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Topic: Canada Landing and H1B Stamping/AVR
delhiguy
Thanks for the information in detail..looks like you had a smooth ride all the way..happy for you...
I am trying to get an appointment for US consulate in Canada..but no luck so far..so i think AVR and AP are my only other options..
couple of questions:
~did you have to mention to the officer that you wanted to enter using AVR?
~did they ask you or did you inform them about your AP at any point?
~I am currently on H1B and wondering what would be my status if I enter using AVR? to the best of m
~my spouse returned from India using AP and they stamped parolee on her I-94 so I assume she will have to use AP again...
Thanks again for the details
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~did you have to mention to the officer that you wanted to enter using AVR?
No, I just gave him my passport and 797
~did they ask you or did you inform them about your AP at any point?
No, , I didn't even mention abt my GC/AP or anything else. He didn't ask either.
~I am currently on H1B and wondering what would be my status if I enter using AVR? to the best of m
Ur ststus will remain H1B
~my spouse returned from India using AP and they stamped parolee on her I-94 so I assume she will have to use AP again...
Yes.
Good Luck.
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My 797 expires Oct 8. Extension application in process, may or may not be approved before end Sept. I need to go to Canada on Sept 30 and plan to return Oct 7. My current 797 will then be valid for just one more day. If I show US IO the current 797 plus receipt notice for the extension petition, do you think they will let me come in using AVR? Does anyone have relevant experience? I do have AP as a fallback option.
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Softqtech,
Can you post how was your experience? I am planning to go for my landing on this weekend (29th Aug). I will be going thro' vancouver as my port of entry.
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Guys,
I have a valid H1 B visa but changed my job from employer A to employer B. Talking to my attorney with employer B - there is no need to get any stamping to come back to US.
Anyone has gone thro' same experience? I am not using AVR but my valid H1B visa.
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Thanks for sharing your experience delhiguy79. Heartly Congratulations to you. I will be doing the same soon in September or October.
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IndianMunda, welcome back to the forum. I believe your attorney is right. I have done the same thing without any issues. However that was back in 2002.
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Guys,
A quick question, as I have entered US on Aug 23, 2008 via Niagara Falls in US on AVR. So whenever I fill Ar-11 or any application I have to give the current entry details, right? or do I need to fill the date March27, 2007 (the day I came from India to US and got I-94?
Any Comments.
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Hi,
Every thing worked the way I was expecting.
I landed at Vancouver Airport, and their they asked to
why you landed? A) Landed Immigrant
How long will you be going to stay here? A) 7 days
Are you planning to go back to US ? A) Yes, not right now I will search for job and living place first.
They she said ok, and gaved me the documents and instructed me to get back in Customs and Immigration (Second Department)
There I waited about 1 hour, and my number came finally
Person was good, he asked me couple of questions likes
How much money I have? A) $00000.00
Do you have kids, A) Yes
Where are they a) USA
Why they were not landed with you? A) first I want to setlle down, and then they will join me
Then he wrote all information on landed document, and took a sign from me. Then asked for Canada Address.
One thing I did not understood about the list of stuff which I carried, and the list of stuff that will arive after
some time, They did not stamped those lists, they said we don't deal with this, they gave me a paper with a phone
number, it says after your shipment arrive in canada call this number and get an appointment.
Any way after entering in canada I spended sunday and monday at Victoria Island, and Downtown vancouver.
On Monday evening I reached at airport, and US Immigration asked me few questions like
Why you came to Canada a) to do some landing formalities
how long you stayed in Canada a) just three days
do you have friends here A)no, I stayed at hotel
Where you work a) I gaved my employer name
what is your title a) gave my title
after that he took my finger prints and rest of formalities.
He let me in, and they issued a new I94.
After that I was pretty much having party time at airport untill my flight.
so every thing worked out great, AVR did work.
Thanks every one from this forum, it helped me a lot.
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softqtech,
thanks for the detailed post..it surely helps most of us..
have you filed for your green card yet? i dont see any information on your profile..
did you have a valid visa to return to US?
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Thanks much gaveuponusgc. This forum always have answers to questions which pops in my mind :)
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just got over phone with my attorney..
My H1b visa expired and I am planning to appear at embassy if at all i can manage to get an appointment..
my initial plan was to appear at consulate if denied visa then I will use AP or AVR to re-enter US and continue working on H1 B .....
My attorney said she has not heard of any thing like AVR...
