Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) to enter USA

[krohit01]

Makes no difference

Sounds good. Thanks

 

[DreamCanadian]

Dear Experts,

I am planning to land Canada and will be using the AVR option, My question is I am having copy of I-129 (not the original approval notice), Is copy of approval notice will work or do we need the original copy.

My employer has only provided me the approval notice Copy

 

[Thinkin]

I am a consultant working for a client through my employer in the US. I know for visa stamping consultants are given hard time, wanted to get an idea if it matters when it comes to AVR entry. I have expired h1b visa (different employer name on it) and valid I-94 (with current employer name) valid till Feb 2020. I need to enter Canada by year end to obtain the Canadian PR. Also, anyone who has entered recently using AVR, if you can share your experience and let me know what all documents the immigration asked in addition to expired visa and valid I 94, would be of great help. Thank you.

 

[lampbreaker]

I am a consultant working for a client through my employer in the US. I know for visa stamping consultants are given hard time, wanted to get an idea if it matters when it comes to AVR entry. I have expired h1b visa (different employer name on it) and valid I-94 (with current employer name) valid till Feb 2020. I need to enter Canada by year end to obtain the Canadian PR. Also, anyone who has entered recently using AVR, if you can share your experience and let me know what all documents the immigration asked in addition to expired visa and valid I 94, would be of great help. Thank you.

You will be fine.

 

[lampbreaker]

Dear Experts,

I am planning to land Canada and will be using the AVR option, My question is I am having copy of I-129 (not the original approval notice), Is copy of approval notice will work or do we need the original copy.

My employer has only provided me the approval notice Copy

That will be fine.

 

[krohit01]

You will be fine.

I have a similar situation.typically for visa stamping you need to carry client letter, SOW, etc. Do we need those for AVR too?
I am planning to cross the land border. Have valid i797 and i94 with LCA.
Anyways at my position I work for multiple clients but am a full time employee with my US based company.
Am I ok without a client letter?

 

[lampbreaker]

I have a similar situation.typically for visa stamping you need to carry client letter, SOW, etc. Do we need those for AVR too?
I am planning to cross the land border. Have valid i797 and i94 with LCA.
Anyways at my position I work for multiple clients but am a full time employee with my US based company.
Am I ok without a client letter?

Generally, they will not ask for any documents other than the approval notice. However, each time you enter the US (irrespective of AVR), you may be asked to provide supplemental documents such as client letters. It is completely at the discretion of the CBP officer.

 

[Ribak Luifar]

my situation is that my OPT is valid until February 2020
Enrolling into the new school from January and sevis transfer date is January 1, 2020. Employment termination date Dec 31, 2019

So planning to visit Canada from Dec 21 and re-enter the USA on Dec 26. I am really tensed about it. Technically it should be okay though

 

[lampbreaker]

my situation is that my OPT is valid until February 2020
Enrolling into the new school from January and sevis transfer date is January 1, 2020. Employment termination date Dec 31, 2019

So planning to visit Canada from Dec 21 and re-enter the USA on Dec 26. I am really tensed about it. Technically it should be okay though

Yes, that should be ok. Do you have a valid F1 Visa? (you will be able to use AVR anyway)

 

[Ribak Luifar]

Yes, that should be ok. Do you have a valid F1 Visa? (you will be able to use AVR anyway)

no, my visa expired. That's is why I need the AVR. But I am just tensed that the CPB officers will see that my SEVIS transfer release date is Dec 31st.

 

[krohit01]

Hi All

I re entered using AVR today. The process was smooth officer asked what company you work for, you changed from F1 to H1B? That's it.

I just checked that the date of admission on my I94 had updated but my class of admission still says F1 instead of H1.

I was on F1 Visa and then did COS to H1.
Not sure if the class of admission should reflect H1.

 

[Thinkin]

Hello All, I landed in Canada during the holiday week and re-entered USA using AVR feature. I have expired H1B visa in an old passport, which also had old I-94. I do have a valid I-797 approval notice (which has I-94 with same number as the one on the expired passport). At port of entry the officer forced a new I-94 (with same expiry as my valid I-797 approval notice) and stapled to my new passport and threw the old one from old passport, saying that the VISA needs to be transferred to new passport so they have no option other than giving a new I-94 (which has a different number than what is there in in the I-94 in my valid approval notice). I was under the impression no new I-94 is given when entering USA using the AVR feature. Is getting a new I-94 normal for getting into USA from Canada using the AVR feature?

 

[harirajmohan]

1. I was under the impression no new I-94 is given when entering USA using the AVR feature.
2. Is getting a new I-94 normal for getting into USA from Canada using the AVR feature?

1. No, new I94 can be issued anytime by cbp(doesnt matter if its avr). Technically you are seeking new entry whenever you enter the country hence they can very well process you as a fresh candidate.
2. No difference(except not sure what would happen if there is any pending applications with uscis - not heard much of stories of that kind)

 

[Thinkin]

1. No, new I94 can be issued anytime by cbp(doesnt matter if its avr). Technically you are seeking new entry whenever you enter the country hence they can very well process you as a fresh candidate.
2. No difference(except not sure what would happen if there is any pending applications with uscis - not heard much of stories of that kind)

Thanks harirajmohan, you kind of guessed my concern. I just filed for my extension and got receipt notice from my employer when I was in Canada. I told about my extension to the VISA officer too, but he said I have no choice, and said my extension would be in trouble if he did not give me a new I94, plus said he would be fired too. My company lawyer is out on vacation, will try to convey ASAP.

 

[Thinkin]

With reference to my post above, if anyone has been in a situation of getting a new I-94 using AVR when h1b extension is pending with USCIS, please share. Thank you.