Missing CBSA and US border crossing records, what to declare?

[sjakub]

Hi,

I ordered CBSA border crossing records, and also downloaded US records.
And some records are missing. I know that it could happen,
but in my case it looks particularly bad.

I have been living in Canada for years now, first on a study permit
and later as a PR. When I got a PR approval letter I was so
excited that the very next day I drove to Detroit to finalize the paperwork
in the Canadian consulate and do the landing.
And it turned out to be closed to visitors that day...

So I drove back home (back into Canada), and tried again (successfully)
about a week later. During both trips I crossed the border both ways the same day,
which would mean 0 days outside of Canada.

However, CBSA has no record of me going back to Canada during the first trip,
and USA has no record of me entering US during my second trip.
Which basically looks like I left Canada, stayed in the US for a week, and then came back.

So I am wondering what I should put in the residency calculator...
If I put two separate trips, it won't match the border crossing records,
and I think it might look suspicious. If I put it as a single, longer trip,
I can't really "declare that the information provided is true, correct and complete"
because I know it is not.

I would prefer to avoid getting an RQ and having my application delayed,
especially since I don't know how I could prove that I was, in fact, in Canada.
I don't have those stamps in my passport either.
I could provide credit card statement showing transactions at locations in Canada,
but I don't know if that would be sufficient. And I would like to avoid getting the RQ altogether!

Any piece of advice will be helpful!

Thanks!

 

[thecoolguysam]

Hi,

I ordered CBSA border crossing records, and also downloaded US records.
And some records are missing. I know that it could happen,
but in my case it looks particularly bad.

I have been living in Canada for years now, first on a study permit
and later as a PR. When I got a PR approval letter I was so
excited that the very next day I drove to Detroit to finalize the paperwork
in the Canadian consulate and do the landing.
And it turned out to be closed to visitors that day...

So I drove back home (back into Canada), and tried again (successfully)
about a week later. During both trips I crossed the border both ways the same day,
which would mean 0 days outside of Canada.

However, CBSA has no record of me going back to Canada during the first trip,
and USA has no record of me entering US during my second trip.
Which basically looks like I left Canada, stayed in the US for a week, and then came back.

So I am wondering what I should put in the residency calculator...
If I put two separate trips, it won't match the border crossing records,
and I think it might look suspicious. If I put it as a single, longer trip,
I can't really "declare that the information provided is true, correct and complete"
because I know it is not.

I would prefer to avoid getting an RQ and having my application delayed,
especially since I don't know how I could prove that I was, in fact, in Canada.
I don't have those stamps in my passport either.
I could provide credit card statement showing transactions at locations in Canada,
but I don't know if that would be sufficient. And I would like to avoid getting the RQ altogether!

Any piece of advice will be helpful!

Thanks!

If it was a same day trip, then it does not have to be declared on residence calculator.
If the entry is missing then CBSA can't add an entry, that's what was told to me by CBSA(I had one missing entry)
For usa, if you are using i94 records, those are not really up to date. Submit FOIA request where you can get most accurate records for entries to USA. The link for FOIA is:
https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/request/publicPreCreate

In my case I had one missing entry for usa and I94 did not show my one entry for usa side but when i ordered foia, it showed me that missing entry.

If you get RQ, still mention the truth. You can't say that due to missing entry you got RQ, there could be other reasons for getting RQ as well.
In case if you get RQ, then mention that day trip in RQ (you need to declare day trips in RQ)

Also apply for citizenship by giving extra buffer of 2-3 weeks ( i gave 2 months buffer) so that the missing entries don't cause any concern.

If the entry is missing then its not your fault and just to cover that situation, don't try to declare it as a long absence. If its a day trip, then its a day trip.

If CIC asks you in regards to that trip then you can show credit card statements and other proof to show that you were present in Canada.

 

[sjakub]

First of all, thank you for a quick answer!

If it was a same day trip, then it does not have to be declared on residence calculator.

It doesn't have to be declared at all? So far I put all same-day trips in it (I had 3 of those),
and it just adds '0' days of absence. Is it better to not enter anything at all?
Do you, by any chance, have a link to an official page with that piece of information?

