HELP NEED!!!!!Travel to USA with approved BOWP letter but without physical BOWP!

[CECCEC2014]

Hi everyone,

I plan to travel to USA for a conference the incoming Wednesday, however, I dont think I will be able to receive the BOWP mail from CIC before then as it's approved the past friday. Is there anyway I can still go to the conference this Wednesday? anyone has similar situation ? Any advice will be much appreciated.

By the way, my TRV has expired already, and I know that you can travel to US without TRV but with valid Work Permit!

 

[mesumrizvi]

No.. u need to have either TRV or valid work permit.. not an approval letter.. if u r going for long may be u can ask someone to mail you the hardcopy of BOWP to your US address

 

[scylla]

I assume you already have an approved US visitor visa - or hold a passport that doesn't require a visa to visit the US?

 

[CECCEC2014]

Yes, I do have the US Visitor Visa.

I am thinking to use the approved letter from CIC to board the flight from US to Canada (not sure if i have to show them a valid Canadian work permit, in addition to my passport??), and when I arrive in Canada, I will show them the approved letter and I think they should be able to find out that my BOWP has approved. Will this work? Thanks

 

[nuke noodles]

Yes, I do have the US Visitor Visa.

I am thinking to use the approved letter from CIC to board the flight from US to Canada (not sure if i have to show them a valid Canadian work permit, in addition to my passport??), and when I arrive in Canada, I will show them the approved letter and I think they should be able to find out that my BOWP has approved. Will this work? Thanks

I suggest to give a call to call centre right away for a confirmation. In my opinion you should have no problem; the letter is a proof that you have been granted extension of WP.

My experience was: one time I travelled to the US (by ferry) for 2 days, and FORGOT to bring my WP before I leave. When I come back at the ferry terminal, at the Canadian custom, I was send to a separate room, then a Canadian VO came in (he was not aggressive or confrontational in any way), looked at my passport with my Canadian TRV, then asked a few questions before he letting me clear the custom and walk out. It was about 15 minutes with the VO including the wait.

Q (VO): Are you a PR in Canada?
A (me): No. I haven't got PR yet.

Q: Do you have a WP?
A: My WP is at home.

Q: So you just went down there at the US for a visit?
A: Yes.

Then he stamped my passport and let me go.

- nn

 

[PMM]

Hi

Yes, I do have the US Visitor Visa.

I am thinking to use the approved letter from CIC to board the flight from US to Canada (not sure if i have to show them a valid Canadian work permit, in addition to my passport??), and when I arrive in Canada, I will show them the approved letter and I think they should be able to find out that my BOWP has approved. Will this work? Thanks

1. You maybe admitted to the US, but without a valid TRV or work permit, you probably will be refused boarding on the flight back to Canada.

 

[dbss]

I suggest to give a call to call centre right away for a confirmation. In my opinion you should have no problem; the letter is a proof that you have been granted extension of WP.

My experience was: one time I travelled to the US (by ferry) for 2 days, and FORGOT to bring my WP before I leave. When I come back at the ferry terminal, at the Canadian custom, I was send to a separate room, then a Canadian VO came in (he was not aggressive or confrontational in any way), looked at my passport with my Canadian TRV, then asked a few questions before he letting me clear the custom and walk out. It was about 15 minutes with the VO including the wait.

Q (VO): Are you a PR in Canada?
A (me): No. I haven't got PR yet.

Q: Do you have a WP?
A: My WP is at home.

Q: So you just went down there at the US for a visit?
A: Yes.

Then he stamped my passport and let me go.

- nn

this will work if u come to the border in front of Border Officer....airline will most probably not let you board....because if Canada does not let you enter, the airline will be responsible for you.

 

[nuke noodles]

this will work if u come to the border in front of Border Officer....airline will most probably not let you board....because if Canada does not let you enter, the airline will be responsible for you.

Indeed. This is why I stated that my trip to the US was travelling by ferry. I suggested the OP to call the call centre for confirmation.
The OP could consider travelling by ferry, bus or driving, no trolling - if the OP is from Ontario then going to Northeastern of New England of US should be just a day trip.

- nn

 

[scylla]

I agree. If you're travelling by air - the airline isn't going to let yo board the airplane for your flight home. Getting down there won't be a problem - getting home will.

 

[CECCEC2014]

Thanks everyone for the discussion!

I asked Delta last night if I can board the flight back to Canada from US based on my current situation, and was told that they only require passport in order to board, not work permit. I am sure if they told me the truth, anyone knows how I may confirm this？

I also contacted an airport, and was told I should contact with airlines.

 

[sonnenstern]

I have never been asked upon checkin or boarding if I had a valid work permit. You could be a visitor too needing no Visa or anything, eg if you have a european passport. The airline doesn't care. ... You will be asked when you enter Canada by the officer and I suggest you bring your approval letter for your new work permit as well as your expired work permit and just explain your situation honestly to them. There is always a risk associated with this but I have seen way worse cases than yours and they were allowed to enter Canada...

 

[scylla]

I have never been asked upon checkin or boarding if I had a valid work permit.

j

Do you hold a visa exempt passport? If so, that's why.

Different story for those who are not visa exempt.

 

[sonnenstern]

Yes I do have a visa exempt passport, you could be right and that is the reason why I've not been asked. I suppose the safest would be to not travel then, as you don't even have a TRV anymore..

 

[CECCEC2014]

I dont have an exempt passport. I used to have TRV, but it was expired in the end of this September. Thanks

 

[scylla]

I dont have an exempt passport. I used to have TRV, but it was expired in the end of this September. Thanks

Right. So you can expect that boarding the plane to return back to Canada is going to be a problem. The airline will most likely refuse you boarding.