Change to Automatic Visa Re validation since Oct 2017 and Impact

[rix_08]

I used AVR today at Windsor - Detroit ambassador bridge. I was bit nervous, but the experience was extremely smooth. It was no different from paying a toll fee. I gave all our passports with expired visa and new passports without visa, i797 for myself and dependents with valid i94, yellow slip given by CBSA mentioning landing. The officer just asked my nationality and where I was from US before getting those documents. While giving my passport, I just mentioned to him that I need to use AVR.

He kept them inside the booth for a five - ten minutes, and returned back saying all set. That's it. We were done. Passports were not stamped, and we didn't get down from the car either.

And for those who did AVR.. one question. When I checked online i94, it still shows old date and last port of entry that I did using visa. But today's trip got updated in travel history alone. Is it the same for you guys too? Or should the i94 be updated too online? How could we know that we were admitted correctly?

Is the detroit windsor tunnel open for AVR 24/7 , or does it have specific time restrictions ?

 

[DEEPCUR]

Is the detroit windsor tunnel open for AVR 24/7 , or does it have specific time restrictions ?

Open 24/7 I think, but I am not sure for the fact. I remember seeing so in cbsa website. I did landing around 5:30 pm on a working day.

 

[harirajmohan]

Is the detroit windsor tunnel open for AVR 24/7 , or does it have specific time restrictions ?

Tunnel closes for some days during night alone for construction (but not sure if its over - http://www.dwtunnel.com) - day time its open all days. Check the site and go accordingly. But bridge is open all the time.
There is no specific border/lane for AVR. its just part of one immigration rule. So let us not worry about AVR and cross the border with necessary documents.

 

[canacani]

No issues yet. have been in secondary multiple times after AVR change. CBP also called in their central attorneys for consultation while in secondary. Hope this helps.

 

[cazrypr]

Hello,

Does anyone know if the Automatic Visa Revalidation be used on B2 visit visa category with and expired visa but valid i94. Thank you.

 

[cazrypr]

Hello,

Does anyone know if the Automatic Visa Revalidation be used on B2 visit visa category with and expired visa but valid i94. Thank you.

Anyone?

 

[ss0592]

Hi, I have a question. My H1B got approved this October for the first time. (F1 to H1B Change of Status).
In this event, can I go to Canada for 3-4 days to activate the PR and avoid stamping for now? I am confused because my passport does not have any H1 stamps like most other people here, since this is the first time. So I'm not sure if it applies.
I guess an option is to go for visa stamping once I get to Canada, but that will definitely take longer than 4 days. Any help? Know anyone who has done this?

 

[langoorbandar]

Hi, I have a question. My H1B got approved this October for the first time. (F1 to H1B Change of Status).
In this event, can I go to Canada for 3-4 days to activate the PR and avoid stamping for now? I am confused because my passport does not have any H1 stamps like most other people here, since this is the first time. So I'm not sure if it applies.
I guess an option is to go for visa stamping once I get to Canada, but that will definitely take longer than 4 days. Any help? Know anyone who has done this?

AVR can work in your favor even in case of change of status as long as you have an expired stamp and a valid I-797 with unexpired I-94 to come back. Be aware that lot of times airlines give difficulty to issue a boarding pass for AVR users as agents may not be well versed in AVR process. I would advise you to cross border by road. Personally I had found a helpful agent when I had to use AVR while coming back from YVR and was issued a boarding pass without a hitch but there are several users who have stated getting boarding pass with AVR was a hassle.

 

[coolusa]

AVR can work in your favor even in case of change of status as long as you have an expired stamp and a valid I-797 with unexpired I-94 to come back. Be aware that lot of times airlines give difficulty to issue a boarding pass for AVR users as agents may not be well versed in AVR process. I would advise you to cross border by road. Personally I had found a helpful agent when I had to use AVR while coming back from YVR and was issued a boarding pass without a hitch but there are several users who have stated getting boarding pass with AVR was a hassle.

