hobbity

Planning a trip to spend time with girlfriend in Canada and I was wondering if it would be much easier just to say that I am a tourist then mention girlfriend? I have the funds to support myself over there plus return ticket. I also have my own home in the uk, and am self-employed with a regular income.

Some background, we met in the uk and she's come twice and spent 6 months with me each time. This is the first time I'm going over there.

Also, I do want to travel and explore B.C in particular and thought it would be easier just to put together a travel itinerary and say this is what I'm doing, and on my own. It wouldn't be far from the truth other then 'on my own' bit.

Thanks !

christmasoompa

Aviator

Why not just state that you are visiting a friend if you want to avoid possible complications?

hobbity

Thanks christmasoompa and aviator, I think I'll say close friend and leave it at that. I think the UK customs, depending on the interviewing officer can make things more complicated if you mention a romantic element. When my g'friend visited she also said visiting friend and uk customs phoned me to ask if there was any romantic involvement !

Regards the ability to check phones, that's scary. But thanks for letting me know !

DigitalGhost

Just tell the truth and take evidence with you that you plan to return home. What you're doing isn't illegal and people do it every day. You can even visit and get married in Canada if you want. You will get into more trouble if you lie and they don't believe you.

christmasoompa

+1. Personally, if I were a CBSA officer, if you said 'close friend' to me and then an inspection of your phone showed that it was actually a romantic interest, I'd be very suspicious and it would make me more inclined to refuse you entry. Whereas if you just say 'I'm visiting my gf' (which as said above, tons of people do every day), there's nothing that can come back and bite you if they do dig a little deeper.

ChrisBan

Speaking from personal experience on this, just be honest to the questions asked and you'll be fine.

DigitalGhost

Incidentally your experience with the UK immigration department (it would have been them who called you and not customs) isn't anything to worry about here. Britain is somewhat unique in that it is illegal to enter Britain as a foreign visitor with the intention of marrying a British citizen.

Canada doesn't have that law simply because you can't change status from visitor to PR while in the country.

Engineer_abroad

+2. IF you tell the truth the most officer will ask for is proof you have a ticket home and that you have connections to the UK i.e. family or a job. attempt to lie or tell half truths and you will be under much more scrutiny and may even end up in secondary or being refused entry.

NavyBoy

I used to commute from UK to Canada to see my fiancé when she worked in Calgary. I always said why I was here, I had return flights, copies of my house deeds, council tax bill and in my case my service ID card to prove I was in employment.

Never had a problem

FARAH1305

when i was studying at home and my british husband (then boyfriend) came to visit - he was honest. didn't have a problem at all. lots of people are in long distance relationships. you should be fine.


though it doesn't hurt to ensure you have a return ticket readily available for customs in case you get a very strict officer.

FARAH1305

With respect, unless that was in the last 18 months or so it's not really relevant. There has been a big clampdown and you now need PROOF of ties and obligations to the UK (or where ever the person's residence is) as well as proof of finances to support the length of stay and a return ticket.