Bringing pets into the country while traveling on an advanced parole?

GrandSportC3

Registered Users (C)
My wife wants to bring back her dog from Mexico. She is travelling on a advanced parole. The dog has been vaccinated (rabis).
I read the US Customs and Dept. of Agriculture page and it doesn't mention if immigration status is a factor when bringing pets into the country.. I thought that it doesn't matter but my wifes sister said that you can only bring a pet into the country if you are already a permanent resident or citizen.. Is this true or can anybody bring a pet or only citizens and green card holders?
 
I thought that it doesn't matter but my wifes sister said that you can only bring a pet into the country if you are already a permanent resident or citizen..

So long as the animal can be admitted, she should be fine. Does your sister-in-law work for CBP? If not, ignore her.
 
You may want to verify that before you embark on bringing the animal into the US. I know they have different rules about importing stuffs into the US. I have been told Canadians are not allowed for instance to import cars into the US but they can bring a car in for a specified length of time after which they will have the car leave the US or ask for an extension but a citizen or PR can import cars into the US. The dog issue may also be viewed as "importing" into the US. All you have to do is go the CBP website or call the port which your wife intends to come in from and ask them that question. I am not trying to play the devil's advocate here but I think it will serve you better to know beforehand rather than be informed at the border that you had to give up your dog or something. That's my two cents.
 
The dog most first bark his intent. If he barks immigrant intent, you have to wait for the dog's priority date to come current first, unless he's eligible for trotting-to-join. He has to submit a DS-230 immigrant visa application signed with his right front paw, all paw-fingers must be clearly visible on the signature line.

Just kidding! Wiener Schmäh. :p ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have been told Canadians are not allowed for instance to import cars into the US but they can bring a car in for a specified length of time after which they will have the car leave the US or ask for an extension but a citizen or PR can import cars into the US.

That's incorrect - I've imported two vehicles into the US myself. There are different rules for temporary versus permanent importation under NAFTA for Canadians, which may be the source of the confusion. I think all that's certain is that one should be careful paying too much importance to stuff one hears. Your advice to call the POE in advance is most sound.
 
Did you import them as a Canadian or as a resident? Because when I tried to do so when I was still a non-resident, I was told at the POE that I couldn't. But that I was allowed to bring it in for a period of one year after which the car must leave the US or apply for extension. I did not hear this from a third person because I was at the POE in person. I am not saying that you are not correct but the agent may have misinformed me.
 
Did you import them as a Canadian or as a resident?

Both. I am Canadian, and a US resident.

Because when I tried to do so when I was still a non-resident, I was told at the POE that I couldn't.

That makes sense, you cannot import the cars unless you are establishing residency (even if temporary). I suspect that there was some confusion at the POE as well - were you entering on a TN, or some other status?
 
Thanks for all the answers.. I called USCIS and US Customs and both said the if the dog has the vaccination record, there is no problem!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
When I first moved to the US on an H1B I brought two cats along with me - no problem at all. I can't imagine there would be any issues with someone bringing a pet either temporarily or permanently, just so long as they were entering legally.
 
Top