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| Subject: Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status |
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Dear Experts,
I am planning to go to Toronto next week via Detroit. I have a PR that I landed few years back, stayed there in Canada for a year then came to US on H1 and now I am going back to Canada since I got a job opportunity and only one year left on my PR. I calculated the dates and it looks like I will be short by three weeks to be in PR Status if I leave next week. I am not sure if it will be a problem at the border. I am also planning to take my car with me which I have been using for 2years but it is a rebuilt vehicle. In such a situation I have a following few questions.
1) Looking at the above scenario, Is it wise to drive or fly? Which will be better with respect to the PR Status issue at the immigration.
2) I researched on riv.ca but Could not get any info on Honda Accord 2001 rebuilt vehicle. Do you know if it is allowed to take this car which is rebuilt.
3) I dont have any bill of sale. I just bought it from one of my friend. So how do the customs calculate how much I need to pay since it is a rebuilt vehicle. I am roughly estimating a 1000 cdn dollars on all the expenses related to tax, registration,vehicle alteration and import. Or will it be more than 1000.
4) Is it possible that the border officials deny my entry since I only have a year left on my PR card or do not allow my car? In such a case, I cannot come back to US. What will they do. Just thinking on worst case scenarios...
I want to thank you in advance for your expert advise.
[21-05-2009,18:54]
[**.2.142.7]
CAPR |
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Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status (in reply to: Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status)
Can some one guide me please. I have to leave in a few days and I am waiting on your advise.
Thanks.
[22-05-2009,17:33]
[**.2.142.7]
CAPR |
(in reply to: Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status)
1) If your PR status is in question, then looking for a way around it by means of entry won´t help, really. But I´d say entry by land is probably more relaxed.
2) I would call RIV directly and ask them about your Honda. After all, they´re the experts with final say in the matter. I´ve called them in the past many times about my vehicle, and they were always helpful:
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/contact_us.html
3) Call Canadian Customs. Again, they´re very helpful over the phone with any questions:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/general-generaux-eng.html
4) If your PR card is still valid and not expired, and if you´re still in status, then you´re ok, regardless of your Honda. At the border (land or air entry), they will ask how long you´ve been outside of Canada. If you´ve been outside longer than you should (more than 3 out of 5 years to maintain PR), then that could be a problem and they could deny you entry. But if you have a visa free passport, you might be able to enter Canada on that basis alone, as a visitor.
It´s not clear in your question if you´ve been outside of Canada more than 3 of 5 years. That makes the difference in your situation.
[22-05-2009,17:52]
[**.192.28.31]
Richard |
Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status (in reply to: Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status)
Thank you so much Richard for your kind response.
" But if you have a visa free passport, you might be able to enter Canada on that basis alone, as a visitor "
1) --sorry..I didn´t understand this. I have a H1B visa stamped on my passport. How can I enter canada as a Visitor.
"It?s not clear in your question if you?ve been outside of Canada more than 3 of 5 years. That makes the difference in your situation. "
2) --- My PR will expire in July 2010. In the last 4 years, I was there for 11 months. It means I was outside of Canada for 3 years. If I go now I will be short by couple of weeks.
3) Finally, if I drive through Detroit do I have to go through Customs and go through all the car import process first or does the immigration comes first. I just want to know this so that if for some reason I am denied the entry because of PR status, it will be waste to pay for the car import.
Thanks again Richard.
[22-05-2009,18:16]
[**.2.142.7]
CAPR |
(in reply to: Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status)
Looks to me like you´re ok (barely), but you must return to Canada immediately and stay there continuously to complete the 2 out of 5 year requirement. But you shouldn´t be fearful that they´ll refuse you entry, since you´re already a legally landed PR.
By visa free passport, I meant that you could enter Canada as a visitor whenever you want if you don´t need a visa. But it sounds like this would not apply to you if you have an H1B visa for the U.S. Exceptions would be a few countries like Poland, who´s citizens require visas to enter the U.S., but can enter Canada visa-free.
Finally, if you drive through Detroit and your PR status is still fine (which it sounds like to me), you should haved no problem entering Canada. If you´re bringing in your car and want to import it, then that process will be done at about the same time you enounter the immigration officers. After they verify your status for entry, they´ll have you pull over and send you to Customs to complete your import. But you´ll need the proper paperwork, such as car title, any recall notices, etc. It´s all listed at the RIV website, above. Also, was your car on your original "Goods to Follow" list? If not, you´ll need to pay taxes on the value of the car right then and there. If I were you, I´d read up on all the paperwork needed to import the car and prepare that now.
Hope this helps. All the best to you CAPR.
[22-05-2009,19:17]
[***.131.11.77]
Richard |
Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status (in reply to: Rebuilt Vehicle / PR Status)
Thank you so much Richard. I was scared and nervous thinking that I might have lost my PR Status. Appreciate your help.
[26-05-2009,14:30]
[**.2.142.7]
CAPR |
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