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

[skarme312]

Thanks - That is what I estimated using the tax software and even after contributions if income reaches high enough, there is additional tax due on the Canadian side. Pretty steep cost involved.

Hmmm. I remember having to pay something like 3 grand on the US side.

 

[mayple]

Hmmm. I remember having to pay something like 3 grand on the US side.

I'm talking additional tax to Canada on top of what you already pay to IRS. Depending on your taxable income, the additional taxes can be significant running in thousands (not 3-4 thousand but substantially more)

 

[canprofus]

Thanks - That is what I estimated using the tax software and even after contributions if income reaches high enough, there is additional tax due on the Canadian side. Pretty steep cost involved.

even though tax rates are similar in both countries, it is more so because one gets in to different tax bracket when USD is converted in to CAD + lack of standard or any kind of deductions in Canada.

 

[mayple]

even though tax rates are similar in both countries, it is more so because one gets in to different tax bracket when USD is converted in to CAD + lack of standard or any kind of deductions in Canada.

Yeah - conversion pushes up the income. But also that its the provincial tax that makes the difference count. Federal taxes are similar. Ontario e.g. you can go as high as 53% total tax (federal + provincial) once your taxable income goes over 221k. US does not tax 53% combined at those levels. Its a pretty significant difference. Alberta has the lowest tax burder amongst major provinces

 

[spikyshotgun]

That would be the quickest way. I personally just opted to have a paycheck mailed to me and deposit that to a USD account at Scotiabank. There will be some delay with the time it takes for the check to be delivered via post, also the bank may keep a hold on the first 1-2 checks, after that they stop with the holds once the history becomes normal. The only advantage to this for me was that I could manage finances better as I personally don't like have multiple accounts to keep track of.

Thanks for your reply. I do agree, a lot of bank accounts can be a headache to manage! I too am looking to pare down my US accounts. But, I do want some money available in US bank accounts as well as I am continuing to use some US credit cards. So, will need the money to pay them off.

 

[Ketobaby]

So, I moved to Canada a few months ago and now commute across the border daily which has been largely smooth.

What is the simplest method to bring your monthly paycheck/ money from US to Canada on an ongoing basis?
I was thinking of opening a TD account in USA and then use that to move money every month to my TD Canada US Dollar account.

Yes any cross border banking account should work.

Some employers pay directly into a cross border account, some pay only to US account. Either way a cross border account should work.

 

[CanucksRajiv]

Hello All,

Any WhatsApp group for Windsor - Detroit commute? Please let me know i would like to join.

 

[CanadianInWaiting]

Hello. I am in Windsor and will be commuting to Detroit starting next week with an approved H-1B (I-797). I am filling up the DS160 to get an appointment for visa stamping in Canada. I am not sure how to answer some questions now:

i) Travel plans: Should I say I have specific plans of travel to the USA and enter the start and end date of approved H-1B petition as date of entering and leaving the USA? Should I then also put the 'address where you will be staying in the USA' as the office address in Detroit?
OR
Should I answer travel plans as unspecified?

ii) All the information about past travel dates will be outdated by the time of appointment as I will be commuting multiple times a week. I assume that will not be an issue.

iii) I think I will be eligible for dropbox appointment. Should I choose dropbox appointment OR an interview at the embassy as the passport is returned faster?

 

[CanadianInWaiting]

One more question about commuting: I imported a car from the USA but it will be a few weeks before I can register it. In the meantime, can I use my car with US state license plates for commuting?

 

[darshuvisa]

Hello everyone,

I just have a few questions to ask.

I am planning to move to Windsor soon next month. I work on H-1B in the US as a full time employee and my work location is Texas. My H-1B visa stamp is valid until Sep 2024

1. Is that ok to travel to Texas for work once in a month?
2. What kind of questions will be asked at the port of entry?
3. What's the best and cheapest way to cross the border and go to the Detroit Airport?

 

[darshuvisa]

I traveled to US yesterday for work for a day after a month. I was exempted from quarantine as well as from tests despite telling the officer that I work as software engineer. All they check if the trip was essential or not. Traveling to work is an essential for a person. I suggest not to scare people with your posts on this subject. If people need to travel to work, they need to travel. Period. CBSA understands this and that's why they don't ask things like if it's not possible to work remote blah blah blah. Based on talking to people in Windsor, nobody was ever asked anything on their profession in all of this pandemic.

@canprofus Actually I wanted to ask u if u are on H-1B? If yes, have u tried traveling to the US just once a month? I am planning to move to Windsor soon and want to make sure that it's ok to travel to the US once a month for work and if this results into questions from the CBP like "Why do u just travel once in a month?" My work location is Texas and the entire company is working remotely. Hence, my thought is to move to Canada, complete the days required to obtain the Citizenship and move back to the US after acquiring the citizenship. Let me know once u get a chance

 

[CanadianInWaiting]

Hello everyone,

I just have a few questions to ask.

I am planning to move to Windsor soon next month. I work on H-1B in the US as a full time employee and my work location is Texas. My H-1B visa stamp is valid until Sep 2024

1. Is that ok to travel to Texas for work once in a month?
2. What kind of questions will be asked at the port of entry?
3. What's the best and cheapest way to cross the border and go to the Detroit Airport?

Hi. I have just moved to Windsor and I came across Robert Q shuttle from Windsor, London and a few other places to Detroit airport and back. It is about $75 CAD from Windsor to Detroit airport and runs 3-5 times a day. Others who have been here might have better recommendations but I needed to book something soon and this was what I found. I called the shuttle operator to verify if they take passengers who are not Canadian or American passport holders and they said yes as long as you have a valid visa to go to US. I will also ask them about AVR when I take the shuttle next time.

 

[varrr1]

Hi. I will be moving to Canada on a work permit from the USA. Not applied to PR yet. My spouse is on an F1 visa and he will be moving to Canada on open work permit. Is it possible for him to commute daily from Canada to the USA and back again on an F1 visa for work?

 

[swan0206]

Hi. I will be moving to Canada on a work permit from the USA. Not applied to PR yet. My spouse is on an F1 visa and he will be moving to Canada on open work permit. Is it possible for him to commute daily from Canada to the USA and back again on an F1 visa for work?

As far as i know this scenario is very rare and it would be risky to do this. Better consult an immigration lawyer.

 

[CanucksRajiv]

Hi. I will be moving to Canada on a work permit from the USA. Not applied to PR yet. My spouse is on an F1 visa and he will be moving to Canada on open work permit. Is it possible for him to commute daily from Canada to the USA and back again on an F1 visa for work?

Nope. He can’t do that. H1b’s, L1s can do that. For F1s, F2s, H4 dependents it’s not possible. Your spouse need to stay in the USA. He can’t do multiple entries which may raise suspicion that he is not fulfilling the F1/ OPT requirement.