I have a question regarding AVR. You have mentioned "AVR can work in your favor even in case of change of status as long as you have an expired stamp and a valid I-797 with unexpired I-94 to come back".....The expired visa stamp in expired passport will work for AVR ( having valid I797 with I94 till 2020 Dec) ??
The scenario is, I had the stamped visa till 2018 Jan, did the extension and got approved I797 (I94 validity till 2020), but passport is going to expire in 2019 Dec, because of that I am going to renew passport in 2018 December. So any issue you are anticipating if I travel with "expired visa stamp in old passport+ new passport + approved I797 (I94)??

 

[harirajmohan]

I have a question regarding AVR. You have mentioned "AVR can work in your favor even in case of change of status as long as you have an expired stamp and a valid I-797 with unexpired I-94 to come back".....The expired visa stamp in expired passport will work for AVR ( having valid I797 with I94 till 2020 Dec) ??
The scenario is, I had the stamped visa till 2018 Jan, did the extension and got approved I797 (I94 validity till 2020), but passport is going to expire in 2019 Dec, because of that I am going to renew passport in 2018 December. So any issue you are anticipating if I travel with "expired visa stamp in old passport+ new passport + approved I797 (I94)??

No issues. Many have the same scenario.
In 2016, my wife's passport had old stamping(expired) and she did the landing in Canada and returned to US with old passport(expired stamp) , new passport and valid I94 (H4 extended from uscis).

 

[langoorbandar]

I have a question regarding AVR. You have mentioned "AVR can work in your favor even in case of change of status as long as you have an expired stamp and a valid I-797 with unexpired I-94 to come back".....The expired visa stamp in expired passport will work for AVR ( having valid I797 with I94 till 2020 Dec) ??
The scenario is, I had the stamped visa till 2018 Jan, did the extension and got approved I797 (I94 validity till 2020), but passport is going to expire in 2019 Dec, because of that I am going to renew passport in 2018 December. So any issue you are anticipating if I travel with "expired visa stamp in old passport+ new passport + approved I797 (I94)??

Like earlier poster has mentioned, having expired visa stamp in expired passport with new unexpired passport and unexpired I-94 along with I797 works. I myself have used it twice so far once while returning back from soft landing and as recently as last month when I had traveled to Toronto. It is not an issue, however only difference between my case and your case is I have expired visa in same class as my most recent I797 & I94 while yours is changed.

 

[hazelb712]

Hello to all,
I have a question about AVR.
I am planning to go to Canada for first time landing on Thanksgiving, my current status in US is H1B since 2015. Prior to 2015, my visa was F1. I never left the States since then and the only visa on my passport is an expired F1 visa.
I have been studying the AVR rules, and read other posts. There are posts said it's OK and others said only applied to the same category of visa. So I am really confused now.
Could anyone kindly give me a suggestion about if my status applies to AVR?
Thanks in advance.

 

[hazelb712]

No issues. Many have the same scenario.
In 2016, my wife's passport had old stamping(expired) and she did the landing in Canada and returned to US with old passport(expired stamp) , new passport and valid I94 (H4 extended from uscis).

Hi Could you please help me taking a look at my situation?

 

[hazelb712]

Hello All,

I finished my landing at Thursday afternoon, my original plan was to stay in for one night but due to the weathers and worries that I may not be able to come back to US, I drove back immediately, so the whole time in Canada for first time landing was roughly 1 hour... however, at the US border, an officer made a phone call and now I am speculating that the phone call was to Canada CBSA to verify my entry. If the CBSA found out I was only in Canada for an hour or less, even though they collected my address for PR and signed my COPR. Will this be a problem for PR card issuance and later entry???

I know this question/post may sound really ridiculous and silly... just wanna some help...

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[karandeephooda]

Hi, I have a question. My H1B got approved this October for the first time. (F1 to H1B Change of Status).
In this event, can I go to Canada for 3-4 days to activate the PR and avoid stamping for now? I am confused because my passport does not have any H1 stamps like most other people here, since this is the first time. So I'm not sure if it applies.
I guess an option is to go for visa stamping once I get to Canada, but that will definitely take longer than 4 days. Any help? Know anyone who has done this?

Hello there, I am in the same situation. Changed status from F1 to H1B this October 2018. I have expired F1 visa stamp on my passport. I am planning to go to Canada in December for COPR landing and come back to USA in couple of days. If you could share your experience, I would appreciate it. Thank you .