Canadian PR and Visa stamping in Vancouver

P

Purva

Registered Users (C)
Hello,

My husband works in a big IT firm here in the US and we are planning a trip to India in December. After many attempts to get an appointment in Mumbai, we have now decided to get my H4 and his H1 (8th year extension) stamped in Vancouver. We are Permanent Residents of Canada, but we live in the U.S. Here are my questions -

1. Since we are permanent residents, can we arrive in Canada on our PR card without any issues? Do they ask questions like why have you not moved here yet etc? This will be our second trip to Canada after we become permanent residents and in our first trip they asked us things like where is your luggage etc? Any experiences that can be shared?

2. My husband does not have any US degree and has a BE Mechanical degree in India. But he has done some software courses in India and has been working in the US in the same field since Feb 1999. He has three H1 stampings in his passport. Two from India and one from Ottawa. Is there any risk involved? I have read in the forum that they are rejecting visas if one does not have a US degree. Will the experience he has cover up for the US degree?

3. Since he is going for a H1 extension stamping, what additional documents do we need to carry?

4. Canadian PR residents who have gone to Canada for stamping, is it better to drive to Vancouver or fly or it does not matter? Can we drive in a rental car?

5. Any dos and don't for Vancouver consulate. We will have your 18 month old son with us. I believe we can take him along.

Thank you all. This is a great forum and the help and support everyone offers each other is wonderful! :)

Purva
 
Visa Stamping

My husband works in a big IT firm here in the US and we are planning a trip to India in December. After many attempts to get an appointment in Mumbai, we have now decided to get my H4 and his H1 (8th year extension) stamped in Vancouver. We are Permanent Residents of Canada, but we live in the U.S. Here are my questions -

Hello Purva,

I hope the following responses should get back on your way and you should be good to go.

1. Since we are permanent residents, can we arrive in Canada on our PR card without any issues? Do they ask questions like why have you not moved here yet etc? This will be our second trip to Canada after we become permanent residents and in our first trip they asked us things like where is your luggage etc? Any experiences that can be shared?

---- Yes, you can arrive in Canada on your PR card without any issues. You should have your PR card in hand to show. If you had traveled earlier, you should have had more experience than anyone else

2. My husband does not have any US degree and has a BE Mechanical degree in India. But he has done some software courses in India and has been working in the US in the same field since Feb 1999. He has three H1 stampings in his passport. Two from India and one from Ottawa. Is there any risk involved? I have read in the forum that they are rejecting visas if one does not have a US degree. Will the experience he has cover up for the US degree?

---- If you have had 3 H1 stampings, this time it should be a breeze. It is a good story to listen to and even read on websites that if you do not have a US degree the visa can be rejected. There is only a remote chance in your case for the visa to be rejected as you've already had 3 stampings - what more do you need. Moreover, this is not your first stamping in Canada also

3. Since he is going for a H1 extension stamping, what additional documents do we need to carry?

Carry proof that you've applied for green card in the US, like the Labor clearance letter and if I-140 is cleared carry that also.

4. Canadian PR residents who have gone to Canada for stamping, is it better to drive to Vancouver or fly or it does not matter? Can we drive in a rental car?

It depends from where you are driving and the distance you are driving. By driving you need not submit the I-94 card at the border adn that will help you come back to US if there is a delay in processing your visa. Flying/Driving - Decision is yours

5. Any dos and don't for Vancouver consulate. We will have your 18 month old son with us. I believe we can take him along.

Read the postings and the threads. Loads of info is posted.
You definitely can take your son along with you.

Out of curiosity - We hope that you have taken an appointment for him also as his passport needs to be stamped with a H4 visa

Further concerns, drop into the forum

Subramanya
 
3. Since he is going for a H1 extension stamping, what additional documents do we need to carry?

.
------------------------ He needs the same documents that he took for Visa stamping in Ottawa,new H1 approval notice, copy of LCA and I-129 that was filed by lawyer with USCIS, pay stubs, employer letter, degree certificates, W-2, photographs, tax papers

NOT needed for H1 or H4 Visa stamping:
"Carry proof that you've applied for green card in the US, like the Labor clearance letter and if I-140 is cleared carry that also"

4. Canadian PR residents who have gone to Canada for stamping, is it better to drive to Vancouver or fly or it does not matter?
Can we drive in a rental car?

It depends from where you are driving and the distance you are driving.

By driving you need not submit the I-94 card at the border adn that will help you come back to US if there is a delay in processing your visa. Flying/Driving - Decision is yours
------------------ if they apply H1 or H4 and visa is denied in Canada then they can not come back to US with same I-94, one need to depart from Canada to home country and then get visa stamping and then enter US with valid Visa stamp. Canada immigration dont ask for I-94 and flight to Canada from US is treated as domestic flight and they dont take the I-94.

Subramanya[/QUOTE]
 
Purva said:
Hello,

My husband works in a big IT firm here in the US and we are planning a trip to India in December. After many attempts to get an appointment in Mumbai, we have now decided to get my H4 and his H1 (8th year extension) stamped in Vancouver. We are Permanent Residents of Canada, but we live in the U.S. Here are my questions -

1. Since we are permanent residents, can we arrive in Canada on our PR card without any issues?
------------ you will be asked question at airport or at border when you left Canada, and what is your Canada address provide the correct date and address. if you have not stayed in Canada for 2 years in last 5 years then you may have abandoned your PR status in Canada.they can check the passport stamps of entry to US, Canada immigration dont stamp the passport when you depart Canada

Do they ask questions like why have you not moved here yet etc?
---------- they can
This will be our second trip to Canada after we become permanent residents and in our first trip they asked us things like where is your luggage etc? Any experiences that can be shared?
-------------- post or read the Canada related thread
4. Canadian PR residents who have gone to Canada for stamping, is it better to drive to Vancouver or fly or it does not matter?
Can we drive in a rental car?
---- if you are driving Canada plates car they dont ask much questions. if enter as Canada PR driving US plated car the can ask for Driving licence because once you are Canada resident you need to drive with Canada licence. 3 weeks back person at Peace Bridge border was stoped he came back to US and took the flight. I dont know much about this DL matter call up some one in Canada and clear before you rent a car. if you have Phone # of Canada border post ask them in advance regarding rental car or DL matter

5. Any dos and don't for Vancouver consulate. We will have your 18 month old son with us. I believe we can take him along.
---------- read the US consulate Vancouver site they may not allow the kids
Click to expand...
 
Thank you both for your response. My son is a US citizen, so no H4 is required for him. Thank you both again.

Purva
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top