Question for you Canadians

[Raesvelg]

It's something I've seen happen on rare occasions, typically when the individual in question dresses more-or-less like a vagrant.

Never for $400 though, typically it's considerably less than that.

 

[Duddits]

Just want to clear something up after re-reading that, the authorities were not ASKING him to hand over $400.00, just told him he needed to have that amount of disposable cash? Some of the replies seem to believe that the Customs Officer was asking him to pay $400.00.

This is what I'm curious about too. I'm a military vet/brat who's been all over the world and I've never in my life been asked how much money I have on me. That doesn't mean it can't happen. Customs does look for illegal cash, just in large amounts.

 

[Morcheeba]

It's something I've seen happen on rare occasions, typically when the individual in question dresses more-or-less like a vagrant.

Never for $400 though, typically it's considerably less than that.

You know, the amount strikes me as well.

If this did in fact happen, perhaps the official was thinking the amount would be a deterrent?

 

[Hexx]

You know, the amount strikes me as well.

If this did in fact happen, perhaps the official was thinking the amount would be a deterrent?

I'm thinking that is the case here, the amount was specified as a deterrent to send my brother packin back to Texas. Unfortunately, if there was no other reason on the immigration officials part as to why he denied my brother entry into Canada (when he had a valid passport, plane ticket, and no criminal record) they are going to make a big stink about it because my brother wasted a good chunk of money to fly out there, only to get denied entry for some bullshit reason.

 

[bigbroon]

I haven't read all the replies, but I'll tell you what it sounds like to me.

When customs officials etc. find someone suspicious, or even conduct a random search/interview, they will check for many things. They'll check the passport, previous trips, the amount of cash the passenger is carrying, and so on. The reason they check how much money people have is to match it up with what the passenger says they are there for.

For instance, if someone says they are coming into a country to stay for 4 weeks as a tourist, and have $400 dollars with them, the chances are custom will not believe it, and they'll be more inclined to believe said passenger is trying to enter their country to work illegally. This is just one possible explanation as to why he was refused entry based on his cash.

Checking the amount of cash someone has with them is common practice at customs in many countries, but it's not the only check. For instance, most people will carry less or more than $400, with credit/debit cards and traveler's cheques (checks for you yanks) to cover any expenses. For this reason, I highly doubt your brother was refused entry due to having $400 on his person. Unless, of course, you're not allowed to have more than $300 on your person while entering Canada, which I highly doubt. As you said, your brother is a bit of a trouble-magnet, so it wouldn't surprise me if there's more to the story than he's telling you (eg. got drunk on the plane and behaved in a disorderly manner.) I doubt it would have been a reaction exclusive to canadian cutsoms, either.

Sounds like you're the better-behaved brother anyway, Hexx. <3

PS: It's by no means 100% that your brother was legitemately refused entry, even though customs don't need a specific reason. I wouldn't have thought it common practice for customs to refuse entry for someone with something as insignificant as cash, considering they'll let criminals in as long as they've had a period of good behaviour. All refusals have to go through the customs official's bosses, so there was probably something more to it. That being said, I wouldn't just let it slide, because I'd be PISSED if it happened to me.

 

[Hexx]

I haven't read all the replies, but I'll tell you what it sounds like to me.

When customs officials etc. find someone suspicious, or even conduct a random search/interview, they will check for many things. They'll check the passport, previous trips, the amount of cash the passenger is carrying, and so on. The reason they check how much money people have is to match it up with what the passenger says they are there for.

For instance, if someone says they are coming into a country to stay for 4 weeks as a tourist, and have $400 dollars with them, the chances are custom will not believe it, and they'll be more inclined to believe said passenger is trying to enter their country to work illegally. This is just one possible explanation as to why he was refused entry based on his cash.

Checking the amount of cash someone has with them is common practice at customs in many countries, but it's not the only check. For instance, most people will carry less or more than $400, with credit/debit cards and traveler's cheques (checks for you yanks) to cover any expenses. For this reason, I highly doubt your brother was refused entry due to having $400 on his person. Unless, of course, you're not allowed to have more than $300 on your person while entering Canada, which I highly doubt. As you said, your brother is a bit of a trouble-magnet, so it wouldn't surprise me if there's more to the story than he's telling you (eg. got drunk on the plane and behaved in a disorderly manner.) I doubt it would have been a reaction exclusive to canadian cutsoms, either.

Sounds like you're the better-behaved brother anyway, Hexx. <3

PS: It's by no means 100% that your brother was legitemately refused entry, even though customs don't need a specific reason. I wouldn't have thought it common practice for customs to refuse entry for someone with something as insignificant as cash, considering they'll let criminals in as long as they've had a period of good behaviour. All refusals have to go through the customs official's bosses, so there was probably something more to it. That being said, I wouldn't just let it slide, because I'd be PISSED if it happened to me.

