Following is my experience at the Peace Arch crossing in Washington/B.C. area on July 9th 2021:
- OINP (Ontario) nominated application
- H1B visa stamping expired but have approved I797
Officer 1 at the Canada Border: Drove up to the booth and the officer asked for passports/covid tests. Asked purpose of trip. Was not friendly but also not rude. Asked why not moving immediately. Also asked if we have the ArriveCAN app filled out and if I have made any hotel arrangements. Told hiim I have the app filled out but do not have any hotel arrangements but can make one if needed. He then checked our info for few minutes in the computer and then asked us to go and park the vehicle and go into the building.
Officer 2 inside the building: Took the documents and then said there may have been some change of rules and i will not be allowed to soft land. Asked to be seated while he checks his emails for any notification. Then after about 10-15 minutes called back and said he can allow us to soft land that day and there are no new rules regarding the same. Got the 'goods to follow document, asked for total worth of all things to be brought to Canada and then asked us to wait again.
After about 20 minutes called us back and made us sign the COPR documents. Also asked for an address in Canada to mail the PR card. Provided us a copy of the COPR and also the goods to follow document. Said we can only bring what is listed in the document to avoid duty at the border. Then said we are officially canadian permanent residents and said we are free to return back to USA.
At the US Border: Drove to the booth and the officer provided us with a yellow slip and sent for secondary inspection. A second officer came up to the car took the slip, took passports/I797 documents and went inside the building. Was waiting for about 25 minutes in the car. He came back with i94 pinned to the passport and said we are free to go. No other questions asked.
- OINP (Ontario) nominated application
- H1B visa stamping expired but have approved I797
Officer 1 at the Canada Border: Drove up to the booth and the officer asked for passports/covid tests. Asked purpose of trip. Was not friendly but also not rude. Asked why not moving immediately. Also asked if we have the ArriveCAN app filled out and if I have made any hotel arrangements. Told hiim I have the app filled out but do not have any hotel arrangements but can make one if needed. He then checked our info for few minutes in the computer and then asked us to go and park the vehicle and go into the building.
Officer 2 inside the building: Took the documents and then said there may have been some change of rules and i will not be allowed to soft land. Asked to be seated while he checks his emails for any notification. Then after about 10-15 minutes called back and said he can allow us to soft land that day and there are no new rules regarding the same. Got the 'goods to follow document, asked for total worth of all things to be brought to Canada and then asked us to wait again.
After about 20 minutes called us back and made us sign the COPR documents. Also asked for an address in Canada to mail the PR card. Provided us a copy of the COPR and also the goods to follow document. Said we can only bring what is listed in the document to avoid duty at the border. Then said we are officially canadian permanent residents and said we are free to return back to USA.
At the US Border: Drove to the booth and the officer provided us with a yellow slip and sent for secondary inspection. A second officer came up to the car took the slip, took passports/I797 documents and went inside the building. Was waiting for about 25 minutes in the car. He came back with i94 pinned to the passport and said we are free to go. No other questions asked.
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