I am Canadian and wanting to spend about six months in the US. I don't want to get hassled by customs, so...

Question

What's the best way to get in? I've heard that if they think you're going to be in country that long, you'll end up staying over your limit, which I won't be, but they'll think so, and may not let me cross the border. I'll be travelling by plane from Toronto, and I'll be bringing my guitar and going to Nashville, TN. Last time I went, they almost didn't let me in because they didn't understand why I had to bring a guitar to visit for a few days. I'm going there to write with some other songwriters. I've got a place to live lined up, and I know I won't be able to work, but I'll work that out through some means... but my main question is... what's the best thing to say to the customs agent when they ask you how long you'll be staying? I know I can't say 6 months, but if I say I'll only be in the US for the week, they may ask to see my return flight papers. I just want to be able to come for my 6 months and then go home. I don't want to be stopped on my way in. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Jerry B has it right - go over the border to Buffalo first, and fly out from Buffalo Niagara International Airport.  It's cheaper anyways from the States to fly to Nashville.

If you already bought your ticket and it's not possible to go through Buffalo, IF they ask you how long you plan to stay, tell them a week or a couple weeks to visit friends.  Tell the address that you're staying, and then, if they ask for return flight details or anything, tell them you're driving back from Nashville to Toronto with friends.  The drive isn't terribly long, my boyfriend and I have driven from TN to Buffalo (where we attend university) before, so it should be a feasible story.

As for the guitar, if they ask again why you're taking it, say it's a gift or for the person you're staying with, or simply that you wanted to bring it with you because you're playing for a friend's wedding, with a friend, etc.  I know the US Customs can be a pain, and they ask all sorts of unnecessary questions, but it's easy to b-s them sometimes.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 2

You say you're going from Toronto.  I would say that the very smartest thing would be to simply travel overland to Buffalo, New York.  You can cross the Niagara River with just your Canadian Birth Certificate and your Canadian Driver's License.  You need not even show your passport.  Odds are, they'll just waive you through without stamping anything or asking any questions.  Once you're in, you're in.  They don't really keep records of how long you stay.  You're then free to fly from Buffalo to anywhere in the USA and will just need your Canadian driver's license to board the plane.  This gives you the added benefit of being able to fly on Southwest Airlines to Nashville.  They fly out of Buffalo and are usually much cheaper than any other US carrier (www.southwest.com).

If you fly over the border, your passport is stamped at the Toronto airport on the way into the US by US immigration agents there and then again upon departure from the US at the US airport (this is a special arrangement between Canada and the US - the process is slightly different if you fly to or from any other country).  Because of this stamp, a record is kept of how long you are in the US.  Due to this record, you could run into problems if you overstay the 6 month period.

If asked about the guitar (odds are that you won't be asked about it other than POSSIBLY to examine it for contraband), just say that you're visiting friends for a few days and thought you might play a little music with them informally.

Note also that the US government plans to institute a passport-only border crossing rule sometime this summer, but they haven't yet specified a date.  When that happens, you'll need to have your passport with you to reenter Canada.  I would say just leave your passport with a relative or trusted friend and have them fedex it to you in the states should the need arise.  If asked why you don't have an entry stamp in your passport, just explain (truthfully) that you entered the country with your BC and driver's license before the rule took effect.  This isn't breaking any law so they can't really hassle you about it.

Answer 3

You are over thinking it.  As a visitor, you can stay for 6 months.  The Customs form will ask, primary purpose for travel, business or pleasure?  Pleasure... (making music with your friends)

If they ask how long you are staying, tell the truth, you are not sure yet, at the outside a couple of months.

You won't have any trouble at Pearson... answer the questions they ask honestly.  There is nothing worse than making "the list".