Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Please help if you can. The first time I came to Canada I expected to go through immigration. But the next 2 times they sent me through there again even though I have my PR card. Its annoying as I constanly worry about my luggage and after a 7 hour flight it's a nightmare.
Does anyone know why this always happens? Is there any way I can avoid it in the future?
Thanks

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Can't help but I had the same thing happen to me last week when I came back via Montreal. Didn't expect any problems as I had my new pr card. I was told to go to one side into a room that was obviously full of people landing for first time. When I tried to ask why I was there I was threatened with a baton and taken to a single room by 2 men and told to wait there. 2 hours later I was taken back upstairs, passport stamped, no explanation given. When I asked what the problem was I was told they didn't have to give me any explanation. All this time I had no idea where my suitcases were. It was really frightening. I missed my connecting flight to Halifax and ended up arriving 4 hours later than planned.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Thanks for the reply, at least now I know it happens to others too. Yes they put you in a queue with families and other people obviously new to the country. I've been too scared to ask why in case they put me on a plane home, the immigration people look pretty serious and scary. I was just thinking, did you have a Canadian address on your landing pass card? I had a UK one, I wonder if that was the problem.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Get a NEXUS card, you have to have lived in Canada for three years to get one (not physically present, just lived here). Then when you get to primary inspection you just use your card at the machine and rarely does CBSA ever talk to you, until you get to the customs guy who takes your customs card off you, and he's only interested in collecting duty.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

There's been all this stuff lately about CBSA cracking down on people from Europe because of a lot of people working illegally here because of the recession, odd that the PR card wouldn't smooth things out though.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

I thought you had to be a Canadian citizen to get a Nexus card?

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

No, I had one before I became a Canadian Citizen.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Hmm, Interesting. I travel to the US half a dozen times a year. Will look into that.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

this has happened to me every single time i have re-entered Canada even though i have a PR card..its damn annoying esp when people on holiday just get waived on through:frown:

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

wow, that's never happened to me.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Nor I. In fact last time (3 weeks ago) entering at St. John's I had a cheery chat with the IO about my citizenship application & the weather. Smaller airport I guess.

Looked into the Nexus card btw, but can't do the interview etc here in St. John's, would have to do it in YHZ or YYZ which would be a pain to organise.

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

I think Val50 has a nexus card and she still got carted off!

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Nor me! :blink:

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Maybe they didn't like my face..........next time I'll put a Canadian address on the landing slip and see if that helps....

Re: Stuck in Immigration AGAIN
 

Yep, same for me. I've had a nexus card for a couple of years now, frequent traveller to the US, and got carted off twice. Once because I brought a sandwich with me and didn't declare it as food on my customs card (I was told that sweets/gum etc. also count, so now I don't take ANYthing remotely edible!), and the other time they didn't give me a reason, but checked my bag etc. (I was flying to my parents' place with only carry-on).