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| Subject: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa |
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Happy Friday!
I´m on H1 - did my landing in Canada last year, got the GC and SSN # & returned to USA.
Now I want to visit Canada for two days and meet couple of potential employers that I have spoken with, so I seek your advice on following;
1. If I drive into Canada - can I just show the GC to the officer at the booth and drive-on, or do I still need to get down and show credentials at the office.
2. If I fly into Canada - do I need to give my I-94 to the airline just as I would have if I was traveling out of USA to my country!
For returning to USA
3. Last time when I returned from Canada - the return was smooth, The US Immigration officer asked for my passport, I-797 and that was it. Has anything in the rules changed that should make me rethink or take any precautions! My H1 is valid till October
4. When I fly back from Canada - what does the US airline or Canada officials look for.
When I enter US airport (most likely at New Jersey) what should I expect - is it just like returning from any other country and get new I-94 or is it something different.
Many thanks for your help/feedback
[30-05-2008,12:19]
[**.248.172.70]
Riter |
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(in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
First of all, little correction in the terminology. Canada doesn´t have any GC, they call it PR card.
1. That depends. Most likely don´t have to get down, can simply drive through. If they sneak anything fishy with you (like you lost your PR ship due to longer stay in the US..problem with custom tax..) then only you need to be specially interviewed at their office.
2. You need not to surrender the I-94. It saves time for the USCIS officer when you´ll re-enter. Just take it out of the PP when check-in. Within north America and for a short tour it is no necessary.
3. Nothing changed.
4. Not clear; Fly back from Canada using New Jersey???
Anyway, if flying from Canada then airlines don´t care for your immigration status. The´ll check you in, give boarding pass. then you have to pass through US immigration booths INSIDE the Canadian airports. If you fly from NJ then it means that you are a domestic US passenger. So nothing special, just your DL or PP is fine.
[30-05-2008,15:51]
[***.254.208.246]
DC |
Thanks DC (in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
Thanks Man. Excellent help.
You are absolutely right on the terminology. I can´t believe that I forgot the basic terms like PR. When my PR process was not complete and I was so anxious, I would call words like PR in my sleep.
Quick question; you mentioned things like overstay - technically a PR holder can stay up to 2 yrs. out of Canada, right since PR holder has to be in Canada only three years of the five years limit! Do they ever raise a stink even on things like e.g. - you got your PR year and half years back so why did you not come in earlier etc.
[30-05-2008,16:09]
[**.248.172.70]
Riter |
(in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
Theoretically, 2 years/5 years rule is correct. Practically it is very hard to determine the actual time you stayed out of Canada. Canada doesn´t have any exit stamp, some countries even don´t seal any entry date...So you are almost free to claim anything.
The 1st question you have to answer will be how long did you stay out of Canada.
Many of the PRs land, within few days they go out of Canada and live/work elsewhere. Then they come once in a while. Many of them (defintly not all) don´t file tax in Canada in the mean time (simply meaning they are cheating), some even file 0 income and used to get some social welfare funds...
That´s why the immigration officials become sneaky if they see a PR coming after 2 years. Your PR ship may be still valid but you they may suspect that you are within that dirty group.
[30-05-2008,16:21]
[***.254.208.246]
DC |
Thanks DC. You the Man (in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
Thanks Chief
[30-05-2008,16:46]
[**.248.172.70]
Riter |
(in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
Isn´t it that you can be out of Canada for THREE years, not two? Just to clarify?
[31-05-2008,20:40]
[**.189.189.252]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
Yes, Wannabe, 3 years in total out of every 5 years; also there are some exceptional cases where you can stay for indefinte time without losing the PR status.
[01-06-2008,23:54]
[**.207.127.42]
DC |
Air Line took my I-94 (in reply to: Going To Canada for a recce on H1 visa)
I flew to Canada for landing purpose, the air line crew of Air Canada took away my I-94 while leaving the USA. I plan to stay in Canada for five days. Is it going to be a problem (surrendering I-94) while returning to USA? (I do have Advanced Parole).
Please please help, this is urgent................
[27-06-2008,19:21]
[**.69.87.66]
abal |
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