Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
#16
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Location: Maple Ridge, Super Natural British Columbia
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#17
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Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 850
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
So, we did. We drove to Bellingham, didn't mention anything about flagpoling at the border, went to secondary, had to wait for about 2 hours (lunchtime and only 2 officers), my SO had to complete an I-94 (I didn't because I have a B1/B2 visa), we paid the fee and off we went. Two days later, when returning to Canada, we said that we're activating a PR, they told us where to park, we entered the building, went up to the counter (no queue) and really nice lady went over the form with us, told us where to sign, then sent us to read about Citizenship, 5 minutes later called us back, gave us our passports back, gave us some flags and said 'Welcome to Canada'.
Easy peasy
Easy peasy
#18
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
So, we did. We drove to Bellingham, didn't mention anything about flagpoling at the border, went to secondary, had to wait for about 2 hours (lunchtime and only 2 officers), my SO had to complete an I-94 (I didn't because I have a B1/B2 visa), we paid the fee and off we went. Two days later, when returning to Canada, we said that we're activating a PR, they told us where to park, we entered the building, went up to the counter (no queue) and really nice lady went over the form with us, told us where to sign, then sent us to read about Citizenship, 5 minutes later called us back, gave us our passports back, gave us some flags and said 'Welcome to Canada'.
Easy peasy
Easy peasy
#19
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
We flagpoled at the Aldergrove crossing. Had a chat to the US official and explained the purpose. He opened a few bollards we never entered the US proper just redirected back into Canada. A quiet crossing and usually a few minutes wait.
#20
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Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
It doesn't happen very often but it has.
#21
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
Just be thankful you had no issues with CBSA on returning as what the US did was not the correct way and could have landed you in trouble with CBSA if there had been a problem. For others reading this is not the correct way to flag pole as if Canada finds a reason to refuse you entry then we would return you to the USA and you are now stuck in the USA and they have to deal with you.
It doesn't happen very often but it has.
It doesn't happen very often but it has.
Just another example of the innocent at the mercy of the incompetent.
From ignorance of a valid visa type to a failure to issue required documents and now I understand this probably extends to a further failure to understand border control regulations, does anyone extend the hand of professional education to these officials?
Seems I'm fortunate that either CBSA officials were having a good day or like their US colleagues they just thought they were doing the job right.
Just goes to show that you can't trust anyone to do anything properly.
Last edited by dave_j; Jun 3rd 2016 at 4:42 am.
#22
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
Hmmm... Salient point FL, and sadly taken note of.
Just another example of the innocent at the mercy of the incompetent.
From ignorance of a valid visa type to a failure to issue required documents and now I understand this probably extends to a further failure to understand border control regulations, does anyone extend the hand of professional education to these officials?
Seems I'm fortunate that either CBSA officials were having a good day or like their US colleagues they just thought they were doing the job right.
Just goes to show that you can't trust anyone to do anything properly.
Just another example of the innocent at the mercy of the incompetent.
From ignorance of a valid visa type to a failure to issue required documents and now I understand this probably extends to a further failure to understand border control regulations, does anyone extend the hand of professional education to these officials?
Seems I'm fortunate that either CBSA officials were having a good day or like their US colleagues they just thought they were doing the job right.
Just goes to show that you can't trust anyone to do anything properly.
Cheers all.
#23
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
Yep... If it were me i'd always go for doing a full trip across the border, not mentioning anything of flagpoling to the US officials, at the very least fill up with some cheap petrol and go to Meijer grocery shopping then go back across and land as a PR. That way no risk of incompetent/innocent BSO's or being given an administrative or actual refusal into the USA.
Cheers all.
Cheers all.
Last edited by Stinkypup; Jun 3rd 2016 at 6:16 am.
#24
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
But if you just to flip round, do the flag poling at the border properly and then come back to beautiful BC. We had some boating on the lake to do, not fannying unnecessarily in a boring bit of the U.S. You know how much I hate shopping I would take the administrative refusal any day over shopping. It has never caused a problem on many many trips South of the border and nor do I in the future.
#25
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
FL might be able to enlighten us with the frequency of this but I would think that it would be as likely as Canada adopting cricket as it's national game
#26
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
I flagpoled for my PR (at Sumas) and got a refusal of entry on my record from the US. It caused 6 years of secondary inspection flying to/via the US to anywhere and generally meant an extra 2-3 hours needing to be left between connecting flights. I had to apply for traveller redress via Homeland Security, which took over a year in itself, and resulted in a boilerplate photocopied response.
#27
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, Super Natural British Columbia
Posts: 2,071
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
You must have got a bad one or Sumas is a bad choice - Peace Arch probably has a constant flow of Flagpolers....
#28
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
I flagpoled for my PR (at Sumas) and got a refusal of entry on my record from the US. It caused 6 years of secondary inspection flying to/via the US to anywhere and generally meant an extra 2-3 hours needing to be left between connecting flights. I had to apply for traveller redress via Homeland Security, which took over a year in itself, and resulted in a boilerplate photocopied response.
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 40
Re: Flagpoling from BC - practical experiences
Hi All,
I just read through the whole of this thread and learned a hell of a lot!
I'm currently in Toronto waiting for my CoPR. I plan on just driving down to Niagara falls for the day when it comes through.
Can someone just confirm that all I need to do is:
- drive down to the border with my CoPR, passport, and Goods Accompanying list
- tell them I'm checking out Niagara for the day
- return to the border later on and state that I'll be activating PR?
From what I've read above that should do the trick but I just want to double check so that I don't mess up!
Thanks in advance!
I just read through the whole of this thread and learned a hell of a lot!
I'm currently in Toronto waiting for my CoPR. I plan on just driving down to Niagara falls for the day when it comes through.
Can someone just confirm that all I need to do is:
- drive down to the border with my CoPR, passport, and Goods Accompanying list
- tell them I'm checking out Niagara for the day
- return to the border later on and state that I'll be activating PR?
From what I've read above that should do the trick but I just want to double check so that I don't mess up!
Thanks in advance!