He was actually denied entry (according to him) for not having $400 available as cash on hand or on a bank account. But what you said did make a lot of sense as far as them being worried he was planning to do something shifty in Canada, I sure as hell would be suspicious too.

Well, we were contacted by the Consulate and they are investigating the situation and will get back to us with a response by next week, so I guess we just gotta wait now. They said if they found some sort of foul play or discrimination, they will refund my brother the cost of his plane ticket and such.

 

[Zephayra]

Did your brother even take anything indicating he was going to return to the US? That was likely the problem.

How long was he going to be staying?

Amount of money you have has to be enough to support you during your stay.

If a customs official believes thay a person has the intent to immigrate (which all custom officials have to believe every foreigner is doing), it is up to the visitor to provide proof that they are not staying in that country longer than a prescribed time. This is why all visitors have to have proof of strong ties to their home country at all times lol. It doesn't matter if you're going for a weekend, or for three months.

Your brother probably said something that made the officers ask him more questions. He was probably asked if he had a job, or leased an apartment/owned a house. Officers don't ask to see proof of home ties unless they feel that the visitor has given them reasons to suspect. You have to remember it is their job to make sure people don't illegally immigrate, and if some 18 year old guy who has no job, no residence and no proof other than a return ticket (which can be cancelled and thus why is not the only acceptable proof that you are returning), he is suspected to have an intent to immigrate.

I wouldn't bother with the consulate.. When you come into another country, you are not given the same rights as citizens of that country. An immigration officer has the full power to deny anyone into their country. This sort of thing happens in the US everyday. Consulates don't have the power to overturn a custom officers decision. And even if he gets a refund on his ticket and can travel back to Canada, it doesn't mean he will automatically get in. He has to tell them he has been denied before when he re-enters. It will not guarantee he will get in. The only thing that can help him to get in is for him to prove he is returning.. this could be bills, a copy of his school timetable/acceptance letter.. anything that one would consider a link to returning to your own country.

You don't have to do anything wrong to be turned away. A custom officer might just think you have no proof of returning to your own country and that's it. Sometimes you can show all the proof you have and once they make up your mind, that's it. Happens frequently to people who have never commited a crime. They can be assholes, they can be really strict, and they can be in a bad mood and just give them one reason, they can say no. It is in their power to do so. But you can get some that are nice and don't question too much, but it all comes down to the person of the day. The only thing you CAN do is be honest, poliete and have a back up plan incase you are denied.

I deal with this shit all the time because I frequently visit the US, and I have to prove that I'm not immigrating because I am filing for a visa at the moment. Everytime I go, I can't guarantee I'll get in. I'm actually flying out next week and I'm already dreading the experience.

 

[Hexx]

Well Zeph, I have to agree with that, it's just really difficult to know what exactly triggered it, altho my brother's story, if told to someone else, does come off as rather fishy. Its his first time travelling outside of the country (save for goin to Mexico, but they dont give a shit in Mexico lol) so I'm starting to feel like maybe this was just lack of preparation and research on his part. had he looked it up, he may be seen something like what you posted and figured to take his next semesters school schedule and some other type of proof along with him.


Seriously, thanks for all the help guys, this has really help clear things up LOL. For a moment I thought maybe the little squirt was gettin involved in nasty business and such.

 

[Zephayra]

It really is hit or miss though. I mean, most of the time, the customs let people in. But if they start fishing for information, and find something they don't like, you're powerless. Like, they probably asked him the purpose of his visit. He probably said friend. They probably asked, how do you know this friend? He likely either lied (because the whole system makes you want to lie to avoid getting in trouble..its so fucking stupid). or said he met her on MySpace. They probably then asked if he had ever met her before. Once he admitted he hadn't met her before, they were probably digging, asking him more questions and decided he was a 'threat', even if he really isn't.

How much money did he actually bring? How long was he suppose to stay? A week? Two weeks? The longer the visit, the more suspicious they seem to be.

I crossed the American border with 5 bucks once lol. The guy at immigration said "How much cash do you have on you?" I was going for three or four days, can't remember, but I said "5 bucks" He said "5 bucks!? How are you gonna afford being here for 5 bucks!?" I told him "I have a credit card" He then asked me if I had ever been arrested. I said nope, and he let me through. See, you can never tell.

Sounds like they probably told your brother he didn't have enough evidence to show he was returning or could support himself, or they didn't like the fact that he met a girl online and was coming to see her (which is dumb because people do it all the time), and he was probably embarassed, so he just said it was lack of funds. I mean, they CAN turn you away for not having enough to support yourself during a trip, but I don't think there's a definite amount.

Anyways, here's what the official guide to visiting Canada says, show it to your bro lol.

Visiting Canada: Who is eligible

To visit Canada, you must:

* have a valid travel document, such as a passport
* be in good health
* satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin
* satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit and
* have enough money for your stay. The amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives. For more information, ask the Canadian visa office in your country or region.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp

 

[Hexx]

Noted, thank you Zeph!