Krazymonkie3, why are you so angry? He posts a good warning to have a solid story to back up your visit and you get defensive and tell him to stop posting. Ridiculous.

You obviously have been doing a poor job at researching and/or have poor reading comprehension skills. Canadian customs agents aren't there to interpret the law, they enforce it.

If you have a wife and kid in Canada, but are American they will not allow you to spend more than the maximum length of your Visa (whether that be 6 mos, 1 year, etc.) unless you're a landed immigrant or have some other status. Useful information? I'm telling you the reality of the situation. If you want to pretend like you can tell them some bull**** sob story about what you're doing, by all means go ahead.

Guess what, it is at the discretion of the customs agent to allow or deny you entry into the country up to a maximum of (6 months per year as a visitor). If you start up a pattern of entry that becomes suspicious and you are unemployed and not a student you're going to raise questions. If they flag you, you're going to end up getting even more questions and start getting denied entry. They can hold and interrogate you if they so choose unless you want to return to your country of origin.

I'm not sure where exactly you're reading things that contradict what I'm saying. I gave you useful advice that is factual and relevant to people that are in a similar situation.

Once he gets set up the first time, he can just walk over through the woods or whatever the second time. Have a Canadian friend meet him and pick him up.
Mexicans seem to be able to do this pretty much at will into the U.S. and a lot of the people down there actually give a **** about keeping Mexicans out. I doubt there's many anti-illegal American activists along Canada's southern border.

level?

lol, god this thread is funny, have any of you guys pretty much claiming to be experts about Canadian border control ever actually tried crossing the border as a US citizen? I'm a US citizen that grew up semi close to the border and I went to Winnipeg like 5 times when I was 18-20, with a car full of buddies, and we said we were going to to get drunk basically (drinking age is 18 obv, or used to be at least)), we never got searched, asked pretty much any questions, and we were let on in w/o any hassle, everytime. Now coming back into the United states we got hassled all the time, but the way some of you are making Canadian border control out to be is pretty hilarious. Yeah they are probably gonna call to make sure this imaginary GF is real the 2nd time its used as a reason to cross, please. Also you can come up with a way better lie then that cmon.

Yeah I think people are going overboard with how strict the Canadian border patrol can/will be. Can they do all these things people are saying? Of course. But the likelihood is very slim.

Remember you're not a criminal and you're not doing anything illegal. If you think you're doing something wrong, chances are you're going to act guilty and raise suspicion.

try crossing with 1 person, a computer, 2-3 large monitors, claim to be on vacation for 6 months and claim that you have no job. There's a difference between going to Canada to get drunk and trying to go there for 6 months with a car full of your life.

I dont think some clothes and a computer setup are a huge warning sign for border patrol agents. Pretty sure border patrol agents don't give a **** about your job, as long as you don't have a criminal record, and your car is clean of illegal ****, and your not breaking any Canadian visiting rules or w/e, your fine imo.

This, and even if u did act stupid and raise suspicion, they search you and your car and let you through. It's not like they are gonna think some low to mid 20s guy with a computer and clothes and nothing illegal on them are too suspicious looking to be allowed into Canada.

One of my buddies from norway lives in canada with his gf. and they actually did call her and verify everything he told them at the border! kinda lol, but def true.

You realize they are explicitly told to look for exactly that sort of stuff? I am 100% certain that they are instructed on what to look for with regard to people illegally trying to move into the country. Believe it or not that is something they care about and try their hardest to deter. It's naive to think otherwise.

Obviously in general it's super easy to cross the border. A lot of the time customs agents don't really care or they do a half-ass job. None of that is the point though. The point is that you should be prepared for what can happen. Showing up pretending you have a gf or a family in Canada when it's a blatant lie isn't going to go over well. If you get flagged for that, good luck getting into the country again without scrutiny.

I actually knew a guy in the opposite situation -- he was coming to the US for several months from canada. Customs actually looked up his facebook page and it said "moving to las vegas" as the status... they only let him stay for a month.

In general, theyre looking out for people who will stay past he limit for whaever reason. Personally, i think honesty is the best policy. "I'm coming here to play online poker because its illegal in the US now... im planning to stay for X months, but not past the legal limit. I have the financial means to travel so i have no reason to stay past the deadline"

Yeah, I mean the gf thing just seems like the worst lie possible.

I was thinking the same thing, just worried about getting flagged and screwing myself saying the absolute truth. You should post in this thread if u follow through with that plan.

Crazy, wonder what happens in this situation if they catch u in that lie, really just say your not allowed to enter Canada? Or maybe they would just monitor your stay more closely, hmm.

First I want to apologize for my previous posts to you. I guess it was the stress and frustration that got the best of me. Reading your post, your info and advice have been the most helpful. I've just been reading so many useless posts and responses, but thank you..you have been helpful.
Crossing the border my 1st time will be easy, because I do have a cousin that I am visiting. I've also been suggessted to overstay my 6 months, and leave the country after a year. But I leave for Vancouver wed., I keep you guys updated on how it really goes.

Thanks and my sincere apologies..

Krazymonkey3

I'm crossing with one suitcase and a laptop. Should be no problems , or raise any flags that I"m a internet poker player. As if the canadian border control , is out to stop all poker players crossing the border..( like some people think) lol!

Thanks for that post. Yes some people take this crossing border way to serious. Yes they CAN search and hassle you..but like you said..they just won't. What kinda of hassle did you get returning to the US?

Yes..i agree. But I REALLY do have a cousin that is studying abroad there. I will give the customs his adress and phone number..call him for all I care..my story checks out. Its the second time I enter Canada is the problem..cause by then..my Cousin has left Canada. How bout just overstaying my 6 months in Canada? Worst thing they'll do is kick me out of the country?

If its like the US (and in this case i have no idea if it is) the worst thing they can do is kick you out.... but youll wait in a cell for weeks or months while the procedure happens. Also they prob wont ever let you back in.

Theyre not out to stop internet poker players. I think their main concern is that;

A: You dont have a job, so youve got no compelling reason to leave the country when you say you are.
B. If you have no job, you also probably have little or no money, so even if you plan to stay for a few months and leave you might not have the financial resources to do so.

Most people, epecially older people, do not hear "internet poker player" and think "baller"... they hear you say internet poker player and think "ok this guy doesnt have a job"

I think the same thing would happen that happened to my buddy here -- they tell you that you have to report back to border patrol in a coupl weeks or a month (so basically be on your way out).

ALso of note that my buddy who got forced to do this did not have any trouble on multiple subsequent re-entries into the US.

opened canadian bank acct no problem this weekend, border patrol was painless on both sides.

mind saying what all you told them at the bank?

Which bank did you go to?

Exactly. This is not news until you use said account for big online poker transfers. Have you told them what the account is for?