LANDING IN CANADA ??? -All You Need To Know.

[akbardxb]

Dear members of forum

I am planning for landing in April 2014 and am searching airlines. Does anyone have any experience with Saudi airline? Its fare is on a lower side currently. However, thinking a lot about this airline as I have an infant with me. Tried searching views about that airline and overall I can say it depends on staff, airline & importantly luck. Same reviews required for egypt airways too(by the way one forum member Hasni wrote good review about Egypt airways and if anyone can share more, will be helpful).

I am going on Mar 28 and gave got the cheapest fares on KLM. To YYZ via Paris and return via AMS. I chose this as I've never been to AMS and want to take a break in the way back. Lately Egypt Air was cheap but not a lot. I checked another option that was about USD 1000 was on Garuda between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam and then on Delta to YYZ. You may want to check that also. I've spent enough nights exploring the sites including options via China, Seoul etc. Saw another good option to take EK till Kiev in Ukraine (AED 990 introductory fare) and then on Air Canadian between Kiev and Toronto. This was really cheap but the waiting time in Kiev is almost 18 hrs plus the current situation in Kiev is not very good.

Personally, with an infant, a stop over in Europe for a few hours give a break to everyone - the baby, the mother and fellow passengers.

 

[Bigboss]

Most Canadian banks know that new immigrants bring large amounts as part of their landing and offer packages for them.

As you do not have credit history in Canada, you are technically not eligible to apply for a credit card (an important tool to build Canadian credit history). You however have the option of getting a secured credit card, this means that you can block a certain amount of your cash (deposit) and have that as your credit card limit. Once you build credit history and have good credit rating you will get your deposit back and the bank will continue to increase you credit limit with time (based on your rating).

Few banks offer new immigrants unsecured credit cards (no deposit needed). These cards have low credit limits ($500 to $2000 depends on bank and your personal circumstances), however once your credit ratings improves so will your credit card limit.

Some of the programs for new immigrants:

Scotiabank: http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,2468,00.html

CIBC: https://www.cibc.com/ca/chequing-savings/newcomers.html

TD Bank: http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/newtocanada/

RBC: http://www.rbc.com/canada/banking-packages/index.html

My personal experience is with Scotiabank and CIBC, but I would recommend scotiabank. Scotiabank will immediately approve a credit card with limit of $1000 for new comers. TD bank is also popular here, but they do not offer unsecured credit cards to new immigrants.

You don't have to get a saving account if you don't want one (people just get it because it is free as part of the new comer package).

One thing I would advise is that your wife get her own account and her own credit card, as she will have zero credit history as a supplementary card holder. You may need her to cosign the loan, if you want to buy a house in the future and you do not have the right credit rating.

Regards,

Thanx alot dear for yr valuable info...

 

[hr98115]