Contradictory to every one on this forum she says once i use AP to re-enter I would LOSE my h1 and will have to work on EAD...or I will have to re-file another H1B to get back to H1B status....
she has asked me to request an extension for canadian visa and travel to canada once my EAD is renewed..my ead expires on oct 2nd..
I am in mess....
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Hi MiyaBhai
First of all if your visa for h1b denied then you can not use AVR( it strictly said in AVR documentation)
"Contradictory to every one on this forum she says once i use AP to re-enter I would LOSE my h1 and will have to work on EAD...or I will have to re-file another H1B to get back to H1B status.... "
This is correct, my attorney said the same thing to me.
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softqtech
thanks for your response...
I am required to complete my landing process no later than 22nd october 2008.
I am wondering If I could ask for an extension on this date..
1) what are the chances that they might extend it..has anyone got it extended before..
2) is it even a good idea to ask for extension..or does it have any cons to it..
Thanks
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I don't think they can extend it unless you have some change in family like (you guy's expecting a baby), then they may consider some thing, beside that I think their is no way.
There is nothing wrong in trying to ask them.
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any suggestion in getting an appointment at canadian consulate ( vancouver )? I am trying to get an appointment since last 2 weeks but to no avail. Please advice. Thanks.
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MiyaBhai,
If u have valid 797 and expired visa u can re-enter it as I, softqtech has done it.
Good luck.
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delhiguy79,
i guess you have used AVR as well right?
my attorney is insisting that if I enter on Advance parole, I cannot work on H1 anymore... and will have to use EAD instead..i will have to reapply for another one if i need to get back to H1 status
Is there any resource i can show her to prove that I can work on H1
Thanks
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Hi Delhiquy79
Did they update the mailing address of canada on your file?
I checked mine online, they have not did it, and they have not update the status on my case.
Could you check your information and reply me back.
I am little worried about the way they wrote the canada address on landing document.
They wrote like this
999 - 115 Streeet name
City, state zip.
999- represent the apartment number, which usually they write after street name.
Any one is having the same problem?, or how should I make sure they have correct address on my file?
Thanks
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successfully utilized AVR at the border.
I entered US in 2001 on F 1 and then got to H1
I just crossed the lewiston Bridge border today. my old visa was an expired F 1 stamp on Old Passport. new passport just had COPR from Canada
my H 1 approval 797 was good enough to let me in without hassles
I am from Pakistan
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congratulations usfazli..
its good to hear especially in your case..
thanks
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AWESOME news USfazli...!!!
Congrats... Do you mind sharing your experience in detail.. like the questions asked by US/Canadian sides. Also, did u drove ur own car or rental?? I will be going in a couple weeks as well.
Thanks
Faisalsk70
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softqtech,
thanks for the information... i have seen your posts and have found that you have filed your USGC under eb3 and also you got your landing formalities completed...
while re-entering US, did the IO at any point ask you about your GC?..also looks like you did mention to them that you went to canada for landing purposes..
is your visa on passport expired already?
did you have any plans on attending the consulate for renewing visa,,any comments or suggestions on this
Thanks
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i crossed the lewiston queenston bridge
I took my own car with some luggage thinking that I might have to stay there long in case i go to US embassy for visa stamping
anyways I went to the bridge around 1 pm at the US customs and Immigration side to register. SPecial Registration NSEERS. to my good fortune the visa officer was SUPER NICE and we started chatting. he asked me why im going to Canada and I told him that my immigration came thru and I am looking to land.He asked me what do I do and informed him im a dentist and he told me thats great so u must be looking to come back and continue working here. I said yes I want to but I dont know how ? he told me that I could use my 797 notice to reenter and stressed that no matter what happens do not lose that notice. He took my finger prints and picture and registered me. he told me since I intend to come back within 30 days he wont stamp my Car Title either for exportation. I was like great. I went to Canada and completed my landing.
they wanted me to import the car and I told them I dont want to do it right now since I am looking to go back to US and then return with all my stuff. They got pissed off on that reply and were quite rude. as if I give a damn. i provided them with the lists of goods that I am bringing and to follow and got my COPR papers stamped in my passport. then I drove away and stayed in toronto for two days.
I made sure I returned thru the same port of entry I exited and offcourse at the same time two days ago so I may encounter the same person on immigration. and GUESS WHAT ????
