Reposting to this forum.
First of all, I would like to thank this forum and all those who shared soft landing experience under COVID restriction. After reading through multiple successful experience in this forum, we decided to do ours at Peace Arch by land. My approval date is BEFORE March 2019.
We traveled from Bay Area via I-5. Due to COVID, we didn't plan any shopping / sightseeing in this trip. We completed the U-turn soft landing in 3 days.
Day 1: Bay Area to South Portland
Day 2: South Portland to Peach Arch and back to the same hotel.
Day 3: South Portland to Bay Area.
Landing experience:
Canada Side:
Officer1: Why are you here?
Me: We are here to complete the landing step for Canada PR.
Officer1: Are you permanently today?
Me: No. We would like to return to the U.S.
Officer1: When do you plan to go back to the U.S.?
Me: We would like to return to U.S. today if possible.
(I have filled out ArriveCAN app to indicate quarantining in a hotel in Vancouver)
Officer1: What is this hotel address for?
Me: We have made a quarantine plan in case U turn is not an option for landing. But we would prefer to go back today if possible.
Officer1: Sounds good. Welcome to Canada! Please drive ahead and poll over by the stop sign. The officer over there will guide you to next step.
<Drive ahead, parked as instructed, directed into the building for the landing process>
Officer2: Please hand over your documents. Are you moving permanently today?
Me: No. Can we return to U.S. today without quarantining?
Officer2: Yes. I will should you the way after we finish. <working on her computer> When do you plan to move?
Me: Maybe Fall 2021, after Vaccine rollout completes.
Officer2: Oh, Vaccine.. Do you have the list of goods to follow?
Me: No. Since things are still changing, we are not sure what to bring yet.
Officer2: That's fine. You need to submit the list within 1 year from today. After that you cannot bring your belongings tax free. Please initial and sign here.
Me: <Initialing and Signing CoPR>
Officer2: In case you want to import your car, this is the information you need. You will also need to export it from the U.S. side first which typically takes 3 days. <Handed me a print out for car imports> Do you have a Canadian address?
Me: Yes. <Gave friend's address, no question asked>
Officer2: I saw a few U.S. address of yours in the system. Are they still valid?
Me: <After checking> No, they are old addresses. I moved. Do you need the current address?
Officer2: No. Your PR card will be sent to your Canadian address. Is that ok? <No sure if she can send it to my U.S. address if I didn't move>
Me: Sure.
Officer2: <after working on the computer and stamping the document> This is your copy (of CoPR). You can use this to come back to Canada before receiving the card. I will show you the way for U turn. Follow me.
<U turned and at U.S. border>
U.S. Officer: What brings you here?
Me: I came for landing of Canada PR.
U.S. Officer: Did you get turned back from the Canada side?
Me: Yes, I completed the landing process and told them I want to come back the same day.
U.S. Officer: Oh, PR. <Looked at the visa and passport> You are good to go.
Additional information about myself and the trip:
1. My wife and I take turns for the road trip. We spent about 10 hours / day on road.
2. Weather on I-5 was sunny on the way north. On the way back there was light snow near Oregon / California border. No chain used but carrying one is required.
3. We stayed at a hotel to the south of Portland with direct access to room from parking lot to minimize contact with other people.
4. We are on L1/L2 status in U.S. and both have valid visa.
Hope this post will help other people that are deciding. We feel this plan has minimized the COVID risk on road for ourselves and others while getting the landing done before it expires.
