Why is YVR immigration such jerks?
#76
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AS
Posts: 194
Finally, someone said it. I see that a lot of the responses on here are from US citizens/residents. As a Canadian, I have run the gamut of questioning when I cross into the USA, as I do often. Do they question me hard sometimes? Yes. Does it feel uncomfortable sometimes? Yes. But I know the officer may have a variety of reasons to go down a particular line of questioning, and after it's complete, I know he's just doing his/her job to protect their country.
#78
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
Meanwhile too many 'Muricans believe Canada is the 51st state and that Customs and Immigration should be the Welcome Wagon with a basket of goodies and a warm smile. Think of it as an entire population afflicted with DYKWIA syndrome.
And it's always a laugher when one of them doesn't declare their concealed handgun. They quickly learn that their 2nd Amendment doesn't apply and now qualify for taxpayer-funded meals and accommodation that you don't find on Trip Advisor.
#79
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
I think this once again comes down to the approach the country decides to take. On the one hand you have the US, Canada and Australia who are extremely strict.
On the other hand - most countries in Europe, for example, will admit you following an interview that lasts no longer than stamping your (non-EEC in my case) passport.
Do more scammers (illegal immigrants/workers) enter Europe than Canada ? Probably... OTOH, do the stricter immigration/customs procedures have a real impact on people's travel plans ? Definitely.... I, for example, make an effort to avoid US/Canadian transit as I know that I need to allow for 4 hours+ to account for delays at entry.
On the other hand - most countries in Europe, for example, will admit you following an interview that lasts no longer than stamping your (non-EEC in my case) passport.
Do more scammers (illegal immigrants/workers) enter Europe than Canada ? Probably... OTOH, do the stricter immigration/customs procedures have a real impact on people's travel plans ? Definitely.... I, for example, make an effort to avoid US/Canadian transit as I know that I need to allow for 4 hours+ to account for delays at entry.
My former neighbour works immigration at YVR. The guy is genuinely motivated about his job and I can see he wants to help people out, but he's also supremely jaded about his job simply because of the outright lies people tell. I don't have specific stories, but he really did say that the worst part was dealing with the people who were clearly there to scam the system.
#80
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
I think this once again comes down to the approach the country decides to take. On the one hand you have the US, Canada and Australia who are extremely strict.
On the other hand - most countries in Europe, for example, will admit you following an interview that lasts no longer than stamping your (non-EEC in my case) passport.
Do more scammers (illegal immigrants/workers) enter Europe than Canada ? Probably... OTOH, do the stricter immigration/customs procedures have a real impact on people's travel plans ? Definitely.... I, for example, make an effort to avoid US/Canadian transit as I know that I need to allow for 4 hours+ to account for delays at entry.
On the other hand - most countries in Europe, for example, will admit you following an interview that lasts no longer than stamping your (non-EEC in my case) passport.
Do more scammers (illegal immigrants/workers) enter Europe than Canada ? Probably... OTOH, do the stricter immigration/customs procedures have a real impact on people's travel plans ? Definitely.... I, for example, make an effort to avoid US/Canadian transit as I know that I need to allow for 4 hours+ to account for delays at entry.
#82
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 10
I must admit getting a train from Paris to Glasgow (Scotland) to catch a flight to Canada is unusual. If you were flying from London she probably wouldnt have been bothered.
Its like me getting a train from Boston to Toronto then telling Canadian immigration I want to get a train to Yellowknife to catch a flight back to the UK.
My point however is that the US/Canada border agencies are always so aggressive and smug which is so unnecessary. Im there to spend my tourist money not to live there! Im perfectly happy in my house here thank you very much US/Canadian border agencies!
Was watching a tv programme about Canada Border Security and the CBSA agent was a female of asian origin. She was refusing entry to a Japanese gentlemen and was smirking and seemed so pleased with herself about it! Even though she herself was obviously of an immigrant background! That just irked me. Its hypocritical.
Its like me getting a train from Boston to Toronto then telling Canadian immigration I want to get a train to Yellowknife to catch a flight back to the UK.
My point however is that the US/Canada border agencies are always so aggressive and smug which is so unnecessary. Im there to spend my tourist money not to live there! Im perfectly happy in my house here thank you very much US/Canadian border agencies!
Was watching a tv programme about Canada Border Security and the CBSA agent was a female of asian origin. She was refusing entry to a Japanese gentlemen and was smirking and seemed so pleased with herself about it! Even though she herself was obviously of an immigrant background! That just irked me. Its hypocritical.
Last edited by Chatogal; Nov 28, 2015 at 11:54 pm
#84
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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This made me chuckle. Reminded me of when I went with my Canadian husband in London England to convert his "temporary leave to remain" into a "indefinite leave to remain" (i.e. permanent residency) and our interview was carried out by a lady of Pakistan origin with an accent so thick she was barely understandable. On the subject of rude customs people, we find those on the Canadian border so much worse than when returning to the UK. I have always assumed it is because they have never themselves travelled to European destinations and are copying their next door neighbours surly attitude towards people wishing to come and spend money in their country!
#85
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Was watching a tv programme about Canada Border Security and the CBSA agent was a female of asian origin. She was refusing entry to a Japanese gentlemen and was smirking and seemed so pleased with herself about it! Even though she herself was obviously of an immigrant background! That just irked me. Its hypocritical.
Ethnic minorities working in pasport control type positions tend to ask more questions even of co-national ethnic minorities than those of ethnic majority/plurality backgrounds ask co-national ethnic minorities. This dynamic is observable in many OECD countries. Some of it has to do with ethnic minorities in these positions being relatively more common amongst the younger employees than the older employees in these positions, but that may not explain all of this dynamic. Also, ethnic minority females in these positions tend to slow down co-national, ethnic minority males down more than they slow down co-national ethnic majority males.
If wanting a better immigration processing experience, go for the older employees as they tend to make less fuss for no good reason. This holds true for YVR as well.
My experiences at YVR have been ok. It's at YYZ and YUL where there are a select few whom I don't mind not getting.
#87
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
If wanting a better immigration processing experience, go for the older employees as they tend to make less fuss for no good reason. This holds true for YVR as well.
My experiences at YVR have been ok. It's at YYZ and YUL where there are a select few whom I don't mind not getting.
My experiences at YVR have been ok. It's at YYZ and YUL where there are a select few whom I don't mind not getting.
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,393
I think I had the shortest Immigration interaction of my last 6 years as an Immigrant to Canada a few days ago, at YUL
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
-looks at documents-
"what's your legal status in Canada"
"student"
-keeps looking-
"have a good day"
and off I went
Pretty sure that's a personal best. usually they ask me what and where I study, not sure if that's out of curiosity or if they have to ask to see if it sounds like I'm lying, but... that was surprisingly short lol.
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
-looks at documents-
"what's your legal status in Canada"
"student"
-keeps looking-
"have a good day"
and off I went
Pretty sure that's a personal best. usually they ask me what and where I study, not sure if that's out of curiosity or if they have to ask to see if it sounds like I'm lying, but... that was surprisingly short lol.
#89
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#90
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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On student visas, sometimes, one condition is that you must notify them if you change schools, if your visa allows it (and, if it's your first time, to ensure that your declaration at the border is consistent with your visa application.)