We just got the passport request email yesterday. Our medicals will expire on May 29, 2019, so we are expecting that to be the deadline to land in Canada. Both me and my husband are in US now. My husband is on H1B valid till Dec 2020. I am on H4 with a pending H1B petition. My husband's H1 visa stamp expired in 2015. My visa stamp is F1 which expired in 2014. I did COS from F1 to H4 within US and has not traveled outside US since then. Now, I am in the midst of another COS from H4 to H1B. I will wait till H1B approval to cross border. My questions are:
1. Are there any risks to AVR? From my understanding, we need a valid i-797 and i-94 that comes with it, a passport with expired visa stamp. But, our case is slightly complicated because:
a. For me, my visa stamp is for F1, and I will be on H1B when I try to use AVR. Will this have any added risk? I will be carrying pay stubs, W-2, employer letter, etc.
b. My husband's expired visa stamp was when he was working for his old employer. He changed job, got his i-140 approved, and got an extension. Will the change in employment have any impact on AVR? Also, since he is on his 7th year on H1B, will that matter (based on approved i-140)?
2. Which is the best way to travel to Canada? By air or road? If by road, which is the preferred port? I saw the reviews to be generally positive for Peace Bridge, but mostly negative for Rainbow Bridge. Is this true based on member experiences?
3. We are planning to do the crossing one person at a time rather than doing it together, so that atleast one of us can remain in US to manage things here in case of any complication. This presents a difficulty for me because I don't drive. So I don't know how I can make the crossing via road. Peace bridge is closed for pedestrians. Is Rainbow bridge crossing walkable? Also, is there a higher risk of denial of entry at Rainbow bridge compared to other ports of entry?
4. If I choose to travel by air, will there be any issues due to AVR and lack of valid stamp? To avoid this, is there a preferred airlines or airport that I should look for based on positive experiences to other members?
5. Finally, is AVR completely up to the discretion of the immigration officer? Can they simply deny entry even after presenting valid i-797 and i-94? Has anyone heard of such experiences?
Thanks a lot. At this point, we are completely confused as to how to handle this situation. Help from other members is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
1. Are there any risks to AVR? From my understanding, we need a valid i-797 and i-94 that comes with it, a passport with expired visa stamp. But, our case is slightly complicated because:
a. For me, my visa stamp is for F1, and I will be on H1B when I try to use AVR. Will this have any added risk? I will be carrying pay stubs, W-2, employer letter, etc.
b. My husband's expired visa stamp was when he was working for his old employer. He changed job, got his i-140 approved, and got an extension. Will the change in employment have any impact on AVR? Also, since he is on his 7th year on H1B, will that matter (based on approved i-140)?
2. Which is the best way to travel to Canada? By air or road? If by road, which is the preferred port? I saw the reviews to be generally positive for Peace Bridge, but mostly negative for Rainbow Bridge. Is this true based on member experiences?
3. We are planning to do the crossing one person at a time rather than doing it together, so that atleast one of us can remain in US to manage things here in case of any complication. This presents a difficulty for me because I don't drive. So I don't know how I can make the crossing via road. Peace bridge is closed for pedestrians. Is Rainbow bridge crossing walkable? Also, is there a higher risk of denial of entry at Rainbow bridge compared to other ports of entry?
4. If I choose to travel by air, will there be any issues due to AVR and lack of valid stamp? To avoid this, is there a preferred airlines or airport that I should look for based on positive experiences to other members?
5. Finally, is AVR completely up to the discretion of the immigration officer? Can they simply deny entry even after presenting valid i-797 and i-94? Has anyone heard of such experiences?
Thanks a lot. At this point, we are completely confused as to how to handle this situation. Help from other members is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
