Job Discussion Forums

[Skylarz]

Hi, I'm new here and I have a question already. If this has been answered before, please forgive me and direct me to the correct topic (s) that regard it.

When entering a country to work, what do you say at immigration when they ask you what your purpose is in their country? I know most people say "just tell them you're a tourist and don't mention teaching." OK- but what about providing proof of accommodation and/or basic funds etc...? Are countries really that picky or do many not care etc...?

What do you all usually say?

Thanks

[Glenski]

If you enter as a tourist, they will probably expect you to have at least the first night's lodging address at hand. Provide that. You'll also have enough money (or credit cards) on hand to support your tourist time, right? Safe enough. My experience is that a tourist gets asked few questions unless they look suspicious.

[naturegirl321]

Depends on where you go. The most trouble I-ve had is in the USA and Canada. And I-m American. Got 20 questions, why I was there, for how long where I was staying, who I was visiting, why I left the USA ( hmm, because of immigrations)

Most other countries just say welcome.

[tedkarma]

[naturegirl321]

I had to change my name and get a new passport. I went to pick up my passport and waited for an hour while people who came in after me came in and out. Then when it was mine turn. I was grilled AGAIN by an American who refused to speak English to me, kept looking back and forth at my old passport, new passport and me and suspiciously asked me why I had gotten a new passport when the old one still had five years left. Marriage, I told him, then after photocopying all my documents again, I got my passport. And I-m an American, born to Americans and raised in America.

[spiral78]

My Czech spouse of 7.5 years, who works in air traffic control in Canada and therefore has an international security clearance is NEVER given more than a one-year visa to the States at a time. It's maddening. Of all people you'd think immigration and customs would not bother wasting time screening and delaying...

[Skylarz]

Ah, don't get me started on Canada and US immigration. While I have never had any troubles coming back into the US, I think Canada has some of the rudest immigration officers there is out there.

Every time I go there they GRILL the hell out of me and try to sneak in test questions, like I'm some sort of criminal. They even went as far as to tell me I applied for a work visa, when I never did, and accused me of coming there to work illegally as well.

There have been illegal immigrants in both countries who were later on granted citizenship (not even deported, but allowed to remain inside the country , until their citizenship went through!), but anyone who actually wants to enter either country on a legal basis,usually isn't welcome to, unless they have family or a significant other residing in the opposing country.

It's a waste of time screening a young girl wanting to party for a week in Vancouver while allowing the visitors who barely speak English or French to sail right on through without over n hour n 1/2 of questioning. It's pick 'n choose, because for whatever reason the 2 countries hate each other and there isn't a reason too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked, Canada is on the North American continent.

I think both countries need to seriously re-asses their immigration laws.

[MELEE]

[naturegirl321]

I wanted to change my name. Did the de thing so that people knew I was married and I was tired of everyone writing XXX in the second last name section.