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

[sbansal86]

1. Its your uci number.
2. Not sure why you need to get paid in CAD when you have a PR. You dont need this step to meet residency. Yes its a problem for being on H1 in US as you need to be paid(i assume it should be in USD but experts can comment). I dont think you can convince border guys that you are not getting salary in USD.
3. Not sure how you can establish H1 status if you are paid in Canada. I would say you continue your US salary in this case i dont see a problem in entering for few days too for work but beware that work location would be a problem unless you have documents and other proof for proving that you go to client location just for meetings and not for working over there.
4. if your client is near by detroit then it wont be problem to show border guys that you are going there by drive or else you might need to show flight ticket to show the end destination as the location is far away.
5. File your US returns first and then CA returns if you will get salary in USD.

Thanks Harirajmohan. My UCI number is 10 digits, whereas TTP website to apply for Nexus has only digits. Did you apply from Canada or US?

 

[harirajmohan]

Thanks Harirajmohan.
1. My UCI number is 10 digits, whereas TTP website to apply for Nexus has only digits.
2. Did you apply from Canada or US?

1. Enter just the numbers in it.
2. Applied while i was staying in US last year but my application was returned with the note asking me to apply after 3 years of continuous residency in this continent. So i applied last week (staying in windsor now).

 

[sbansal86]

1. Enter just the numbers in it.
2. Applied while i was staying in US last year but my application was returned with the note asking me to apply after 3 years of continuous residency in this continent. So i applied last week (staying in windsor now).

Hello Harirajmohan,

It is all numbers, i am looking at the Id No. on the front of the card. is that correct?

Thanks

 

[sahiljain22]

Hi all, I'll post a few things that might help you all out:
1. Regarding car, spend the $ to get a Canadian car otherwise you will get hassled by the border agents while entering Canada back saying you are a Canadian resident. Yes everyone knows that US has cheaper cars. As a "resident" you are expected to transfer your drivers license and get a car into that country. From your US license, its very simple to get a Canadian license, just make sure you have your drivers history. Also the US license does NOT get automatically cancelled, you may keep it active but are expected to only have one active. For a while, I had both a US and Canadian car and auto insurances in each countries because the border agents gave me such a hard time. This may not be kosher with the authorities.
2. Nexus is easy, get it. Takes a while. Make sure when you go to your interview that you can make your case. Apply online.
3. Daily commuters will eventually get recognized by border agents. It will make life simple. I-94s and CBSA travel histories may not reflect it, but the border agent will know you crossed yesterday and day before and so on.
4. You will have to file US taxes primarily. Claim it on your Canadian. Also remember to claim medicare/ss and other deductions. You don't have to pay double taxes. In my case in the last 7-8 years I double filed, it came out to be around $500-$1000 that I had to pay in Canada. Also claiming it will give you RRSP room for contribution. For simplicity, either don't contribute to 401k, or don't plan to bring it back anytime soon.
5. Regarding state taxes, best to either keep it at the border state you cross into, or at the office address. You don't need to cross every day if you don't have an office. But you can easily get a shared office space or regus meeting room and use it.
6. There are many many mail forwarding options. Better to just use mailrooms and pickup when locally there.
7. You can decline US health insurance. Get Canadian provincial health insurance.
8. Be ok with the fact that all of this may impact your green card application, if you care too much about that, don't move to Canada.
9. If you are planning to get Canadian citizenship, you will be heavily heavily scrutinized for all of this. It's not like the PR situation, someone will look at your file and question you about what good you are doing for Canada. If you don't really live in Canada, don't work in Canada, pay decent taxes etc. your case will be a lot weaker. For PR renewals, as long as you meet residency requirements, no one cares about the other aspects.
10. Border agents will often scrutinize you if you are away for extended periods. Even though CIC says 2/5 years as requirement, they will ask you a million questions if you are out for 6 months or 1 year. For them, anything more than 3-6 months is questionable. If you are extremely worried, take the Amtrak, the agents don't always check your travel history on it.
11. Getting to establish a Canadian credit history will be way harder than you think since you may have reportable income, but no employers who report to your credit file. Now if you want to buy a house, you may want to do so in Canada. So it becomes a Catch 22.
12. TD Canada and TD USA are not the same. They don't talk to each other. The only cross border bank that I have seen is HSBC, but they are a crappy bank to begin with.

Ok now, if you guys find a good tax accountant, let me know.

 

[prudhvi]

I started doing daily commute from Windsor to Detroit .

I am taking Tunnel bus...

 

[backupoption123]

Thanks Harirajmohan. My UCI number is 10 digits, whereas TTP website to apply for Nexus has only digits. Did you apply from Canada or US?

Use last 8 digits

 

[backupoption123]

I think this is an appropriate audience for this Q

sponsoring Parents.

1. I became a PR this year in June.
2. Income source is still USA( but I live in Canada). Travel daily
3. 2018 will be the first year when I will be filing taxes in Canad ( for 2017).


Am I eligible to apply for PGP for parents in 2018?

 

[backupoption123]

I think this is an appropriate audience for this Q

sponsoring Parents.

1. I became a PR this year in June.
2. Income source is still USA( but I live in Canada). Travel daily
3. 2018 will be the first year when I will be filing taxes in Canad ( for 2017).


Am I eligible to apply for PGP for parents in 2018?

Thanks @Rob_TO for answer :


No you don't qualify. Income earned while living in the USA, does not count.
However income from the USA (or anywhere in the world), while you're living in Canada and claimed on your CRA tax return, does count.