IT WAS THE SAME NICE IMMIGRATION OFFICER INFRONT OF ME WHO REGISTERED ME ON NSEERS AND HELPED ME EXIT THE US!!
he immediately recognized me and said oh Great you are back and I said yes its good to be back. he asked me if I had my passport and 797 notice. I told him I already submitted it. He went back and got my passport out with 797 notice and gave it to one of the immigration officers on the counter and said something in their ear. from the way he was saying it by pointing to the passport and his hand movement I guessed he must have told them that I am on H 1 and was just there two days ago and that he checked me out. after that he went to lunch and I didnt see that nice officer again.
anyways final phase of this gets interesting. My Name is Called by the immigration officer to the counter. I approach the counter and right next to me there is an A**HOLE Immigration officer ripping everyone to shreds with his questions. I literally saw people cry after he questioned them. My officer was very pleasent.
asked my name and details wehre I live and all that. my immigration History. the date I landed. saw my H 1 notice of approval and asked me questions about my company.
NOW HERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT
Under no Circumstances should you Lie about anything. the questions they ask they already know the answers as all your immigration history in on their computer screen. He even asked me the names of my company personell. He asked me who is this person named ................?? I answered my Human Resources Manager. He said "Good" that was my trick question. she had filed my H 1 petition so her details and the company details were all infront of him. He asked me when was the last time I exited the US . I replied jokingly NEVER EVER, since 2001 it was only day before yesterday that I left the US. he asked me why I dont have any other visas in my passport. I just have US visa in my passport. I replied when you get US visa you dont need any other. he smiled. he asked me why I havent gone to pakistan since I came to US. I replied cuz Pakistan is a dangerous place these days and its hard to imagine travelling there right now. I jokingly asked him if he had ever been to Pakistan and he said no way I would not go there and I said well then how can u expect me to go there too with the unlawful situation? he laughed too and I told him that we have a lot of suicide bombings in Pakistan and everytime there is a bomb blast my concern is for my family and I am calling them to find out if everything is ok ? he asked me my family details and said u must be looking to sponsor them to come to US. I said if not US atleast canada since I became permanent resident there it would be easier. he took my picture again and finger prints and said USMAN YOU ARE GOOD TO GO MY FRIEND and BEst of luck in the future
I left happily and Back on I 90 East to Boston MA
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No they did not asked about green card?
My h1b visa is expired on passport but I was having valid h1b approval valid until Dec-2009.
IO did asked me question why you had not renewed the visa yet?
I gaved answer
"My h1b is extended untill dec-2009, I will in the country untill then, I did not got a chance to renew the visa on passport."
Thats pretty much it.
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Thank you USMAN...!!
I must say you were super lucky couple of times...!! I am having my fingers crossed as I will be travelling as well in two weeks time... Thanks again
Faisal
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softqtech,
Can you update about the documents required to take with you when going for landing?
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hi softqtech,
Where can we chk online... can u plz send me the link.
mine address was written as
Streer Name, Unit #
City Name, State
Postal code
but my friend in canada said that in canada they write unit #s r written before street name.
can u plz send me the link where to chk.
Thanks.
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For Canada Landing
1) Passport
2) Cashiers check worth of $11,000.00
3) COPR Document
4) A valid Canda Address where they will send PR card
For AVR Returning Back TO Us
1)Passport with expired h1 visa (required)
2)H1b approval with valid I94 dates. (required)
3) Employee letter (proof of job) (Optional, they may ask)
4) Last six months paystubs (Optional, they may ask)
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hi softqtech,
when i logged in it was showing my US old home address and asked to enter new address.
i have entered it.. i dont know when it will be updated.
can u tell me how to confirm it.
thanks
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I also don't know, I have not entered any thing.
I think some one from Canada Immigration will update our cases in their systems. Right now they have COPR documents from us when we landed. They must update their system, once their system is updated it should show us the address which they wrote when we landed.
This is what I am just assuming, I don't know much more about their system.
Did you checked your case status?
Mine is saying "Decision Made", when I click on this it said We received the medical from you and you will get a letter about your case.
This thing is old, so to me they have not update the case yet.
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ok hers the deal
this is what happened.
I wrote the wrong zip code on the COPR by mistake
and realized it the next day when I saw the COPR in my passport
i was in canada and called the immigration thru their 1888 service number that functions only in canada
she went into the data base and corrected it after asking me all my ID questions like
mothers name
and date of birth and all that stuff.
she said she updated the address and I shuold get the card on the corrected address.
i just checked my profile too and its showing my lawyers address in canada
so I guess Dont Worry about it
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My application shows complete. It states :-------
"We started processing your application on August 10, 2007.
