Topic: Canada Landing and H1B Stamping/AVR
I had changed my visa from F1 to H1, never left US after the change. I had expired F1 visa but H1 approval I-797 valid till 2010.
I did not take an appointment for the stamping. I did not want to take chance and get stuck for background clearance in Canada. So I used AVR.
The IO at US post asked me while he was tearing off the I-94 from 797 approval notice and stapling in my passport "why did u travel to Canada" I said landing and to meet a friend. Thats it no other question asked.
IO did not ask anything else or did not ask for any other document, though I was carrying pay-stubs, offer letter. |
Topic: Canada Landing and H1B Stamping/AVR
Dear All
I am thankful to everyone who had used AVR in the past which gave me confidence to travel.
Here is my landing experience.
I live and work in suburbs of Detroit, MI. A friend dropped me and my wife to the Detroit Windsor Tunnel bus stop. We boarded the bus at 8:00 am, we have to give the exact fare of CAD/US $3.75 or the machine does not return the change/balance back. The tunnel is less than 1 mile long and before I knew we were in Canada.
We walked into the Canadian office. A man standing there asked me what were we there for, answer he is looking for is "Landing"
He gave a yellow slip, wrote landing on it and told to go to one of the booths to an IO. IO was elderly white male, respectful but to the point. Took Passport, COPR and address we were going from in US and the new address in Canada. He took about 20 minutes. Came back, made us sign COPR and returned the original yellow slip and asked us to go to a customs agent. Customs agent was an elderly white female, She asked if we have lists prepared for goods we are carrying and the goods to follow list. Gave her the lists, she wanted more description of jewelery. She stapled the yellow slip with lists and kept it, but also gave us a stamped copy of the lists. She welcomed us to Canada, suggested us to go to Service Center Canada to apply for SIN number. She accompanied us to the gate, greeted us good bye and also showed us the Grey building where we walked to apply the SIN #. The office is on the first floor right next to a starbucks coffee booth in this grey building (I cant remember the name of this building) We showed the Passport, COPR and gave the address in Canada and the lady printed out a paper which had our SIN numbers. She said we will receive the cards in mail in 5 business days. This is much different than applying for a SSN here in the US. After this, walked to a bank (RBC) opened a savings account, got debit cards.
BY this time it was about 1 pm. we had lunch and walked backed to Tunnel bus stop. Paid exact change. Bus brought us into US. Walked upto the IO. I just took out my passport and in the passport I had put the I-797A approval notice next to the expired visa. IO took milliseconds in tearing off the I-94 from I-797, stapled it to my passport right next to the expired visa. Said "this is your new I-94" "You would need a visa stamped in passport if you travel to India or anywhere outside the continental US" "I would recommend you get a stamp when you go back to India" Thats it, the whole thing with the IO took less than 2 minutes for both me and my wife. A Moment of great relief.
Thanks to trackitt and everybody for their help. |
Topic: Expecting a baby and cant land before child birth
Dear All
Thanks a lot for your advice and help.
I landed via Detroit Windsor tunnel bus on 10-10-08 and returned same day after 4 hours using AVR - H1B approval without H1 stamped in the passport. The IO did not ask anything. He knew the AVR rule and told me I will need a stamp if I go back to India or travel anywhere outside the continental United States. |
Topic: Expecting a baby and cant land before child birth
Thanks for your replies and suggestions.
I understand that it is better to land before the arrival of the child.
Do you guys think I will have problem returning to US using AVR (just H1 approval notice no stamp in passport) after 2-3 days as I have a history of withdrawn I-130 and 485 for US immigration.
Thanks again |
Topic: Expecting a baby and cant land before child birth
I am presently in US on H1 visa approval I-797. Had applied for US EB-2 by concurrently filing 129 and 485. Employer revoked the petition as I could not work for him, so I changed my job. I am also currently enrolled in a certification course which will end on May 1, 2009. I have spent a lot of money for this course and it is crutial to my getting license in Canada once I land in Canada.
Canadian skilled worker application approved, can land till June 2009. I am expecting a child in April 09. The visa approval letter says, if there is a change in family composition prior to my landing, I will have to apply for a new application for everybody.
I am apprehensive using the AVR to land and return to US as I do not have a H1 stamp in my passport and there is a history of applying for US immigration, which might still be showing up in the system when I try to return to US
Any thoughts? Experts please help.
Thank you for your advice. |
Topic: Medical in Michigan
Did u get it done with Dr Lacey Walke. |
Topic: Medical in Michigan
hi
I am wondering if anybody else got their medical done in Michigan. How long does it take to receive any communication after the medical.
Thank you for your information and help |
Topic: New Announcements on Immigration
What I have noticed is, there is a great delay in issuance of AOR letters for individuals who have applied after Feb 27.
It seems as if there are no new AORs issued in last few days and it has come to a stand still. |
