Daily commute (Detroit-Windsor) (H1b and Canada PR)

[H1B_140approved_CanadaPR]

Is this even allowed? What is the address you will show on your payslips for tax returns? Since you don't have a residence in US? If that's the case can one work remotely as well?

I'm not sure about other but I'm staying overnight & I have a shared rental place to live/address in USA.

 

[H1B_140approved_CanadaPR]

Hey guys, its good to find there are people who are already doing this. I intend to do this too pretty soon around the east coast in newyork. Do i need the Nexus card to be able to pass the border daily? Whats the advantage?

Fees of nexus... 50$ for 5 years. forget about every week... Its worth it even if you cross the border twice a year
The main advantage it time saving.. they can still ask you al the questions.. But based on my personally experience, it usually easy & quick speacially if all you got in your car is your laptop and other stuff which is allowed ( clothes etc.)

 

[Saad1985]

Guys, thanks for starting this thread and all the wonderful insights. I am a consultant working in the US and my wife is moving to Toronto to start her Masters. I am planning to fly in or drive-in on Thursdays and fly-out/drive back on Sunday nights/Monday mornings. I have been told that Canadian Border Service has been giving a hard time to people who use the PR as a visitor visa and keep going in and out. I am planning to spend at least another 1.5 years in the US. Do you think I might face trouble at entry points whether land or air?

 

[justinline]

Guys, thanks for starting this thread and all the wonderful insights. I am a consultant working in the US and my wife is moving to Toronto to start her Masters. I am planning to fly in or drive-in on Thursdays and fly-out/drive back on Sunday nights/Monday mornings. I have been told that Canadian Border Service has been giving a hard time to people who use the PR as a visitor visa and keep going in and out. I am planning to spend at least another 1.5 years in the US. Do you think I might face trouble at entry points whether land or air?

Flying you might get away with, if you are planning to frequently drive, it better be Canadian plate, insurance and license.

 

[palak.pandya]

Hi, i have a Canadian PR and have been on H1b in the US since last 8 years. I am planning to commute daily to Buffalo/Niagara from Fort Erie. My company is based out of Boston but has allowed me to work remotely. Needed your help with the following questions.

1) I believe that to maintain my H1B, i have to commute daily to US and not just remotely work from Canada. Is that correct?
2) As my company does not have an office in Buffalo, can i get a temporary residence in Buffalo/Niagara and show that as my US address?
3) Is there anyone who has an apartment that I can share with and show as my address in Buffalo/Niagara area?

Thanks for your help.

 

[H1B_140approved_CanadaPR]

Hi, i have a Canadian PR and have been on H1b in the US since last 8 years. I am planning to commute daily to Buffalo/Niagara from Fort Erie. My company is based out of Boston but has allowed me to work remotely. Needed your help with the following questions.

1) I believe that to maintain my H1B, i have to commute daily to US and not just remotely work from Canada. Is that correct?
2) As my company does not have an office in Buffalo, can i get a temporary residence in Buffalo/Niagara and show that as my US address?
3) Is there anyone who has an apartment that I can share with and show as my address in Buffalo/Niagara area?

Thanks for your help.

1) Yes.
2) Yes, Makes sense.
3) Sorry, I don't know any.. Try Craigslist etc.

 

[_neil]

Hi, i have a Canadian PR and have been on H1b in the US since last 8 years. I am planning to commute daily to Buffalo/Niagara from Fort Erie. My company is based out of Boston but has allowed me to work remotely. Needed your help with the following questions.

1) I believe that to maintain my H1B, i have to commute daily to US and not just remotely work from Canada. Is that correct?
2) As my company does not have an office in Buffalo, can i get a temporary residence in Buffalo/Niagara and show that as my US address?
3) Is there anyone who has an apartment that I can share with and show as my address in Buffalo/Niagara area?

Thanks for your help.

2. and 3. Make sure that your company's legal counsel is aware of this arrangement. They will need to have this address on your H1B petition/amendment as your remote address. This is to express that you do not work from the office, in case of FDNS site visit.

This happened to one of my reports who works in our SF office, but does not go to the office, 4 out of 5 days. We had him filed as a remote employee, so FDNS officials actually went to his home to check on him.

Better safe than sorry...

 

[_neil]

For anyone who is importing a car from Detroit, here's how to get to the CBP office. It was a pain in the ass to find it because google maps directions are misleading
http://imgur.com/a/bIViD

 

[VOBuckeye]

Hey guys, I am also in the same boat. I am moving to Windsor in Aug. I am sharing below some information that I have gathered. I would love to hear thoughts and suggestions…I will update the list as I find more.

