PR Card and Other Info

[Ari2002]

Dear All,

I currently reside in the U.S. on an H1B visa. Previously I was on F1 visa. I also obtained PR status of Canada in May 2001 and since been living in the U.S. on a valid RRP (expiring December 2002). I am a citizen of Bangladesh. As per the PR card schedule, I am expected to apply for the card between Dec. 02 - Jan. 03. But, during this troubling time, I am really hesitant to travel to Canada to apply for the card.

1) Is the U.S. embassy in Canada still imposing the 20 days mandatory wait period to process non-immigrant visa? Are they giving appointments to third country nationals not living in Canada (specially people from the sub-continent)?

2) Now that all PRs living in Canada will need a visa stamp to travel U.S.A. from January 2003 (came to know about this from a recent thread), does that indicate the end of "contiguous territory rule"?

3) If for any case, I fail the December 31 2003 deadline of applying for the PR card, can I still enter Canada by driving my own car/get a ride from friends/ or walk accross the bridge in Niagara, since these do not fall in the category of commercial carrier?

I know the questions are long, but, I believe, there are many out there in the same boat like you and me and would be greatly benefited from any expert comments/suggestions/thoughts on the above questions.

Thanks for your patience,

Ari

 

[vault]

Originally posted by Ari2002
Dear All,

I currently reside in the U.S. on an H1B visa. Previously I was on F1 visa. I also obtained PR status of Canada in May 2001 and since been living in the U.S. on a valid RRP (expiring December 2002). I am a citizen of Bangladesh. As per the PR card schedule, I am expected to apply for the card between Dec. 02 - Jan. 03. But, during this troubling time, I am really hesitant to travel to Canada to apply for the card.

1) Is the U.S. embassy in Canada still imposing the 20 days mandatory wait period to process non-immigrant visa? Are they giving appointments to third country nationals not living in Canada (specially people from the sub-continent)?

IF YOU ARE FROM ONE OF THE LISTED COUNTRIES PUBLISHED BY INS, AND IF YOU APPLY FOR A VISA, IT COULD TAKE UP TO 60 DAYS TO PROCESS YOUR VISA. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY FOR 60 DAYS.

2) Now that all PRs living in Canada will need a visa stamp to travel U.S.A. from January 2003 (came to know about this from a recent thread), does that indicate the end of "contiguous territory rule"?

THIS HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER YET. THERE IS A PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT IT. NO ONE IS SURE AS TO WHEN THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.

3) If for any case, I fail the December 31 2003 deadline of applying for the PR card, can I still enter Canada by driving my own car/get a ride from friends/ or walk accross the bridge in Niagara, since these do not fall in the category of commercial carrier?

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PR CARD BY DECEMBER 2003, AND YOU TRY TO ENTER CANADA IN JANUARY 2004 YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER. DRIVING YOUR OWN CAR WIHT US PLATES AS A CANADIAN LANDED IMMIGRANT IS OUT OF QUESTION. IF SOMEONE DRIVES YOU IN A CANADIAN PLATED CAR, AND IF THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION DOES NOT CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS (THATS IF YOU ARE LUCKY), THEN YOU WILL BE OK. THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE CIC A MILLION AND ONE REASONS AS TO WHY YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO.

I know the questions are long, but, I believe, there are many out there in the same boat like you and me and would be greatly benefited from any expert comments/suggestions/thoughts on the above questions.

Thanks for your patience,

Ari