We transferred your application to the Detroit office on January 9, 2008. The Detroit office may contact you.
Medical results have been received.
Interview scheduled for May 19, 2008.
A decision has been made on your application. The office will contact you concerning this decision.
You entered Canada at the Windsor International Tunnel office on August 22, 2008 and became a Permanent Resident."
But address is still the old one so I have updated it thru Change of Address field.
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hey us fazli..congrats on landing...
where it showing ur lawyer address? on which website?
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old address v new address when you go on e client services and put in change of address
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If anybody received PR Card / SIN Card. Please post, how long it took?
Thanks
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My friend recieved my SIN Card last week, now waiting for PR Card.
I landed on Aug 22, 2008.
Anybody else received PR or SIN Card?
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somebody landed in canada recently and he has posted that the Canadian IO did NOT accept his friend's address.. The IO stated that they are not mailing PR cards to addresses other than yours...so the IO told him that he can use COPR papers for 2 years and in the mean time he can request for PR card once he has a permanent address in canada..
Is this true? has anybody heard anything similar to this..
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So why do you want to tell them its your friend's address? Just tell them thats where you are going to stay.
Ray
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delhiguy79,
where are you located currently? Did you stay back in canada after landed or returned..?
Please share your experiences.
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Guys..
I would like to return to USA using AVR..
People who have already landed in Canada, please help me decide which one is more favorable for AVR. My choices are
1. Landing by air through Toronto Airport
2. Landing by car through Niagara Falls
I don't know if it really makes a difference or not.
Thanks a LOT..
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Hi
I landed by Air, from Vancouver International Airport.
I think every thing is same, just be more confident.
Thanks
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softqtech,
Thanks for the info...
where is AVR processed..is it at the Canadian Airport OR by the Immigration officials at our local airport in USA..(most likely i guess)
My POE is a medium sized city with little International traffic through the airport..and I am not quite sure if the officials are well aware of AVR process..
Is there any way I could call and find out before I travel
Thanks again...
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Hi Gurus
Desperately need some help & advice here...!! Initially was planning to land in Canada & return using AVR. Since my H1-B & wife's H4 was pending - I kept delaying the landing. Now my H1 ext came through however upon research I found out that my company's attorney did not applied for my wife's H4 stating that she does not need one as she can travel on AP & has EAD. Here's my dilemma
1. either land and return with family using AP - How much risky - not sure (i certainly cant ask an IO to process me on AVR but my wife on AP)
2. either just land myself (and not family) & return on H1. This way my other family member's visa would expire - not sure what would be required for them incase we move permanently in future to Canada.
3. Go to Canda for landing - then fly to home country (as I already planning to do that later) and then return to US using AP. Not sure whether travel agent would be even able to get me a ticket or not..
4. Or forget Canada landing all together :((
Any help or advice would be tremendously appreciated..
Faisalsk70
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AVR process done at the Canadian airport. At Canadian aiports, passenger going to USA has to pass though US Immigration. Once you pass through, there will be no more immigration check at US.
Thanks
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(i certainly cant ask an IO to process me on AVR but my wife on AP)
faisal bhai
I am in a similar situation as yours..You brought up a new question in my mind..
my spouse has returned from home country recently and she has already used AP to enter into US..
to the question above.. can we appear at different immigration booths..
even I am somewhat doubtful of asking IO to process AVR for me and AP for my wife...
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Hello usfazli,
I have a few questions that I think you might be able to help me with. My wife is an American citizen and has a car paid off under her name. Making a long story short, I am not an US citizen and I have overstayed my visa in the US. Even though I am married with an American I will not be able to apply for an adjustment of status from the US at this time. We applied for skilled work to go Canada and we are planning to land on July 2009.
We are looking to drive to Canada and export her car when we move there.
Here is my question?
Can she go to US customs on her own to export the car while I wait someplace else? The reason I ask is because I heard that if I go with her the immigration and customs will give me a hard time because of my status in the US.
Do we first go to the Canadian border or the US? I guess I just do not understand how that works.
Any information will be much appreciated.
Thank you.
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Users currently subscribed this discussion: eternity, LandOLakes, MiyaBhai, delhiguy79, usfazli, toothdoc, macky, rmg1970, curramba, vickym, GGKK, sabr, gaveuponusgc, softqtech, Stara, faisalsk70, USBR
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