return plane ticket to hometown in US, but leaving from Buffalo...acceptable?

[Murphy25]

Hi,

I'm an American living in Toronto with my Canadian girlfriend, hoping to eventually apply for common law spousal visa. We are flying to America for Christmas, then Mexico for a few days then straight back up to Toronto.

I will probably be purchasing a return ticket to the US just to show the immigration officer, as I hear this will increase the chances of them letting me back in.

I'm just curious if it matters whether my return ticket is from Toronto airport or Buffalo? the buffalo fare is more than $100 cheaper is the only reason.

Also, do you think it would help or hurt my chances of getting through if my girlfriend stands with me, and we go through immigration together, telling them I'm just there to visit her for a month or so? Or should I just tell them I'm visiting friends and have her stand in a different line? I will have financial statements showing I can support myself while I'm here. Thanks in advance

 

[Creampop]

Situations like this can go either way depending on the IO at POE. If the IO is in a good mood then probably no problems, if they have had a bad day, could be a bad out come also depends on alot of things... how often you have crossed the border, how long have you been in Canada, how long your trip is (sometimes depending on IO the longer the better), do not buy a round trip ticket and then a ticket home... if it is round trip from and then to Canada it will make them ask more questions... speaking from experience here... since you havn't applied for PR yet there really isn't much to back up that part of your story, because you can't say I am "living in Toronto" with my girlfriend. was your passport port stamped last time you entered? or did you receive a VR? have you been in Canada longer then 6 months if so did you file for an extension? the main thing is tho don't lie, travel together looks better when filing your common-law application keep your ticket stubs as evidence. Good Luck!

 

[Murphy25]

thanks Creampop.

regarding what you said about the tix, I was afraid of that. unfortunately the round trip ticket is already bought, so buying a one way ticket home is sort of my only option to show proof that I will leave. Do you think they will ask for my itinerary on the flight I just got off from?

passport was not stamped last time I came through (drove across at Niagara), I've only been here for 3 months, will be applying for extension when the time comes.

and I hear what you are saying about how a lot of the outcome here comes down to what side of the bed the IO woke up on...which is just incredibly frustrating.