Finally completed my landing and back to USA
======================================
Alright guys let me first thank Qurox,Leon,Hot-Lier, kar_thick and many others who have been really helpful on this forum.
I completed my landing via road Seattle Vancouver border. I was more worried about my return trip as my visa has expired and have extensions of i797 and i94 but it went fine too using AVR rule.
SO here's my story:
Left for Vancouver from my home in Seattle on 16th feb . Reached border in less than 2 hours. The border was really crowded as its the Presidents day weekend in the US and a working day on Monday in Vancouver . Has to wait almost an hour and then my turn came:
Booth Officer : What brings you to Canada ( very serious almost to the level of getting rude)
Ans: I am here to complete my landing. Handed him the passports with COPR
Booth Officer: How long are you going stay ?( very serious almost to the level of getting rude)
Ans: For a few days . Maybe 3-4 days.Cant say for sure since I have to get some paperwork like SIN and bank accounts done.
Booth Officer: How long is a few days? ( now reached the rude level )
Ans: I want to take your rude behavior and shove it ...... ( just kidding)
Ans: Like I said I am not sure since I have to get some paperwork done but if you really need then you can put 3 days.
Off: Do you have any firearms:
Ans: No
Booth Officer: Are you bringing any eatables ? ( rude rude rude)
Note: we had "sawaiin" a traditional dessert . as soon as he asked I was like oh boy !!!!
Ans: Yes office we have a traditional dessert . Its like sweet noodles cooked in milk.
Booth Officer: Whats it called?
Ans: Sawaiin
Booth Officer: what ?? Soy?
Ans: like I said its sweetened grain noodles and its traditional name is "sawaiin"
Booth Officer: Does it have meat in it?
Ans: No its does not
Booth Officer: ok park your cark next to the number 1 and go to the office
Ans: Alright office have a nice day !!
Parked the car EXACTLY where he told me to and then went in the building. There was a queue and then my turn came in 10 minutes
Officer in building: Greets us and asks what brings you to Canada ?
Note:-- This guy greeted us !!! wow !!!
Ans: We are here to complete our landing.
Officer in building: Its a very popular day for becoming a PR !!
Note : I could tell that this guy is very very courteous . Totally the opposite of the guy at the booth.
So he took my COPR ( both copies ) filled a couple of things on his computer , asked me to sign the COPR, spoke with my 6 year old daughter about recent and upcoming cartoons as he had children as well , spoke with me about cartoons and movies and sports, explained to me that I have to stay 2 years to keep the PR status alive and told me that I can get the SIN from a service Canada office but I will have to go there tomorrow since they are closed on Sunday. Greeted us . Said " welcome to Canada" after we signed the COPR . He then told us that his fellow office will complete the B4 formalities with me and it should not take long since I do not have anything to declare at the moment. I thanked him and took the seat and waited for the other office to come.
Guess what ???
The same rude Booth Officer came in and called me
ahhhhhhhhhhhh my luck !!! Lets call him the Rude Officer from now on
Rude Officer : Give me your B4 form
Ans: here you go office
Rude Officer : This can't work
Ans: What ?
Rude Officer : You only have the photographs of the jewelry. U need an assessment from a Jeweler as well . Didn't u read it where you read about the pictures
Ans : Since by now I was totally pissed with this guy I said. Alright just let it go. I will not bring it. Stamp the other stuff please. ( still using please)
Note: I game him 2 sets of Goods to follow. I did not have any goods to accompany
Rude Officer : I will make a copy of this. This is all extra ( pointing out to the other copy). Threw it in the waste bin.
Note: I do understand that he wanted to make sure that both of the same so its ok if he made the copy himself.
Ans: Sure .... ( YOU ..... thinking to myself)
Rude Officer : Are you going to bring all the stuff at the same time .
Ans : ( I remember that when I told him that I will stay 3 or 4 days he somehow got offended as I want being accurate but I still answered what the truth was) Officer I am not sure about it at the moment. I might bring all the stuff at this time and might take a couple or 3 trips. ( I did say it in a very firm voice )
Rude Officer : Looked at me and then said ok they will cut off the stuff from the list whenever you bring it.
Ans: oh thats fine. It works perfectly for me . Thanks for informing me.
So there were other minor rude incidents which I do not remember at the moment and my wife was about to tell him to be little bit courteous but finally he stamped all the Goods to Follow stuff and gave it to us. Thats it said nothing as if we can leave or anything else. I asked can we leave now. He said " didn't the officer before me explain it to you " I said yes he did but I am asking if we are done with the Goods to Follow stuff. he said Yes. and then we sat on the chair and arranged our documents . I tried to go to the bathroom but there was a notice there " The bathrooms are locked . Ask your office for pin" ;D
I decided I will hold on to my nature needs to avoid any further communication with this rude guy as my destination was just 10 minutes from the border.
===============================================================================================
Note:
All I needed was the address in Canada, Passport with visa, B4 Forms for accompanying and follow, COPR
They didnt ask for the IMM forms and probably the good office filled it himself.
==========================================================================
Next day I went to get my SIN. Nothing was required but the address in Canada. No need of the SIN NS form. They fill it themselves. Do write down your parent's maiden names though
=================================================================
Bank : Was just roaming around in Surrey and saw a TD Bank branch . Went in and told that the I needed to open a bank account and we are new immigrants. They told me that I needed to deposit some amount probably 1500 CAD to keep the checking account free , otherwise I can open a savings account which has a limit of 1 debit transaction a month. Since I was going back to the US , I just opened the Savings account and they also told me that they will issue us credit cards 1000CAD limit to each of us. More importantly they will mail it to us in the US themselves.
By the way we were told that they do not take into account US credit history.
==================================================================================================================================
Now the big day coming back to the US
======================================
I had my passports in my hand with extended i797/i94 ( Valid till June 2014) inside each passport.
I greeted him myself as soon as I reached the booth " Good afternoon "
Booth /Rude Officer : I do not want this junk ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Note: I am wondering what the hell did I do to him
Booth /Rude Officer : just give me your passports ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
I took the i797s out and gave him the passpots and told him that these are out extended i797 (junk issued by you )
Booth /Rude Officer : I know what it is. Why did you go to Canada ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans: to complete out PR formalities
Booth /Rude Officer : So what do you want in the US ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans: we have a contract till June 2014. We will finish it and then leave for Canada
Booth /Rude Officer : Whats the date on the i797 ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans : June 2014
Booth /Rude Officer : 2014 ?? it cannot be 2014. When did you file it ? ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans : The filling/receiving date is 4th May 2013 ( when you just ask the date how am I supposed to know YOU ..............)
Booth /Rude Officer : Switch off your car and give me the keys
Note: He thinks I will run off or something. And he calls for a secondary officer as well.
When the secondary officer arrives he told me to follow him to the secondary checking area
So I parked the car ( by the I was being escorted and guided by 2 officers which made me feel important )
I was instructed to go to the building . I took my bag with the documents and tried to go to the building when the officer told me to leave the bag. I told him that this bag has all my documents and I opend the bag and showed to him. he handed me my passports and an orange slip and told me to g to the building. Obviously there was a queue there with only one office at the counter. My turn finally came after 45 minutes and I was called by the officr. I handed him the passports and the orange slip. His response was " I cant do this at this time " I was like baffled. Then he said that his shft is getting off in 5 minutes ( it was quarter to 1)
so told me to stand back in the line. He then came to the line and picked a guy who was 2 places behind me. This was a blessing in disguise for me as he seemed to be rude like the office at the booth. As luck has it. I saw the same booth guy coming and sat on the counter right in front of me and I was the first in the line AAAAAAHHHHHHHH !!! and suddenly I head " Next in line please" from somewhere else and I literally ran to the guy for 2 reasons. 1 he saved me from going to that idiot at the booth. 2 he said tha words "Please" which I had not heard for a while except from myself.
So this officer was the exact opposite. Greeted us and was very courteous . he did tell me that I was not sent here because of the passport or extension. I didn't ask him why I was sent to the secondary checking and suspect the sensors might be caught something and they wanted to double check.
So he did now know abou the AVR but was kind of certain that it wont be an issue and checked with his manager just to be sure and came back and let us go.
he tool the white expired i94 ( expired in 2011) out and said that its expired and I wont need it and did not put any entry stamp on my passsport as well. I did not notice it there as I rushed outside where my car was already thoroughly check and left the border and celebrated with my family at lunch !!
So heres my whole story. At both borders I met the good and the bad So it totally depends on the individual !!!
Documents required on way back :
Passports
Current i797/i94
==========================================================================
I have a few questions for the experts and would appreciate if they could be answered