If the entry is missing then CBSA can't add an entry, that's what was told to me by CBSA(I had one missing entry)

I don't quite understand... If it's missing, it means that they couldn't add it at the time I was crossing the border for some (what?) reason?

For usa, if you are using i94 records, those are not really up to date. Submit FOIA request where you can get exact and most accurate records for entries to USA. The link for FOIA is:
https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/request/publicPreCreate

Thanks for the link! I used this one: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html , I will try the other one!

In case if you get RQ, then mention that day trip in RQ (you need to declare day trips in RQ)

So I DON'T have to declare single-day trips in the online calculator when I apply, but I DO have to declare them if I get an RQ?

Also apply for citizenship by giving extra buffer of 2-3 weeks ( i gave 2 months buffer) so that the missing entries don't cause any concern.

That's what I was planning to do anyway, but I may have limited buffer window (given the upcoming changes).


Thanks!

 

[thecoolguysam]

First of all, thank you for a quick answer!

It doesn't have to be declared at all? So far I put all same-day trips in it (I had 3 of those),
and it just adds '0' days of absence. Is it better to not enter anything at all?
Do you, by any chance, have a link to an official page with that piece of information?

I don't quite understand... If it's missing, it means that they couldn't add it at the time I was crossing the border for some (what?) reason?

Thanks for the link! I used this one: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html , I will try the other one!

So I DON'T have to declare single-day trips in the online calculator when I apply, but I DO have to declare them if I get an RQ?

That's what I was planning to do anyway, but I may have limited buffer window (given the upcoming changes).


Thanks!

Here is the link:
https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/redir.do?redir=faq
Search for "same day". It is upto you if you want to declare same day trips or not.

Entries might be missed if the officer did not scan your passport properly at the border or due to some technical issue the system did not capture the entry. If you contact CBSA now and ask them to add that missing entry, they won't add the missing entry.

For usa FOIA records, it can take from 20 days to many months to receive a response. For me it took 1 month and for some people in this forum, it took many months.

If you get RQ, you are required to declare same day trips.

 

[sjakub]

Thank you!

 

[dbo73]

If it was a same day trip, then it does not have to be declared on residence calculator.
If the entry is missing then CBSA can't add an entry, that's what was told to me by CBSA(I had one missing entry)
For usa, if you are using i94 records, those are not really up to date. Submit FOIA request where you can get most accurate records for entries to USA. The link for FOIA is:
https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/request/publicPreCreate

In my case I had one missing entry for usa and I94 did not show my one entry for usa side but when i ordered foia, it showed me that missing entry.

If you get RQ, still mention the truth. You can't say that due to missing entry you got RQ, there could be other reasons for getting RQ as well.
In case if you get RQ, then mention that day trip in RQ (you need to declare day trips in RQ)

Also apply for citizenship by giving extra buffer of 2-3 weeks ( i gave 2 months buffer) so that the missing entries don't cause any concern.

If the entry is missing then its not your fault and just to cover that situation, don't try to declare it as a long absence. If its a day trip, then its a day trip.

If CIC asks you in regards to that trip then you can show credit card statements and other proof to show that you were present in Canada.

This is really helpful: I had requested/downloaded the I-94 report to document my land crossings but the report is incomplete. based on your post, I have put in a request under FOIA and am really looking forward to the outcome.

Thanks!

 

[alphazip]

This is really helpful: I had requested/downloaded the I-94 report to document my land crossings but the report is incomplete. based on your post, I have put in a request under FOIA and am really looking forward to the outcome.

Thanks!

My spouse had many crossings (Windsor/Detroit). The U.S. missed none, Canada over a dozen by name (though all but two of these were recorded by licence plate number). (Be aware that there are TWO reports that can be requested from CBSA: name and plate number. The report by plate number is not as helpful, since it isn't associated with a specific name, just a specific vehicle.) As thecoolguysam said, there could be a lengthy delay in getting the FOIA report from the states, which could well push you beyond the time that the new rules (4 years out of 6, etc.) begin.

