Daily commute (Detroit-Windsor) (H1b and Canada PR)

[Vaibhav.goel85]

When you commute daily, they never stamp. Even your online I-94 will show some old date of entry. I've heard this is because of Automatic Revalidation, but not sure.
Housing totally depends on where you want to live and what amenities you are looking for. I lived in downtown Detroit, and now I live in downtown Windsor. Both were condos, and I am paying $25 less. This will change with fluctuating dollar.
If you live in one of the burbs, it will definitely be cheaper, with better amenities, but your commute time goes up.

In general, after living in the US, I feel that Canada is very expensive, especially if you are earning in CAD. If you are earning in USD, and conversion rate stays on the up, then it might be fine.

Insurance is also the same as Detroit. Make sure to get your driving records to get accurate rates.

Thanks for the insight and it is very helpful.

 

[chikoo1985]

Even though it's not related to my situation, this thread has some amazing details. I am amazed to see people finding solutions for everything!!

 

[justinline]

When you commute daily, they never stamp. Even your online I-94 will show some old date of entry. I've heard this is because of Automatic Revalidation, but not sure.
Housing totally depends on where you want to live and what amenities you are looking for. I lived in downtown Detroit, and now I live in downtown Windsor. Both were condos, and I am paying $25 less. This will change with fluctuating dollar.
If you live in one of the burbs, it will definitely be cheaper, with better amenities, but your commute time goes up.

In general, after living in the US, I feel that Canada is very expensive, especially if you are earning in CAD. If you are earning in USD, and conversion rate stays on the up, then it might be fine.

Insurance is also the same as Detroit. Make sure to get your driving records to get accurate rates.

When you enter daily ...they dont stamp every day, but do they scan your passport when you enter US? Otherwise how will you get your entry exit records when you later apply for Citizenship or PR renewal?

 

[_neil]

When you enter daily ...they dont stamp every day, but do they scan your passport when you enter US? Otherwise how will you get your entry exit records when you later apply for Citizenship or PR renewal?

Yes, they do scan your passport. I thought that was given...
I am not sure what you mean by "how will you get your entry exit records when you later apply for Citizenship or PR renewal"

 

[justinline]

Thats great, just confirming. In the absence of nexus card ....scanning the passport is last resort, so all the entries are definitely noted in their system. But you will find when you order the entry/exit records through FOIA or check the records online in the I94 website, there will be plenty of holes.

 

[Gogetter2017]

Can you pls confirm if staying in Windsor, Canada and travelling for work every day to US will allow to meet PR residency and citizenship residency? Is this something that anyone has asked CIC directly?

Also, did anyone do a lot of soft landings before finally moving and would those stays (lik in hotels) count

 

[prudhvi]

I am planning to move this Nov 1st, i am also alumni of UWindsor.

I am planning to use my US registered car for an year, as i will be using Tunnel bus for daily commute.

Any options and suggestions?

 

[harirajmohan]

1. Can you pls confirm if staying in Windsor, Canada and travelling for work every day to US will allow to meet PR residency and citizenship residency?
2. Is this something that anyone has asked CIC directly?
3. Also, did anyone do a lot of soft landings before finally moving and would those stays (lik in hotels) count

1. It meets residency
2. No govt agency will provide you in a printed document.
3. There is no rule and cannot be a rule which voids the stay that was in a hotel. As long as you were in legal status, it counts.

I am planning to move this Nov 1st, i am also alumni of UWindsor.
I am planning to use my US registered car for an year, as i will be using Tunnel bus for daily commute.
Any options and suggestions?

Both the border officials will be troubling you to register your car in the place you moved. So for example, if you are moving to Canadian side then they will ask why are you not registering the vehicle to the current residence. So you cant pass hardly 2-3 months unless you have some valid excuse (which i dont see any in your case).

 

[prudhvi]

1. It meets residency
2. No govt agency will provide you in a printed document.
3. There is no rule and cannot be a rule which voids the stay that was in a hotel. As long as you were in legal status, it counts.


Both the border officials will be troubling you to register your car in the place you moved. So for example, if you are moving to Canadian side then they will ask why are you not registering the vehicle to the current residence. So you cant pass hardly 2-3 months unless you have some valid excuse (which i don't see any in your case).

