I plan on sponsoring my spouse inland. She has an ETA, what should she tell CBSA?

[ConfusedCoffeeTable]

From my research on the official government website, it is legal and lawful for me to start an inland spousal sponsorship application for my spouse who's visiting Canada on an Electronic Travel Authorization permit.

My concern is that the CBSA agent she'll talk to won't know about this and assume she's about to illegally stay in Canada. What should my spouse say (the truth is the right answer but is there terminology that's recommended?). She will be arriving to Canada with enough money in her account to sustain her for years (in other words, not seeking handouts), I have listed her as an occupant in my rental agreement, and we are ofcourse married (here in canada during her last trip!)

Did anyone go through a similar situation? How was it handled?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

From my research on the official government website, it is legal and lawful for me to start an inland spousal sponsorship application for my spouse who's visiting Canada on an Electronic Travel Authorization permit.

My concern is that the CBSA agent she'll talk to won't know about this and assume she's about to illegally stay in Canada. What should my spouse say (the truth is the right answer but is there terminology that's recommended?). She will be arriving to Canada with enough money in her account to sustain her for years (in other words, not seeking handouts), I have listed her as an occupant in my rental agreement, and we are ofcourse married (here in canada during her last trip!)

Did anyone go through a similar situation? How was it handled?

She should say she is coming to visit her spouse. She is not moving to or coming to live in Canada, as she doesn't have that right. She should not have more than the normal few bags of a visitor. Don't volunteer information. If CBSA pushes further, she can say she is applying for sponsorship.