1. While entering the US as I explained they took out my expired i94 ( expired in Sep 011) and did not put an entry stamp as the officer told me that the i94 has expired and I only need the current one which is valid till June 2014. Do you think I should have a problem in the future ? I will probably need to make a couple of more short visits to Canada by road before eventually moviing. That is why I am more concerned

2. I want to update myself and enroll in a university for a Masters program. I checked but the fee is too high. Do the new immigrants get student loans.

3. Are there any universities offering Online Masters ( IT ) or technology in Canada ?

4. Whats the best resource to look for technology jobs in Canada ?

Will really appreciate if these questions could be answered !!!
Thanks again !!!
=================================================================================

 

[rizmayo]

Nice detailed post... Sorry to hear you got to see the uglier side of Canadian hospitality.

Regards,

==========================================================================
I have a few questions for the experts and would appreciate if they could be answered

1. While entering the US as I explained they took out my expired i94 ( expired in Sep 011) and did not put an entry stamp as the officer told me that the i94 has expired and I only need the current one which is valid till June 2014. Do you think I should have a problem in the future ? I will probably need to make a couple of more short visits to Canada by road before eventually moviing. That is why I am more concerned

2. I want to update myself and enroll in a university for a Masters program. I checked but the fee is too high. Do the new immigrants get student loans. Yes you can. You will get a lump sum amount consisting of both a grant and a loan. Grant you keep, but loan is the portion you need to return. The amount you get as a grant depends on the last income you declare. As it is partly funded by the federal government and partially by the provincial government, you need to apply for it through the program in the province you take up permanent residence in (the actual university can be anywhere in Canada). You can also get living expenses as part of the loan (same as US).