I assume your partial income since just June in 2017 doesn't qualify for LICO.
So if you have qualifying income in 2018,2019 and 2020, you can most likely apply for your parents in January 2022.


US income counts. See here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/ip/ip02-eng.pdf
5.30. Financial requirements
5.31. Exceptions to Canadian income rule The exceptions to the Canadian income rule are as follows:
• sponsors who commute from Canada to work in the U.S.A. can use their U.S. employment income provided it is declared as income on their Canadian income tax return;
• sponsors living in Canada who declare income from foreign sources on their Canadian tax returns, can use this foreign income to meet the financial requirements for sponsorship.

Discretionary approval of financial requirements is not possible.

 

[VOBuckeye]

Hi all, I'll post a few things that might help you all out:
1. Regarding car, spend the $ to get a Canadian car otherwise you will get hassled by the border agents while entering Canada back saying you are a Canadian resident. Yes everyone knows that US has cheaper cars. As a "resident" you are expected to transfer your drivers license and get a car into that country. From your US license, its very simple to get a Canadian license, just make sure you have your drivers history. Also the US license does NOT get automatically cancelled, you may keep it active but are expected to only have one active. For a while, I had both a US and Canadian car and auto insurances in each countries because the border agents gave me such a hard time. This may not be kosher with the authorities.
2. Nexus is easy, get it. Takes a while. Make sure when you go to your interview that you can make your case. Apply online.
3. Daily commuters will eventually get recognized by border agents. It will make life simple. I-94s and CBSA travel histories may not reflect it, but the border agent will know you crossed yesterday and day before and so on.
4. You will have to file US taxes primarily. Claim it on your Canadian. Also remember to claim medicare/ss and other deductions. You don't have to pay double taxes. In my case in the last 7-8 years I double filed, it came out to be around $500-$1000 that I had to pay in Canada. Also claiming it will give you RRSP room for contribution. For simplicity, either don't contribute to 401k, or don't plan to bring it back anytime soon.
5. Regarding state taxes, best to either keep it at the border state you cross into, or at the office address. You don't need to cross every day if you don't have an office. But you can easily get a shared office space or regus meeting room and use it.
6. There are many many mail forwarding options. Better to just use mailrooms and pickup when locally there.
7. You can decline US health insurance. Get Canadian provincial health insurance.
8. Be ok with the fact that all of this may impact your green card application, if you care too much about that, don't move to Canada.
9. If you are planning to get Canadian citizenship, you will be heavily heavily scrutinized for all of this. It's not like the PR situation, someone will look at your file and question you about what good you are doing for Canada. If you don't really live in Canada, don't work in Canada, pay decent taxes etc. your case will be a lot weaker. For PR renewals, as long as you meet residency requirements, no one cares about the other aspects.
10. Border agents will often scrutinize you if you are away for extended periods. Even though CIC says 2/5 years as requirement, they will ask you a million questions if you are out for 6 months or 1 year. For them, anything more than 3-6 months is questionable. If you are extremely worried, take the Amtrak, the agents don't always check your travel history on it.
11. Getting to establish a Canadian credit history will be way harder than you think since you may have reportable income, but no employers who report to your credit file. Now if you want to buy a house, you may want to do so in Canada. So it becomes a Catch 22.
12. TD Canada and TD USA are not the same. They don't talk to each other. The only cross border bank that I have seen is HSBC, but they are a crappy bank to begin with.

Ok now, if you guys find a good tax accountant, let me know.

Hello,

Thanks for your informative post.
I intend to move to the Windsor area early next year, however, I will be commuting all the way to Warren, Michigan. It seems living closer to the tunnel would be ideal for my commute. Do you know anyone that does this? or do you have any pointers that would be helpful?
Thanks!

 

[VOBuckeye]

I started doing daily commute from Windsor to Detroit .

I am taking Tunnel bus...

Hi,

Are there any delays getting through customs on the bus? Do they check everyone's paperwork at the border?

 

[prudhvi]

Hi,

Are there any delays getting through customs on the bus? Do they check everyone's paperwork at the border?

yes, they will check everyone's paperwork, but it will be quick.

 

[prudhvi]

it seems daily commuter applicants will face a lot of scrutinies at the time applying for citizenship, I came across a person which takes him more than 6 years.

 

[rohitkadam]

Hello,

H1b in USA and PR in Canada. I have 2 questions:

1) H1b Extension:
In such case how does one extend his/her H1b when it nears expiry, because H1b extension is for H1b holders in USA whose visa nears expiration. In case of daily commuter from Canada we dont live in USA to extend H1b, so what are our options?

2) US Green Card filing to extend H1b beyond 6 years
Is there an option for Canada commuters to file US Green Card and extend the H1b beyond 6 years? or should the H1b stay in USA to start the PERM and I-140 process?

Thanks

 

[rohitkadam]

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.

Hello,
Thanks for the Nexpress suggestion. I have 2 questions:
1) If you are on H1b: how to extend H1b when it nears expiry, because H1b extension is for H1b holders in USA whose visa nears expiration. In case of daily commuter from Canada we dont live in USA to extend H1b, so what are our options? Will we have to go to US consulate to get new I-94?
2) US Green Card filing to extend H1b beyond 6 years
Is there an option for Canada commuters to file US Green Card and extend the H1b beyond 6 years? or should the H1b stay in USA to start the PERM and I-140 process?

Thanks

 

[DEEPCUR]

it seems daily commuter applicants will face a lot of scrutinies at the time applying for citizenship, I came across a person which takes him more than 6 years.

Six years for processing or totally six years since landing?