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

[DEEPCUR]

Wait. Did you check weather forecast. It's super cold until Sunday in Detroit.

Yeah, I saw that. I am hoping to get full cold protection. I believe the drive should be okay as long as there is no snow.

Also I kinda have no choice other than doing it before this weekend. My company is planning to move me to a new role soon (unexpected one, probably next week) , and I don't know if it will warrant new amendment. I also have one relocation coming up from Monday for which the amendment is already pending. If I start working in a new location, I can travel only after the corresponding amendment gets approved. If I leave this window, I don't know when will be able to travel. Praying that everything goes smooth.

 

[VOBuckeye]

thanks so much. I am planning to land this Friday. I will be flying from TX to DTW, and reaching Detroit airport at around 3 PM, and thinking of landing directly from airport. Weather seems to be fine till Saturday (no snow).

Will rent a car, use CBSA Canada address, and head for landing. Will use hotel airport on the way back. Planning to use AVR for reentry. Feeling bit nervous that everything should go well!

Would you suggest any other reliable address on the Canadian side that would make sure that I cross the right bridge? Anything else to keep in mind?

I believe Fridays are usually pretty busy on the bridge especially during evening rush hour. Hopefully by the time you get to the bridge traffic will be calm. There's only one bridge to Canada so you wouldn't miss it. A reliable address would be Service Canada where you'd apply for SIN number but they only open weekdays and close at 4pm. Address is 400 City Hall Square E, Windsor, ON N9A 7K6

For landing in Canada: I would make sure I have all required docs like passport, COPR, proof of funds, Inventory of goods list (accompanying and following), address to give to CBSA agent. My destination city on COPR was Windsor, so I was asked if I still intended on settling there. (I landed in Vancouver and there was no issue)
US side: I would print that AVR rule notice and have it handy just in case, I-797 notice, letter of employment, LCA, paystubs etc.

No need to worry; just be confident when answering their questions and you should be fine.
Good luck!

 

[DEEPCUR]

I believe Fridays are usually pretty busy on the bridge especially during evening rush hour. Hopefully by the time you get to the bridge traffic will be calm. There's only one bridge to Canada so you wouldn't miss it. A reliable address would be Service Canada where you'd apply for SIN number but they only open weekdays and close at 4pm. Address is 400 City Hall Square E, Windsor, ON N9A 7K6

For landing in Canada: I would make sure I have all required docs like passport, COPR, proof of funds, Inventory of goods list (accompanying and following), address to give to CBSA agent. My destination city on COPR was Windsor, so I was asked if I still intended on settling there. (I landed in Vancouver and there was no issue)
US side: I would print that AVR rule notice and have it handy just in case, I-797 notice, letter of employment, LCA, paystubs etc.

No need to worry; just be confident when answering their questions and you should be fine.
Good luck!

Thank you so much! Does ATT signal work in the border? Just in case if I need to contact someone in US, what would be my options to do so?

 

[VOBuckeye]

Thank you so much! Does ATT signal work in the border? Just in case if I need to contact someone in US, what would be my options to do so?

I think it should work on the Rogers network that AT&T phones would use when in Canada. I would check with AT&T about your plan. Most plans from major companies will cover US, Canada, Mexico for minutes and data. If your plan doesn't cover that, then you'll be charged roaming which can be expensive. I use my T-Mobile phone on the Canadian Telus network. Sometimes when I cross over I have to restart my phone so it can get on the right network otherwise all calls fail and I lose signal.

 

[DEEPCUR]

I think it should work on the Rogers network that AT&T phones would use when in Canada. I would check with AT&T about your plan. Most plans from major companies will cover US, Canada, Mexico for minutes and data. If your plan doesn't cover that, then you'll be charged roaming which can be expensive. I use my T-Mobile phone on the Canadian Telus network. Sometimes when I cross over I have to restart my phone so it can get on the right network otherwise all calls fail and I lose signal.

Thanks. Is it possible that I happen to go in wrong lane like nexus and enter in to Canada without CBSA formalities? I watched some videos in Youtube, and they seem to enter in to Canada as it is without crossing any port of entry.

Like this one ...

Also how easy it would be take a trip back to US? Do we need to drive all the way in to Canada and get some exits for the way back?

And I and my wife would have office laptops and small luggage in the car. Since we are just doing soft landing, we would not have any goods to accompany? Do we still need to tell about the laptops and luggage ?

And how does toll work in the crossing? Do we need to have Canadian dollars to pay for tolls or they accept USD too? Will there be any other fee that I would need to pay while crossing the bridge?

 

[VOBuckeye]

Thanks. Is it possible that I happen to go in wrong lane like nexus and enter in to Canada without CBSA formalities? I watched some videos in Youtube, and they seem to enter in to Canada as it is without crossing any port of entry.

Like this one ...

Also how easy it would be take a trip back to US? Do we need to drive all the way in to Canada and get some exits for the way back?

And I and my wife would have office laptops and small luggage in the car. Since we are just doing soft landing, we would not have any goods to accompany? Do we still need to tell about the laptops and luggage ?

And how does toll work in the crossing? Do we need to have Canadian dollars to pay for tolls or they accept USD too? Will there be any other fee that I would need to pay while crossing the bridge?

There will be signs indicating what lane is for what so just follow those. I don't see how one would be able to cross over into Canada without going through immigration.
You'll first pay toll before driving to the CBSA booths. You can either pay in USD or CAD, or use VISA/MC/AMEX credit cards. I believe it's 5USD or 6 CAD that you pay. That's the only fee you will pay.