1. Use the Tunnel instead of the Bridge
   1. Tunnel is faster, bridge is more unpredictable. I have been monitoring the traffic between 8-8:45 am for the past 6 months, and found the tunnel to be more consistent.
2. Get the Nexpress card. This is different from Nexus card.
   1. https://nexpress.dwtunnel.com/
   2. It is like the EZPass for the tunnel. It will allow you to pay toll at the entrance automatically.
   3. Lower toll rates than what you pay in cash.
   4. Pay in CAD instead of USD. Both are $100 for the reload, and the toll is the same. So you save some money because of the exchange rate.
   5. Save the statement monthly. This will help with evidence that you crossed over to Detroit, and back, the same day.
   6. https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/redir.do?redir=faq#Q3
3. Take about 10 mins daily to keep track of your daily travel: https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/resCalcStartNew.do
   1. Create a new account and in the Absences from Canada section, start tracking your travel to the States.
4. Working remote
   1. This is not allowed. Once in a while you may work from home, but you should be in the office because your H1b petition is tied to the work address. If you are in the States, your company can give alternate work locations on your petition.
5. Banking
   1. Open a USD account with a bank like TD. I have not done this yet, but this is based on advice from friends living in Windsor.
   2. It allows you to convert your USD salary to CAD while avoiding high fees.
6. Credit Card
   1. If you get paid in USD, it is easier to have a US Credit card with no foreign transaction fee.
   2. I have Chase Sapphire, and I love it. The exchange rate that I get on transactions is waaaay better than any bank, casino or the train station. USD 100 = $77.45 when the rate was 77.31. Which means within 0.15%
7. Moving - as advised by the tunnel authorities, you can drive a UHaul to Canada. They will direct you to Immigration services.
   1. Have an itemized list of possessions with you
   2. They appreciate pictures.
   3. Most often, they don’t even care to open your truck.
   4. I have heard mixed incidents about taking mattresses. Some people have been allowed, while others have been denied.
8. Postal mail
   1. I have lived in the US for more than 10 years. USPS will not forward your mail to Canada.
   2. Get a PO Box at USPS or UPS .
   3. This will also give you a US address for all the US accounts, like banks, phone etc…
9. Buy a house, if you can afford. If you are renting, make sure to have a legit rental agreement.
   1. This is helpful proof that you plan to live in Canada, and are contributing to the economy.
   2. Can be helpful at the time of applying for Citizenship.

Things I am not sure about:

1. State taxes - I have to find an accountant to help with the taxes. If anyone has suggestions, please do share.
   1. Like several people have mentioned on the thread, US and Canada have a double taxation treaty - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p597.pdf. We don’t have to pay taxes twice. Taxes paid in the States are credited in Canada.
   2. Part that I am unsure about; will have to check with accountant - If I am not living in Detroit, would I be able to file non-resident tax form and get credit for MI state tax? The company pays MI tax because it is located in MI, but we pay the resident tax only if we live in that state.
2. Nexus card - I called the US CBP, and they informed that resident aliens are not eligible for the Nexus card. You have to live in the country of your permanent residence(i.e. Canada in my case) for at least 3 years to be eligible.
   1. If anyone has been able to successfully get the Nexus card, please do share your experience.
3. Drivers License
   1. I have not dug into this yet. I assume that you can get a Canadian license easily if you have a US license.

Hi Neil,
Did you complete your move as yet? Would like to know how it went and how you're commuting if you don't mind sharing. Thanks!

 

[_neil]

Hi Neil,
Did you complete your move as yet? Would like to know how it went and how you're commuting if you don't mind sharing. Thanks!

Yep, I did. It was a breeze.
I am commuting everyday. Haven't had any issues so far.

 

[Vaibhav.goel85]

Yep, I did. It was a breeze.
I am commuting everyday. Haven't had any issues so far.

Neil congrats of moving.
When did you moved and you had to wait for nexus card to start daily commute?
If yes how long did it took to get it.

Thanks

 

[_neil]

Neil congrats of moving.
When did you moved and you had to wait for nexus card to start daily commute?
If yes how long did it took to get it.

Thanks

I moved about a month ago.
I have not applied for Nexus, yet. You just need your visa for your daily commute.
Nexus sounds like it will make life simpler, but I have been tracking the traffic in the morning, and Nexus lines usually move slower than regular traffic. So, I don't see any particular benefit. Not sure if I will apply or not.

 

[Vaibhav.goel85]

I moved about a month ago.
I have not applied for Nexus, yet. You just need your visa for your daily commute.
Nexus sounds like it will make life simpler, but I have been tracking the traffic in the morning, and Nexus lines usually move slower than regular traffic. So, I don't see any particular benefit. Not sure if I will apply or not.

Thanks for quick response. Do they stamp everyday? And also hows housing thr is it expensive compared to Detroit.

Did you also imported your car and i have heard car insurance is also expensive.
My car is fully paid off.

 

[VOBuckeye]

Yep, I did. It was a breeze.
I am commuting everyday. Haven't had any issues so far.

Awesome! I'm looking to start the daily commute early next year. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[_neil]

Thanks for quick response. Do they stamp everyday? And also hows housing thr is it expensive compared to Detroit.

Did you also imported your car and i have heard car insurance is also expensive.
My car is fully paid off.

When you commute daily, they never stamp. Even your online I-94 will show some old date of entry. I've heard this is because of Automatic Revalidation, but not sure.
Housing totally depends on where you want to live and what amenities you are looking for. I lived in downtown Detroit, and now I live in downtown Windsor. Both were condos, and I am paying $25 less. This will change with fluctuating dollar.
If you live in one of the burbs, it will definitely be cheaper, with better amenities, but your commute time goes up.

In general, after living in the US, I feel that Canada is very expensive, especially if you are earning in CAD. If you are earning in USD, and conversion rate stays on the up, then it might be fine.

Insurance is also the same as Detroit. Make sure to get your driving records to get accurate rates.