Friday, August 15, 2014

Customs and Immigration: Round 4

Alright ladies and gents. We're old hat at this now. We've done it three times already, and this time we don't have a U-Haul or any cats. This should be a breeze.

DFW still has no Canadian customs forms. I just do not understand how that keeps happening. Oh well. We were prepared this time and made sure we grabbed one before getting in the line to talk to a customs agent. We even had pens at hand to fill it out! Many an inexperienced traveler around us were inquiring about forms as they approached the agents. Not us! Oh no! We were prepared!

We actually went through customs pretty successfully. We told them that we had funds, Max's acceptance letter, our marriage license, and a place to live. They quickly shuffled us toward immigration to fill out our paperwork. 

We had to collect all of our luggage before entering the immigration office. But, you couldn't bring the cart with all of your luggage into the office. You had to be very trusting and leave it in a big hoard outside near the general population. This was not an easy thing for me. We had a lot of precious gifts and valuable items in our suitcases! Who would be watching them while we waited in more long lines to fill out our paperwork!?!!!? 

Once we made it to the front of the line, we presented our papers and requests to the immigration agent. He quickly took everything to ask another agent a question. Once he came back to our window, he informed us that a study permit does not automatically grant a spousal work permit. What? WHAT?! The agents at the land border informed us we would have no problems getting my work permit once we had our marriage license! This is ridiculous!

So much for smooth sailing.

He told me that I might be eligible for an open work permit, but that my best shot was probably through a company filing for me. Great. That takes me back to square one on the job hunt. 

Welp. It's not like we can start a fight with the immigration agent. 

You win this round, immigration.