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Canada-U.S. commute amid COVID-19

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ashwin1400

Full Member
Sep 25, 2018
20
21
Hey guys.. Has anyone travelled to the US for work on H1B since the rule took effect? What did they say at the border on both sides?
 
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suemon

Full Member
Apr 5, 2017
36
10
ashwin1400 said:
Hey guys.. Has anyone travelled to the US for work on H1B since the rule took effect? What did they say at the border on both sides?
Click to expand...
I did today and was able to come to the US because there is something I have to do in person related to work [I've been working remotely for the last couple of weeks]. But I was asked a lot of questions. Expect scrutiny in the current time, and don't go unless you have to. I think you can go back to Canada if you are already a P.R. Best of luck!
 
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prusa

Star Member
Jul 22, 2019
192
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suemon said:
I did today and was able to come to the US because there is something I have to do in person related to work [I've been working remotely for the last couple of weeks]. But I was asked a lot of questions. Expect scrutiny in the current time, and don't go unless you have to. I think you can go back to Canada if you are already a P.R. Best of luck!
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Are you an essential worker? Would you be able to give some sort of idea on what kind of questions were asked.
 
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harirajmohan

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A

ashwin1400

Full Member
Sep 25, 2018
20
21
canuck78 said:
Are you an essential worker? That makes a big difference in what kind of reception you will get at the border.
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I work as an automotive engineer near Detroit and live in Windsor. I'm doubt if that is considered 'essential' per se, but most of the information I've read up talks about shopping/tourism/visiting family and friends as non-essential. A few news articles speculated that work visa holders will be allowed into the US, but I haven't found anything official which is what leaves me a little in the dark..
 
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A

ashwin1400

Full Member
Sep 25, 2018
20
21
suemon said:
I did today and was able to come to the US because there is something I have to do in person related to work [I've been working remotely for the last couple of weeks]. But I was asked a lot of questions. Expect scrutiny in the current time, and don't go unless you have to. I think you can go back to Canada if you are already a P.R. Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.. If you don't mind me asking, what is your line of work and in which city? Also, did you have to mandatorily quarantine yourself after entering the US and/or when you returned to Canada?

Thanks again!
 
S

suemon

Full Member
Apr 5, 2017
36
10
ashwin1400 said:
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.. If you don't mind me asking, what is your line of work and in which city? Also, did you have to mandatorily quarantine yourself after entering the US and/or when you returned to Canada?

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
I work in school, so they asked in detail why I need to go. I work and live in NY state during the school year. My location is quite far from NYC and the local outbreak is pretty mild. There is no required quarantine after entering the US, but there is a 2-week quarantine when you return to Canada. The Canadian border control will record your contact info when you return. The agent said that they could be checking on you. Do follow the quarantine strictly if you decide to go. Hope this helps.
 
P

prusa

Star Member
Jul 22, 2019
192
63
suemon said:
I work in school, so they asked in detail why I need to go. I work and live in NY state during the school year. My location is quite far from NYC and the local outbreak is pretty mild. There is no required quarantine after entering the US, but there is a 2-week quarantine when you return to Canada. The Canadian border control will record your contact info when you return. The agent said that they could be checking on you. Do follow the quarantine strictly if you decide to go. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Is a valid work visa enough to get through cbp or do you have to be an essential worker also ?

I am assuming most of the h1b are working remotely anyways
 
N

nvap23

Star Member
Apr 19, 2020
54
16
I was told by another friend of mine that his recent COPR issue had a date of Nov 2020 expiry because of this pandemic. If you cannot make it to Canada before COPR expires and have reached out to IRCC usign their Webform, I am confident that they will reach out to you as soon as things started improving
 
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