Landing in Canada and coming back to USA by Road

S

scanada

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I am on h1b in US and recently got my permanent residence visa stamped for canada which is valid till november. I am planning to Canada through Niagara (Rainbow Bridge) for this month ending by road and come back to usa after applying the SIN (Social Insurance) on monday.
What are the steps do I need to take?
Can I drive my own car, will there be any problems at the customs?
While coming back to US will there be any problems?

any help appreciated.

Thanks
 
What are the steps do I need to take?

-- People who have landed recently can answer this more effectively than me.

Can I drive my own car, will there be any problems at the customs?

-- No problem at all - just tell them that you are just "landing" and will be back in the US. Then you will come back soon to settle permanently.

While coming back to US will there be any problems?

-- No - as long as you have a valid re-entry visa to enter the US and you are not on the I-485/AP stage..
 
Thank you very much.

Can I apply for SIN next day of landing?
The settlement amount should only be in check format or American Bank statements are also valid?
 
Can I apply for SIN next day of landing?

-- Yes, you can - as long as it is a working day. Give a cdn address, they (most probably) do not accept american address.

The settlement amount should only be in check format or American Bank statements are also valid?

-- Carrying a check with you is a safe thing - My opinion: always carry a check - will cost you a few dollars and you can deposit it back into your american bank account.. Showing bank statements is a dicy situation.
 
Hi Bigboy00,

Did you mean there will be a problem if one tries to come back to US using AP right after landing? Do you mind explain this to me?

I just got my AP but still have valid H1 status (never used AP yet). Should I just use AVR to come back? Do you think there will be any issue in this case?

Thanks.
 
There could be a problem if you are on AP. This is my understanding. I should tell you that I have never gone through this phase and I know this from my friend's experience..You might want to re-verify.

You could face problem because once you are on AP, you are not on any visa (even if your H1 sticker is valid) since AP means your US PR is almost approved, but you are not "there" yet. That is why the AP is given to you in case you want to go out of country and re-enter, without abandoning the US green card process. The border crossing rules for Canada could be different and you might want to ask your "green card attorney" if it is safe to exit the US and if it is possible to come back. If yes, then you are fine. Because for cdn PR, you have no problem. But re-entering the US could be something else..So, my advice is that you should verify with the US attorney.

Did you mean there will be a problem if one tries to come back to US using AP right after landing? Do you mind explain this to me?

I just got my AP but still have valid H1 status (never used AP yet). Should I just use AVR to come back? Do you think there will be any issue in this case?
 
Travel with valid US non-imm visa

Hello- I am out of country and my family with minor child want to travel back to US with valid visa as dependent. Which border post is safest to cross with out any trouble?
Also is there a issue if minor is travelling with one parent only?

Regards
 
Landing Experience thru Rainbow Bridge

Landing was pretty cool...


At the counter I Just gave my passport and told the officer, that I am here for completing the landing procedure.

Q. Where is your is current residence ?
A. I gave some place name in Toronto.

Q. What is the address of your current residence.
A. I gave the address in toronto (print out)

Q.Are you bringing any goods with you.
A. I have a list of all the goods( tried to give it to her , but she said it is fine and made a note on a yellow slip and directed me to the immigration building )

At the immigration building :

There were two officers.
- He asked for my passport and documents
- checked it for few minutes and entered some things in the computer talked to his collegue.

Q. Where is your current residence.
A. some place name in toronto.

Q. What is the address?
A. Gave the print out of address.

Q. Is it a apartment or .... ?
A. Infact I do not know, simply said Yes, it is an apt.

Q.DO you have any proof of settlement amount.
A. Yes. (Gave the cashiers checks)

After checking it for a min

Q. Do you have any other amount apart from these.
A. Yes, $200

He entered the amount and address on the document

While entering the address in the document

Q. What is your contact number?
A. I tried to give my US number ....

Q then he immediately asked , do u intend to keep the present number or would like to change?
A. Yes I will be changing my number shortly, but I can provide you with a contact number of my friend.

Then he talked to his collegue and took the number of my canadian friend.

Q. What are you bringing from US.
A I showed him the list.

took the signature on couple of docs and said that my PR card will reach to the given address in 5 to 7 weeks.

greeted - Welcome to Canada and asked me to go to another officer to surrender the list to follow doc.

She took the doc and took some extra details like (What TV, how many inches, digital camera or normal camera? dining table measurements etc. etc..)

again welcome to canada.....


next day, applied for SIN, just took all my docs ... simple process 15 min.
I got the SIN number immediayely, but the card will be posted to the canadian address with in a week!

next day, back to pavillion to USA

At the US border
took the passports ... looked in to each page of my passports

Q. Why were you in canada.
Q. Which national?
Q. Why are you coming to USA?
Q. How long are you in US?
Q. Where do you live?
Q. Where is your permit? (I94)

thats it .....


but keep all the docs ready for proof!
do your home work and be confident !

Good luck!
 
H4 to H1 Status and Canadian Landed Immigrant confused.

Hi All,

I came to US first time on H4 stamping in US and then I have change H4 to H1 and got new Approval and I-94 valid till sep 2007. working on H1 almost 9 months. Still I have H4 stamping in my passport H4 Visa Valid till Feb 2007.

I have got my PR for Canada and I have to enter into Canada before Aug 4th 2006.

I am bit confused.

1] what is best option going to canada and coming back ? I am planning to go by Car cause I am in Detroit.

2] Do I need to get stamped for H1 Visa from Canada for coming back to US again.

3] I am planning to go for only 3 days is there any options available? I heard and read on this forum about "AVR Automatic Revalidation of visa" which tells that with New I-94 (comes with my H1 Approval) I can travel for max 30 days. is it works for me also ?

Please guide me if anybody having knowledge of it.

Thanks in Advance,
 
Hi Scanada,
Thanks for your postings. These are really helpful. Could you mind telling me how much money do we need to carry? Also when coming back to us what did you say the purpose of trip was for for
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top