 

[mevisbleek]

Can someone please advise me on how to get the CBSA record of ENTRY. I applied on cic website and paid the $5. Couple of dates later i got an email saying the info I requested is their office. I guess i filled the form wrongly (Ii guess i picked access to info). Please guide me i need to apply again

 

[alphazip]

Can someone please advise me on how to get the CBSA record of ENTRY. I applied on cic website and paid the $5. Couple of dates later i got an email saying the info I requested is their office. I guess i filled the form wrongly (Ii guess i picked access to info). Please guide me i need to apply again

First of all, you should apply under the Privacy Act. You don't have to pay $5, it's free. Second, don't pick "examine in person." https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/welcome.do?lang=en

 

[thecoolguysam]

@mevisbleek
Did you select Canada Border Services Agency from the dropdown list?

Once you submit atip, you will receive acknowledgement in two to three days.(that's what you might have received)

Access to Information is $5 and privacy act is free.
Usually access to information act is for people who want to access someone's else records. Privacy act is for people who want to access record for themselves.

I suppose/think that access to information act can be used to access your own records but you have to pay $5. Please confirm with CBSA ATIP division using following link to confirm the details:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/pia-efvp/atip-aiprp/contact-eng.html

 

[sjakub]

For usa, if you are using i94 records, those are not really up to date. Submit FOIA request where you can get most accurate records for entries to USA. The link for FOIA is:
https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/request/publicPreCreate

Some more questions

On that webpage, I can request I-94 or Entry/Exit records. I should request entry/exit, right?
Also, they ask for an alien number, how would I be given one?

Is there anything specific I should provide in the "description" field?

 

[thecoolguysam]

Two more questions

On that webpage, I can request I-94 or Entry/Exit records. I should request entry/exit, right?
Also, they ask for an alien number, how would I be given one?

Choose Entry/Exit Records.
Leave Alien number blank however mention everything that is printed on your US VISA in the Description section of the FOIA request.
Also upload copy of your passport's biological pages, visa page etc.
Also mention all your details about your passports like name, date of birth, passport number in the description field.

Make sure you mention that please provide all entry/exit records. In my case, they just provided entry records.

 

[Canadiandesi2006]

Hi,

I ordered CBSA border crossing records, and also downloaded US records.
And some records are missing. I know that it could happen,
but in my case it looks particularly bad.

I have been living in Canada for years now, first on a study permit
and later as a PR. When I got a PR approval letter I was so
excited that the very next day I drove to Detroit to finalize the paperwork
in the Canadian consulate and do the landing.
And it turned out to be closed to visitors that day...

So I drove back home (back into Canada), and tried again (successfully)
about a week later. During both trips I crossed the border both ways the same day,
which would mean 0 days outside of Canada.

However, CBSA has no record of me going back to Canada during the first trip,
and USA has no record of me entering US during my second trip.
Which basically looks like I left Canada, stayed in the US for a week, and then came back.

So I am wondering what I should put in the residency calculator...
If I put two separate trips, it won't match the border crossing records,
and I think it might look suspicious. If I put it as a single, longer trip,
I can't really "declare that the information provided is true, correct and complete"
because I know it is not.

I would prefer to avoid getting an RQ and having my application delayed,
especially since I don't know how I could prove that I was, in fact, in Canada.
I don't have those stamps in my passport either.
I could provide credit card statement showing transactions at locations in Canada,
but I don't know if that would be sufficient. And I would like to avoid getting the RQ altogether!

Any piece of advice will be helpful!

Thanks!

Probably, if you carefully check your credit card statements or cell phone records of those duration, you may find some expenses that incurred in Canada immediately after your return. Those printouts can support your claim that you were in Canada.

 

[dbo73]

Some more questions

On that webpage, I can request I-94 or Entry/Exit records. I should request entry/exit, right?
Also, they ask for an alien number, how would I be given one?

Is there anything specific I should provide in the "description" field?

With the online I-94 request, you see your information right away and it gives you the option to see entry/exit records, too. However, in my case, both options showed the same information.

It is only with the FOIA request, where you actually have to wait.

 

[alphazip]

Once you submit atip, you will receive acknowledgement in two to three days.(that's what you might have received)

I believe that the issue is that the OP must have chosen "examine in person." Therefore, she was informed that the records were available in the office for her to view. Choosing another format will result in copies of the records being sent to her by mail.