vouch for you.

thanks in advance for any help

I didnt have a hard time at all flying into vancouver didnt have to show any documents or even a return ticket although they did ask if I had one. I expect its a lot of luck of the draw in regards to what official is dealing with you.

Yea definitely seems to be luck of the draw from all the stories I've read. Perhaps flying is easier that driving since it doesn't look as permanent (you can't bring much with you at all and you have no car). Either way I did dig this up:

From page 5 of the guide for applying to extend your temporary status:

"If there is no stamp, a handwritten date or document in your passport, your temporary resident status will expire six months from the day you arrived in Canada. If you were given a visitor record, student or work permit, the expiry date is marked on the document."

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5551E.PDF

Looks like I'm good to go despite what the border guard said...

On another note Vancouver is expensive as hell. Vancouver+whole foods=almost $300 for 3 bags of groceries. It's really the meat that is super pricey and some other items as well. A Ben and Jerry's carton was $9 :-(

Set my BA up today. Went with TD Canada. EXCELLENT customer service. No issues with poker whatsoever. Set up both USD and CAD checking accts.

I got the access card immediately but had to order the Visa CC (3-5 bus days) which is secured for an amount I have sitting in the bank.

Hmm maybe I should try TD. I went to CIBC and they only let me open a Canadian account and warned me that my poker transactions may be flagged and my account shutdown.

Has anyone tried applying for a NEXUS card in order to make crossing the border easier?

Those who had trouble crossing the border, did you have a bunch of stuff with you such as desk/monitors/etc? Wondering if it will severely lower my chances if I bring in my office

I had 2 monitors, a desktop, and 2 laptops. 1 road bike, 1 mtn bike, and 2 plastic bins worth of clothes. And some other small random ****. She thought it was really odd that I had 3 computers...idk.

I had one monitor, 2 suitcases, ps3, violin, two laptops, and a small bag with a few books. I went across with my gf who has a flight booked for a week later, so not much for 2 people really.

Someone I know tried bringing 10.5k across and got deported for one year for a heads up everyone...

Have people still been successful with checks, echecks, and moneybooker cashouts? More so on the Canadian side the the pstars side. I was told when I opened my account at CIBC that poker transactions may get flagged and my account shutdown because I have a non-resident personal account (as opposed to business). They also only let me open a CAD account because I can only open one account as a visitor. That might be BS because I know some people in this thread have a linked USD and CAD from CIBC.

You can bring as much as money as you want, you have to declare it. There's a form you can fill out to do it ahead of time if you're looking to save time.

I've withdrawn via echeck to two different Canadian bank accounts without issue. I've also withdrawn approx 100K through MB to a Canadian bank account and then wired to my US account without issue.

If you have a canadian bank account do you need a utility bill as well in order to set up a MB account or just a mailing address?

To set it up, all you should need is an address. I had to email a notarized copy of my passport and utility bill to get the limits removed.

I opened a CIBC account and had no problem opening both a CAD and a USD account. I just told them I was self employed though with no mention of poker and the guy didn't ask for any further clarification.

He told them the complete truth that he was going there to play online poker because he couldnt play in the U.S. and had his car filled with all his stuff, And they told him he was taking advantage of there laws and he got deported he is now in mexico...so I assumed it was for having the 500 dollars more then you are suppose to bring across had something to do with it...I could be wrong.

That's pretty unfortunate, he's the first person I've heard of being denied entry besides people with criminal records or DUIs. It'd be helpful to have him post here and share his story.

Has anyone successfully set up and linked their cad and usa rbc accounts?

Good to hear Piranha. So Stars doesn't make you only cashout to the bank that you used for your Canadian residence verification? Or do you simply have to show documention of each bank account you subsequently open? I'm guessing the 100k from MB went to your HSBC account? Do they know the MB transactions are from Stars? I'm assuming you were honest about poker transactions with them and it seems some haven't been successful with HSBC regarding poker. I think I'm gonna try to open an Advance account since I don't quite have a 100k just lying around.

Yea I just said self employed too and was then asked what type of employment. I said an "online business" and he needed to know what it was so than I just said poker. Seems like poker transactions weren't specifically the problem though, it was a non-resident account doing any type of business transactions that could be flagged.

For those of you flying into Canada do you need to apply for a tourist visa or is your passport enough documentation? Also, do you have any plans of flying back to the states for holidays or is that even an issue?

Sorry I actually have only withdrawn via ECheck to one bank account. I meant to say I've withdrawn from MB to multiple bank accounts. I don't think Stars requires any documentation to withdraw via echeck and I don't think it has to be the bank account you used for verification. As long as it's a valid account and in your name, that should be all that matters.

Yeah the 100K has gone into HSBC and then I've used the online wire transfer function (HSBC is the only bank I know of that has this in Canada) to wire it to my US account. I had to call to get my wire limit raised - it was something like 3K/Day and they upped it 9500/Day so I've been wiring around 8-9K at a time back to the US. I also have an Advance account. In my opinion, a Premier account has a better chance of getting flagged and closed from what I've read. They have a dedicated account rep and they pay a lot more attention to what you're doing. That's just my opinion based on what I've read and a conversation I had with a rep at the bank. And yes I was honest about what I was doing when I opened the accounts at HSBC.

Will try to get him to.