Yes, as I told I will be using tunnel bus instead of my car to cross the border.

I don't have a valid reason in my case unless I can say them that my car is under financing from past one year and I don't have the huge amount to clear that balance at a time, so I need some time to clear that balance.

 

[sbansal86]

Hello guys,

Thank you for all the information on this post.

I have couple questions:

1. I was applying for Nexus card through the new TTP website and there it allows to enter PR card number(only 8 characters) however my pr card number is 10 characters. How did you guys apply?
2. My company is ok to pay in CAD and show my residency in Canada if i move there, but because of work related travel i frequently need to visit different client sites in the US. So can i travel to client sites frequently for work on H1B or do i need to apply for B1?
3. If i need to apply for B1, then what happens to my H1B visa.?
4. On the other hand, if i move to Buffalo or Detroit, the problem is that the employer does not have office there, so how will thy file my H1B amendment? my employer is saying that there is lot of scrutiny on that now days. My office is only in California and Texas.
5. Similarly how will the taxes work.


Please suggest. I am quite worried at the moment and want to sort this out sooner.

Additionally is there a whatsap group for discussions related to this topic?

Thanks.
Sahil

 

[harirajmohan]

Hello guys,

Thank you for all the information on this post.

I have couple questions:

1. I was applying for Nexus card through the new TTP website and there it allows to enter PR card number(only 8 characters) however my pr card number is 10 characters. How did you guys apply?
2. My company is ok to pay in CAD and show my residency in Canada if i move there, but because of work related travel i frequently need to visit different client sites in the US. So can i travel to client sites frequently for work on H1B or do i need to apply for B1?
3. If i need to apply for B1, then what happens to my H1B visa.?
4. On the other hand, if i move to Buffalo or Detroit, the problem is that the employer does not have office there, so how will thy file my H1B amendment? my employer is saying that there is lot of scrutiny on that now days. My office is only in California and Texas.
5. Similarly how will the taxes work.


Please suggest. I am quite worried at the moment and want to sort this out sooner.

Additionally is there a whatsap group for discussions related to this topic?

Thanks.
Sahil

1. Its your uci number.
2. Not sure why you need to get paid in CAD when you have a PR. You dont need this step to meet residency. Yes its a problem for being on H1 in US as you need to be paid(i assume it should be in USD but experts can comment). I dont think you can convince border guys that you are not getting salary in USD.
3. Not sure how you can establish H1 status if you are paid in Canada. I would say you continue your US salary in this case i dont see a problem in entering for few days too for work but beware that work location would be a problem unless you have documents and other proof for proving that you go to client location just for meetings and not for working over there.
4. if your client is near by detroit then it wont be problem to show border guys that you are going there by drive or else you might need to show flight ticket to show the end destination as the location is far away.
5. File your US returns first and then CA returns if you will get salary in USD.

 

[VOBuckeye]

Hello,

I have a question for Canadian PRs who live in Canada and commute to Detroit to work on H1B visa.

1. Did you have to amend your H1B with your new home address in Canada? or does it even matter if the work location still stays the same?
2. Did you change your address on USCIS website to reflect your Canadian address? I understand that unless you are a US citizen you have to update your address every time you move.

Thanks!

 

[harirajmohan]

Hello,

I have a question for Canadian PRs who live in Canada and commute to Detroit to work on H1B visa.

1. Did you have to amend your H1B with your new home address in Canada? or does it even matter if the work location still stays the same?
2. Did you change your address on USCIS website to reflect your Canadian address? I understand that unless you are a US citizen you have to update your address every time you move.

Thanks!

1. No, not just for updating address. No change in your documents as long as the work location/job is same.
2. No change of address request with any govt entity.

Most probably you will be asked to get new I94 (physical card multiple entry) once you start travelling daily for which you will anyway give the home address as Canadian address which will be anyway updated with uscis.

 

[VOBuckeye]

1. No, not just for updating address. No change in your documents as long as the work location/job is same.
2. No change of address request with any govt entity.

