2013-2015: From China, Finished MS in Canada, recd 3yr work permit, multiple visits to visit dad (US citizen since 2 years) in US no issue

2016: Inadmissibility at Can-US land border due to no return ticket (as I was planning to even visit China for a few months after visiting dad for 2-3 months), end of Canadian apt lease, no employment, pending GC application in US, etc. Asked to carry return ticket, financial proof and proof of residence in Canada upon next entry.

2017: Started my first Canadian job in March, was allowed entry into US (to visit Detroit/Vegas but not father) in July without any issues, made 10-15+ one-day/overnight visits to Detroit via same border later without issues. Received Canadian PR in September (only have COPR in passport, PR card has been mailed to Canadian address after I flew to China). Left job in October to visit China for 3 months for family weddings and stuff.

Since I'm again unemployed right now, I have an opportunity to visit my father in SFO for 1 month which I can't when I'm working since it's 4 hrs away by flight, and flying there for 2-3 days isn't worth it. So I'm first planning to fly to the US with my mother (Greencard holder since 1 year and visited dad last year for 6 months) from China in January end and then go back to Canada in February end. My mother would be staying back with dad.

But I'm afraid my lack of employment would make the US officials suspicious again. I have my Canadian apt lease (April 2017-March 2018), utility bills, previous employment experience letter, bank statements etc. to show as ties to Canada but would that be enough? Would accompanying my mom, a greencard holder go against me as well as it may seem I might stay back with mom and dad?

Infact, my mother isn't that fit, has had a hip replacement last year and I don't want her to travel alone for that reason as well. I'm also going to carry a return ticket (albeit to Detroit and not Canada) since I want to take the cheaper tunnel bus from Detroit to cross the Detroit-Windsor tunnel in Canada.

Would any of the above create any issues? Is there something specific I should answer to any of their questions? Kindly suggest!

Shouldn't be a problem. If it was an extended stay it might be an issue. But just a month? Enjoy!

In Asia I just tend to lie about my employment and even if immigration / customs ask me extra questions nobody ever bothered to obtain verifications.

Given that immigration in Canada and the US is on a whole other level of paranoia though, I'm not sure if that'd pan out.

You'll probably get better info on reddit than on 2p2 tbh.

If one needs a visa, they might like to see all the factors that would make it more likely that you will return (those tend to be mentioned on their pages so you can read them), and you will see that when and if you get in an interview before they give you the visa, although having one is no guarantee they will let you into their country even if you are on their airport.

In most of the world if the visa is needed, they might like just want you to have a return ticket and just possibly some accommodation questions in some countries perhaps.

I am aware that they might have some airport interviews e.g. in some English language countries perhaps if they find some reason for it that doesn't look like an ordinary tourist, perhaps, but as nothing of that tend to apply to me, I have no personal experience.

I already have a visa.

I would get a letter from your Doctor or Government Agency and go as your Mothers Carer to help her in Flight. Even if she is staying longer or whatever.

I recently visited USA and laughed when they said oh go over there as that Lady will Interview you. I said to her what would you like to know etc and she was cool as I just said I am old retired and just wanted to visit for 3 weeks.

Offered to show cash cc etc but she was cool as I explained that I couldnt remember the last time I had to have an Interview for anything.I reckon it is all about being relaxed keep answers short and to the point and be respectful, much like talking to a cop, keep the story simple. ie Accommodation both staying with Father.

Just make up an occupation, flown to the states ~15 times over the past few years and just put 'Bar manager' each time as didnt want to mention poker. Only once got questioned about it, was regarding the amount of Thai stamps in my passport and asked if I worked there, but I think it was more general convo than a grilling.

Put "bar manager" where? I'm talking about my conversation with the immigration official when I land in the US. He would be seeing that I've been in China vacationing since the last 3 months, so don't see how I can say I've been working in Canada, since no employer gives 3 month leaves.

There is an occupation bracket in the entry form(I'm a uk citizen so this may be different for you), I havent lived in the UK for 5 years and its never came up.

Even if I fill that up, I'm going to be interviewed at the airport by the officials. How can I possibly say I am working but had a 3 month leave?

What do you mean by interviewed, as in denied access until you go through an interview process? or the guy who stamps your passport at immigration?

I choose 'Bar Manager', because its a relaxed job title, and if asked about it I can say 'Yea I saved up abit of money and decided to travel for abit'. Ive crossed hundreds of borders in the last 5 years and noone has went deeper than that.

Wouldnt cross with your Mother though, would let her go ahead and you find your own place in the queue. Thats just a guess at whats better though.

1) Yes, I mean the guy who stamps passport at immigration. He's going to ask questions and ultimately decide to let me in or not, and if he sees that I'm unemployed, it's going to be a red flag. Also, I've been in China since last 3 months and left my job in Canada before leaving for China...and I don't think it's a good idea to lie that I'm still working in Canada, because how could I take a 3 month leave if I'm working, right?

2) Wouldn't it be stupid to hide that me and my mother travelled together? I mean, they'd have everything on record. So wouldn't they figure it out easily even if we're standing separately in queues?

1. The man is also human, there will likely be a large line of people waiting that he'll want to clear. Unless something flags up(If you have a criminal record, youre noticeably drunk, etc) I highly doubt hes going to take the time to see a 3 month trip to China and start together some elaborate plan that you want to now move to the States. Or more so, see that you put down an occupation and start quizzing you on it. As far as he knows you're just a guy from Canada going to the States for a vacation(which you are), he sees hundreds of people with the same background as you per day. He'll ask you a few routine questions, and let you be on your way.

2. If he so happens to ask who youre with, just say 'Yea im with my mother, she joined another queue', you dont need to be hiding anything.

1. But what if the conversation goes like this (which it does 99% of the time):

Him: Hi, where are you flying from? Nationality?
Me: Hello, flying from China, I'm Chinese.
Him: So what's your purpose of visit to the US?
Me: Visiting my father in the US
Him: What do you do for a living?
Me: Work as ABC in XYZ co. in Canada
Him: Oh, what's your status in Canada?
Me: Permanent Resident (hand him over my PR card)
Him: So what were you doing in China?
Me: Visiting family
Him: How long were you there?
Me: 3 months
Him: 3 months? (raises eyebrow) How did you get that long of a leave from work?
Me: ????

Possible answer/Truth: They wouldn't give me >30 days leave, so my manager asked me to resign and get reapply/rehired on return. So I should be good.

You see that?
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2. Also, most importantly, would visitors and GC holders have different queues? If so, then that's great.

I dont get why youre hellbent on telling absolute truths here, if the convo went as you have presented it with me, id say 'Well, im lucky enough to be pretty good friends with my boss, so he gave me the three months as ive wanted to do it for a couple of years'.

2. There is separate queues for international passports and US passports(Im not sure if green card holders fall into this category), but on each trip ive taken to the US(All major airports) there has been on an average of 8 different desks to go through. So going to a different one than your mother would be standard(I recently crossed with my girlfriend, and we both went to different desks, this wasnt planned, just there was 200 people waiting and its just how the queue filters).

Fwiw this may be just coincidence, but the only time ive ever seen people get rejected at any border, was Mothers with sons, although much younger sons than yourself.

Couple of years? I've only been working for 6 months and I certainly can't lie about that.

In any case, can I vaguely say "I work at XYZ co. in Canada" (present tense) and if they ask about the 3-4 months holidays by any chance, I'll mention about my boss being cool and asking me to leave and re-join on return? I just don't want the officer to reply "so you lied that you are still WORKING there".

You don't know enough to worry so much .lol