Minors: Getting Through Customs

[Gonçalo]

If you visited your SO for the first time as a minor in a different country you probably had to go through customs (unless both countries are part of the Schengen Area). I just completely freak out thinking about going through customs... what if they don't let me? I've made that questions in FlyerTalk forums and most of the members said that there were a lot of red flags on my trip and that I could get my entrance denied.

So if you flew to your SO as a minor, how did you get through? What did they ask? How long it took? How many airport layover time do you recommend for someone who's doing connection flights (in my case Porto-Frankfurt-Toronto-Montreal) to not risk losing the flight?

[Christian]

Hello i was a minor when i first went over to meet my SO and her family only by about 1-2 years but still. all they asked me was of course where i was staying, who with, how long, had i met them before, etc etc basically you could lie your entire way through but one thing i seriously recommend carrying with you is a Signed note from your parents/Guardian because sometimes they might ask for that or they might phone your parents you should be ok just be honest and make sure you have a return flight booked and that the family will say they're responsible for you (sometimes canada asks whoever you're staying with if they're able to pay for you and stuff) and as for Layover times i would say 2-3 hours between each flight so as not to risk missing one. If you have any more questions you can message me or respond here and i'll reply pretty quickly since i have no life

[Gonçalo]

Hello i was a minor when i first went over to meet my SO and her family only by about 1-2 years but still. all they asked me was of course where i was staying, who with, how long, had i met them before, etc etc basically you could lie your entire way through but one thing i seriously recommend carrying with you is a Signed note from your parents/Guardian because sometimes they might ask for that or they might phone your parents you should be ok just be honest and make sure you have a return flight booked and that the family will say they're responsible for you (sometimes canada asks whoever you're staying with if they're able to pay for you and stuff) and as for Layover times i would say 2-3 hours between each flight so as not to risk missing one. If you have any more questions you can message me or respond here and i'll reply pretty quickly since i have no life

Thank you for the answer! I'm flying to Canada and I'm pretty worried about all this, and about what people have been telling me-- that I'll get my entrance denied.

Right now this is what I'm taking to Canada:
- Passport (I don't need a visa);
- Portuguese ID;
- International Healthcare Card (I don't know the name in English);
- Invitation Letter (should I take one? it's just on my to-do list);
- Letter from my school stating that I intend to return to Portugal;
- The return ticket (of course ahahah!);
- Authorization letter from my legal guardian, my mother (divorced);
- Evidence in how she's my legal guardian;
- Birth Certificate.

Am I missing anything? Is it enough to get my entrance in Canada?
Anyways, you can either answer here or through PM if you feel more comfortable, for me it's all good!

[Christian]

first off i wouldn't bring your birth certificate you shouldn't need it and it might make the border staff think you're planning on getting a job since it's a requirement for employers (basically just leave it you won't need it) and hmm you should be ok for the most part it's gonna be more about your story you have everything you need in terms of documents. So what do you plan on telling them when you get to the desk?

[Gonçalo]

first off i wouldn't bring your birth certificate you shouldn't need it and it might make the border staff think you're planning on getting a job since it's a requirement for employers (basically just leave it you won't need it) and hmm you should be ok for the most part it's gonna be more about your story you have everything you need in terms of documents. So what do you plan on telling them when you get to the desk?

Well since I'm traveling on December 17th, and returning to Portugal on January 3rd I'll just tell them that I'm there to spend the Christmas and New Year with my SO's family and that I'm also there to visit Montreal.

I read it on their website, I'll just bring a copy and show them only if they ask for it, I'll keep it in my bag I guess hehe :P

[Christian]

Yeah that's the story i used didn't have any problems at all, the worst that can happen is they'll just ask you more questions or ask your SO or whoever's picking you up to come and answer some questions. So i would say you'll be good based off my experience
and yeah a copy doesn't hurt to have

[Gonçalo]

Yeah that's the story i used didn't have any problems at all, the worst that can happen is they'll just ask you more questions or ask your SO or whoever's picking you up to come and answer some questions. So i would say you'll be good based off my experience
and yeah a copy doesn't hurt to have

Even if they were questioned, I think they wouldn't be dumb enough to tell them I was meeting them for the first time :P I HOPE SO! Otherwise I'm done xd

[Christian]

Even if they were questioned, I think they wouldn't be dumb enough to tell them I was meeting them for the first time :P I HOPE SO! Otherwise I'm done xd

Well i hope so too! make sure you rehearse the story

[Gonçalo]

Something just came up. I'm from Portugal and I've always lived here. In this website - https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/inform...edical/dcl.asp - it says that I'm supposed to do medical exams. Am I getting the information right? Sounds really odd for an European to have to do exams, even the Spanish who are just 1 hour away from me don't need to take medical exams.

[Christian]

that's only if you intend to stay for more than six months (which you don't)

[Gonçalo]

that's only if you intend to stay for more than six months (which you don't)

Well but it says that people who "have lived or travelled for six months in a country or territory listed below in the year before you come to Canada" also need a medical exam... am I getting it horribly wrong?

[silvermoonfairy3]

am I getting it horribly wrong?

Yes.
That's for immigration and stays of 6 months or longer, you're a 2 week tourist.
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/inform...exams-temp.asp

[Gonçalo]

Yes.
That's for immigration and stays of 6 months or longer, you're a 2 week tourist.
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/inform...exams-temp.asp

What a relief! Thank you very much!
I'm sorry, English is not my native language and sometimes I get into this kind of awkward situations!

[Gonçalo]

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trav...-montreal.html

Getting scarier.

[Redheart14]

Gotta love the first persons reply...not! Some people are so rude.
Don't worry I'm sure it'll be ok. You've got great replies from members here hopefully that puts you at ease!