Most probably you will be asked to get new I94 (physical card multiple entry) once you start travelling daily for which you will anyway give the home address as Canadian address which will be anyway updated with uscis.

Thank you so much!

 

[canacani]

Hey guys, I am also in the same boat. I am moving to Windsor in Aug. I am sharing below some information that I have gathered. I would love to hear thoughts and suggestions…I will update the list as I find more.

1. Use the Tunnel instead of the Bridge
   1. Tunnel is faster, bridge is more unpredictable. I have been monitoring the traffic between 8-8:45 am for the past 6 months, and found the tunnel to be more consistent.
2. Get the Nexpress card. This is different from Nexus card.
   1. https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com/
   2. It is like the EZPass for the tunnel. It will allow you to pay toll at the entrance automatically.
   3. Lower toll rates than what you pay in cash.
   4. Pay in CAD instead of USD. Both are $100 for the reload, and the toll is the same. So you save some money because of the exchange rate.
   5. Save the statement monthly. This will help with evidence that you crossed over to Detroit, and back, the same day.
   6. https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/redir.do?redir=faq#Q3
3. Take about 10 mins daily to keep track of your daily travel: https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/resCalcStartNew.do
   1. Create a new account and in the Absences from Canada section, start tracking your travel to the States.
4. Working remote
   1. This is not allowed. Once in a while you may work from home, but you should be in the office because your H1b petition is tied to the work address. If you are in the States, your company can give alternate work locations on your petition.
5. Banking
   1. Open a USD account with a bank like TD. I have not done this yet, but this is based on advice from friends living in Windsor.
   2. It allows you to convert your USD salary to CAD while avoiding high fees.
6. Credit Card
   1. If you get paid in USD, it is easier to have a US Credit card with no foreign transaction fee.
   2. I have Chase Sapphire, and I love it. The exchange rate that I get on transactions is waaaay better than any bank, casino or the train station. USD 100 = $77.45 when the rate was 77.31. Which means within 0.15%
7. Moving - as advised by the tunnel authorities, you can drive a UHaul to Canada. They will direct you to Immigration services.
   1. Have an itemized list of possessions with you
   2. They appreciate pictures.
   3. Most often, they don’t even care to open your truck.
   4. I have heard mixed incidents about taking mattresses. Some people have been allowed, while others have been denied.
8. Postal mail
   1. I have lived in the US for more than 10 years. USPS will not forward your mail to Canada.
   2. Get a PO Box at USPS or UPS .
   3. This will also give you a US address for all the US accounts, like banks, phone etc…
9. Buy a house, if you can afford. If you are renting, make sure to have a legit rental agreement.
   1. This is helpful proof that you plan to live in Canada, and are contributing to the economy.
   2. Can be helpful at the time of applying for Citizenship.

Things I am not sure about:

1. State taxes - I have to find an accountant to help with the taxes. If anyone has suggestions, please do share.
   1. Like several people have mentioned on the thread, US and Canada have a double taxation treaty - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p597.pdf. We don’t have to pay taxes twice. Taxes paid in the States are credited in Canada.
   2. Part that I am unsure about; will have to check with accountant - If I am not living in Detroit, would I be able to file non-resident tax form and get credit for MI state tax? The company pays MI tax because it is located in MI, but we pay the resident tax only if we live in that state.
2. Nexus card - I called the US CBP, and they informed that resident aliens are not eligible for the Nexus card. You have to live in the country of your permanent residence(i.e. Canada in my case) for at least 3 years to be eligible.
   1. If anyone has been able to successfully get the Nexus card, please do share your experience.
3. Drivers License
   1. I have not dug into this yet. I assume that you can get a Canadian license easily if you have a US license.

All that this guy has mentioned is exactly what I have been doing for the last 4 years between windsor to dearborn. I experimented and learnt it the hard way. Right from tunnel to po box and I too have the chase sapphire. They charged me 100 bucks everytime but great exchange rates. However I did also find that capital one also gives almost the same exchange rate without the fees and no points. Thanks for sharing in detail. In these forums where there are thousands of posts daily it is very early to miss such a great post and very systematic. Kudos to whoever this is.