Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) to enter USA

[harirajmohan]

Yes, online I-94 shows last entry as June 15th 2015 where as online travel history shows only departure and arrival that happened yesterday.

As your I94 did not change, you can only see rest(after your 2015 entry) in history.
I commute everyday with same i94 hence i see my entries only in history after the I94 was issued and the recent entry date doesnt get updated online.
We dont know why it doesnt get updated. So dont worry about it.

 

[Ammjyo]

Hello everyone,

My spouse and I were able to successfully enter USA from Canada without any issues today, after completing our soft-landing in Canada. I used the AVR option to enter.

We landed in Canada by flight at Toronto Pearson Airport on June 16th and went into self-isolation for 14 days. During that time, the EO was signed on June 24th and I was a bit tensed if I’ll be allowed to return back to USA since I had an expired H1B stamp on my passport and was planning to use AVR. Also I was outside of USA when the EO was signed so wasn’t sure if it would affect me or not.

We flew back today (July 6th), from Pearson Airport. We were flying American Airlines. While we were checking in at the counter the lady behind the desk had no clue about AVR and was searching for a valid visa stamp on my passport. When I handed her the I-797A, she still did not understand what to do with it. After consulting with someone, she entered something on her computer from my I-797A, which allowed the system to print a boarding pass.

After that we crossed security and headed towards US Immigration. The officer was very polite and asked for our passports. I had an expired H1B Visa, with a valid I-797A and I-94, and my spouse had a valid F1 visa stamp with recent I-20.

Officer:- Why did you visit Canada? Answer: To immigrate and start the PR process.

Officer:- How long were you in Canada? Answer: 20 days

Officer:- Why so long and why didn’t you return back sooner? Answer: Because we had to self-isolate for 14 days.

Officer:- Where do you live? Answer: US City

Officer:- House Address? Answer: XXXXX (Not sure why he asked that)

He stamped our passports and handed them back to us. The whole process was smooth, without any issues. I did not have to mention anything about AVR to the officer.

The whole experience of soft-landing went well amidst the coronavirus outburst. My sincere thanks to everyone on this forum who have contributed their experiences and have taken time to answer questions posted by other members. I was closely following all the threads on this forum and reading everyone’s experience with border crossing, which gave me a lot of confidence boost.

My best wishes to all those who are planning a soft-landing soon and hopefully everything goes smoothly for you all as well. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer them all.

Hi , Congratulations !

Quick question - was your expired visa that you used for AVR is from your current employer or past employer ? Does it really matter in case of AVR ?

Thanks

 

[Kiara02]

Hello @harirajmohan Assuming I stay until the 29th day in Canada, drive to the border and use AVR to enter USA. Can I return back to Canada on the same day? Will Day1 of DAY30 start afresh (if I plan to use AVR multiple times until I get my VISA stamped)?
Please advise if this is acceptable and that I'm not violating the rule. Will it have impacts when I go for my VISA interview in the future?

 

[harirajmohan]

Hello @harirajmohan Assuming I stay until the 29th day in Canada, drive to the border and use AVR to enter USA. Can I return back to Canada on the same day? Will Day1 of DAY30 start afresh (if I plan to use AVR multiple times until I get my VISA stamped)?
Please advise if this is acceptable and that I'm not violating the rule.

Will it have impacts when I go for my VISA interview in the future?

The entry to the US resets the 30 days(irrelevant of how many minutes you stayed on that day).

AVR doesnt affect visa interview. With visa or not, legally entering the country doesnt affect your visa/reentry.

 

[starlordavuthu]

Is there a limit on how many times you can use AVR or is it just one time option?

 

[harirajmohan]

Is there a limit on how many times you can use AVR or is it just one time option?

No limits.

 

[arpanoid]

Not fully knowing the AVR rules, I booked an appointment and canceled it within a day. Can a canceled visa appointment cause an issue with the AVR at the US border?

 

[harirajmohan]

Not fully knowing the AVR rules, I booked an appointment and canceled it within a day. Can a canceled visa appointment cause an issue with the AVR at the US border?

No.

 

[thirdpage]

No.

Hi guys,

Please I need some clarification.

I have an expired F1 visa on an expired passport. I also have a renewed passport. I am currently on F1-Post completion OPT with a valid EAD card (I-766) and also have a valid i20.