When I completed my landing I had my laptop and phone, so I listed them in goods accompanying and also goods to follow. I landed at Vancouver airport and the officer didn't even ask me about goods to follow, I had to tell him that I had a list. so he made a copy and stamped both original and copy and gave me the copy. Just to be safe have them stamp your goods to follow list. If you think you'll buy anything else at a later date that you'll need, I'd put it on the list just so its easier to bring it in.

Were you thinking of making a U-turn right at the border once landing is complete? You can turn around in one of the local roads.

 

[DEEPCUR]

There will be signs indicating what lane is for what so just follow those. I don't see how one would be able to cross over into Canada without going through immigration.
You'll first pay toll before driving to the CBSA booths. You can either pay in USD or CAD, or use VISA/MC/AMEX credit cards. I believe it's 5USD or 6 CAD that you pay. That's the only fee you will pay.

When I completed my landing I had my laptop and phone, so I listed them in goods accompanying and also goods to follow. I landed at Vancouver airport and the officer didn't even ask me about goods to follow, I had to tell him that I had a list. so he made a copy and stamped both original and copy and gave me the copy. Just to be safe have them stamp your goods to follow list. If you think you'll buy anything else at a later date that you'll need, I'd put it on the list just so its easier to bring it in.

Were you thinking of making a U-turn right at the border once landing is complete? You can turn around in one of the local roads.

Thanks so much! The trip was pretty smooth.

I did my landing today at Ambassador border. Unfortunately I got a jerk officer on Canadian side and she did not let me give a friend's address for PR side. She was saying that it is illegal to send the card to someone's address where I don't reside. She was very rude and was poking me with questions like why are you landing specifically now when you have time till April, didn't say welcome to Canada. She was saying just remember that you have to meet 2/5 year RO to keep the PR in a warning tone. Somehow landing got finished. They gave a yellow slip with an note called landing.

US side was a breeze. I gave all mine and my family's passport, i797A and i539 forms and said that I need to use AVR. He asked from where I was coming. That is it.

But I am concerned about one thing. I checked the online i94 status. I still see old i94 with old entry date. But today's trip got updated in travel history alone. Do I need to get it corrected in some way or does it imply that I would continue to stay with my i94 associated with the petition?

 

[VOBuckeye]

Thanks so much! The trip was pretty smooth.

I did my landing today at Ambassador border. Unfortunately I got a jerk officer on Canadian side and she did not let me give a friend's address for PR side. She was saying that it is illegal to send the card to someone's address where I don't reside. She was very rude and was poking me with questions like why are you landing specifically now when you have time till April, didn't say welcome to Canada. She was saying just remember that you have to meet 2/5 year RO to keep the PR in a warning tone. Somehow landing got finished. They gave a yellow slip with an note called landing.

US side was a breeze. I gave all mine and my family's passport, i797A and i539 forms and said that I need to use AVR. He asked from where I was coming. That is it.

But I am concerned about one thing. I checked the online i94 status. I still see old i94 with old entry date. But today's trip got updated in travel history alone. Do I need to get it corrected in some way or does it imply that I would continue to stay with my i94 associated with the petition?

I'm glad the trip was a success!
I'm not sure about the I-94 coz I'm kind of in a similar situation. I changed employers and got a new I-94 number with the new approval notice. I've left the US via road several times and even offered my new I-94 and no one took it. I checked online and my old I-94 was updated with recent exit/entry records. Let me know what you find out.

 

[VOBuckeye]

For those of you commuting daily from Windsor to Detroit for work, where are the safest places to live in Windsor that are convenient when crossing the border. Since I'll be working in Warren, MI it looks like taking the tunnel would be most convenient in terms of screening and traffic. I understand close to the tunnel is NOT the safest of places. How about downtown? Riverside East? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[rohitkadam]

Hello,

H1b in USA and PR in Canada.
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? Can we extend H1b like normal or do we have o go for interview at consulate because USCIS will not give i-94 since we are outside US (i.e. Canada)

 

[justinline]

Hello,

H1b in USA and PR in Canada.
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? Can we extend H1b like normal or do we have o go for interview at consulate because USCIS will not give i-94 since we are outside US (i.e. Canada)

Extension should be any normal extension, your I94 number will be the same. I am not sure if the extension will have the I94 at the bottom. If not, need to go for stamping and get new I94.

Anyways its advisable to go for stamping for each extension and keep visa uptodate.

 

[DEEPCUR]

I'm glad the trip was a success!
I'm not sure about the I-94 coz I'm kind of in a similar situation. I changed employers and got a new I-94 number with the new approval notice. I've left the US via road several times and even offered my new I-94 and no one took it. I checked online and my old I-94 was updated with recent exit/entry records. Let me know what you find out.

Thanks!

So I emailed my attorney with my travel history and online i94, and he is saying that I need to get the online i94 corrected from deferred inspection site. But in this forum everyone who used AVR confirmed that they didn't get a new i94 online and they just have travel history update. I am not sure what to do. I emailed CBP, but it has a 14 day wait. I will call them in a day or two and understand what is right thing to have.

 

[columbus26]

So here is my situation. I work for a Detroit based manufacturing company. My company is transferring me to Toronto branch to take a new project for a year on ICT. My question is if it is possible to travel via road from Windsor to Detroit on US B1/B2 visa once in a while to have meetings/presentations. If yes how does I94 thing work. I dont want to stay in US for more than 1 or 2 days on a single trip.

Note I am Indian Citizen, No Canada PR, Canada ICT and US B1 visa. I really appreciate your help.

 

[prudhvi]

To all the daily commute friends,

can you post your timeline when will you be eligible for citizenship, so that we can be in touch.
Myself I will be eligible to apply for citizenship this October and I am planning to apply by end of November.

 

[rakakatoofaan]

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

I am also looking for a share space. What experience you have in that area?