1. Do I qualify for AVR?
2. If yes what documents do I need to take along when I am leaving the US? My guess is the expired passport, new passport, EAD card, and i20
3. Would I be needing the i-94 as well? If so would a printed i-94 on the website suffice? Or do I need to apply for one?

TIA.

 

[harirajmohan]

Hi guys,

Please I need some clarification.

I have an expired F1 visa on an expired passport. I also have a renewed passport. I am currently on F1-Post completion OPT with a valid EAD card (I-766) and also have a valid i20.

1. Do I qualify for AVR?
2. If yes what documents do I need to take along when I am leaving the US? My guess is the expired passport, new passport, EAD card, and i20
3. Would I be needing the i-94 as well? If so would a printed i-94 on the website suffice? Or do I need to apply for one?

TIA.

1. F visa is qualified for avr.
2. Same as last time you entered US. Every time you hit the border is nothing but you are virtually/technically seeking new admission. So carry all the documents.
3. Not needed. They might let you in with the same I94 but they will tell if you need one. if they say they need one then they will send you for secondary inspection to an office where they will decide if you need one.

1.a: OPT travel should be little careful as per my understanding as some officers are not much comfortable admitting students after finishing courses. Consult your university/lawyer before you take a call. I am not an expert on F1 scenarios though hence do more research.
https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/employment/opt/travel
https://www.bates.edu/isss/current-students/travel-and-returning-in-f-1-status/
https://www.wm.edu/offices/revescenter/issp/visasandimmigration/f1student/internationaltravel/opttravel/index.php

 

[thirdpage]

1. F visa is qualified for avr.
2. Same as last time you entered US. Every time you hit the border is nothing but you are virtually/technically seeking new admission. So carry all the documents.
3. Not needed. They might let you in with the same I94 but they will tell if you need one. if they say they need one then they will send you for secondary inspection to an office where they will decide if you need one.

1.a: OPT travel should be little careful as per my understanding as some officers are not much comfortable admitting students after finishing courses. Consult your university/lawyer before you take a call. I am not an expert on F1 scenarios though hence do more research.
https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/employment/opt/travel
https://www.bates.edu/isss/current-students/travel-and-returning-in-f-1-status/
https://www.wm.edu/offices/revescenter/issp/visasandimmigration/f1student/internationaltravel/opttravel/index.php

Thanks for your detailed response!

 

[rollercoaster]

Guys here is my situation, need help -

1. I have valid F1 Visa till 15 June 2021.

2. I am on H1B Status in USA (change of status from F1 to H1 was approved in Sept 2020).

3. I have H1B stamping appointment in Vancouver in May 2021.

4. I want to use AVR to stay in Canada for 29 days and enter US on 30th day. I want to do this repeatedly until my stamping appointment.

Question

Can I use AVR facility if my F1 visa is not yet expired, but I have valid i797 approval notice? Thank you!

 

[Roshwarner]

Hello all, thanks for your help!
I’m currently on H1b status but I don’t have the H1b stamp on my passport. I have expired F1 visa and a valid I797 and I 94. I used AVR back in july to travel to Canada for my pr landing and was successfully able to come back to the US. I need to go to Canada again. I have two questions.

1. Is the AVR process still applicable during the travel restrictions? Like has anything changed after July 2020?
2. Can I use AVR again to travel to Canada? How many time can the AVR be used?

 

[swan0206]

Hello all, thanks for your help!
I’m currently on H1b status but I don’t have the H1b stamp on my passport. I have expired F1 visa and a valid I797 and I 94. I used AVR back in july to travel to Canada for my pr landing and was successfully able to come back to the US. I need to go to Canada again. I have two questions.

1. Is the AVR process still applicable during the travel restrictions? Like has anything changed after July 2020?
2. Can I use AVR again to travel to Canada? How many time can the AVR be used?

Hi ,

1. Yes, AVR is still applicable now. Nothing has changed.
2. You can use AVR multiple times, there is no restriction.

 

[Roshwarner]

Hi ,

1. Yes, AVR is still applicable now. Nothing has changed.
2. You can use AVR multiple times, there is no restriction.

Thanks so much! Appreciate it.!