3. Are there any universities offering Online Masters ( IT ) or technology in Canada ? Does it matter, if the university is in Canada or Guatemala, if it is online? ;D If you are going to invest in education, there are a lot of good universities here

4. Whats the best resource to look for technology jobs in Canada ? workopolis.com , ca.indeed.com and also posting on LinkedIn are current. bctechnology.com is good for Vancouver jobs

Will really appreciate if these questions could be answered !!!
Thanks again !!!
=================================================================================

 

[hr98115]

Thanks Rizmo
I did see the good side of Canadian hospitality as well . Found the US side a little less hospitable though !
But again it depends on the individual

2. I want to update myself and enroll in a university for a Masters program. I checked but the fee is too high. Do the new immigrants get student loans. Yes you can. You will get a lump sum amount consisting of both a grant and a loan. Grant you keep, but loan is the portion you need to return. The amount you get as a grant depends on the last income you declare. As it is partly funded by the federal government and partially by the provincial government, you need to apply for it through the program in the province you take up permanent residence in (the actual university can be anywhere in Canada). You can also get living expenses as part of the loan (same as US).

Could you please tell me the process of getting these loans and how to get the best rates etc. ? Thanks again !!

3. Are there any universities offering Online Masters ( IT ) or technology in Canada ? Does it matter, if the university is in Canada or Guatemala, if it is online? Grin If you are going to invest in education, there are a lot of good universities here

As a matter of fact currently it does. My family is in Seattle as my wife has a contract till December 2014. I am free at the moment and want to utilize this year and would like to stay with my family as well. So I was interested in enrolling in a Canadian University and probably doing one or two semesters online
Thanks again !!

 

[hr98115]

Folks there are also a couple of things that I had confusion with which were clarified and think would help others
1. I went on my own car and listed it in the goods to follow. The officer just checked if it was in the GTF .
2. I applied for Ontario but since I relocated to Seattle, WA which is driving distance to Vancouver BC, I completed my landing there. I still intend to move to Ontario though
Again this is just my experience . Depends on the officer you are dealing with !!

 

[rizmayo]

Thanks Rizmo
I did see the good side of Canadian hospitality as well . Found the US side a little less hospitable though !
But again it depends on the individual

2. I want to update myself and enroll in a university for a Masters program. I checked but the fee is too high. Do the new immigrants get student loans. Yes you can. You will get a lump sum amount consisting of both a grant and a loan. Grant you keep, but loan is the portion you need to return. The amount you get as a grant depends on the last income you declare. As it is partly funded by the federal government and partially by the provincial government, you need to apply for it through the program in the province you take up permanent residence in (the actual university can be anywhere in Canada). You can also get living expenses as part of the loan (same as US).

Could you please tell me the process of getting these loans and how to get the best rates etc. ? Thanks again !! You don't have to be worried about the rates as these are regulated by the government. For British Columbia: https://studentaidbc.ca/ and for Ontario: https://osap.gov.on.ca

3. Are there any universities offering Online Masters ( IT ) or technology in Canada ? Does it matter, if the university is in Canada or Guatemala, if it is online? Grin If you are going to invest in education, there are a lot of good universities here

As a matter of fact currently it does. My family is in Seattle as my wife has a contract till December 2014. I am free at the moment and want to utilize this year and would like to stay with my family as well. So I was interested in enrolling in a Canadian University and probably doing one or two semesters online
Thanks again !! That would be tough for you, as you might not get funding for an online course. This is a good program and it so happens it is available online as well: https://uwaterloo.ca/management-sciences/programs/master-management-sciences-msci-online

 

[hr98115]

Thanks riz for all the useful information

 

[donwin4real]

Nice detailed post... Sorry to hear you got to see the uglier side of Canadian hospitality.

Regards,

Very informative

 

[string11]

Finally completed my landing and back to USA
======================================
Alright guys let me first thank Qurox,Leon,Hot-Lier, kar_thick and many others who have been really helpful on this forum.
I completed my landing via road Seattle Vancouver border. I was more worried about my return trip as my visa has expired and have extensions of i797 and i94 but it went fine too using AVR rule.
SO here's my story:
Left for Vancouver from my home in Seattle on 16th feb . Reached border in less than 2 hours. The border was really crowded as its the Presidents day weekend in the US and a working day on Monday in Vancouver . Has to wait almost an hour and then my turn came:
Booth Officer : What brings you to Canada ( very serious almost to the level of getting rude)
Ans: I am here to complete my landing. Handed him the passports with COPR
Booth Officer: How long are you going stay ?( very serious almost to the level of getting rude)
Ans: For a few days . Maybe 3-4 days.Cant say for sure since I have to get some paperwork like SIN and bank accounts done.
Booth Officer: How long is a few days? ( now reached the rude level )
Ans: I want to take your rude behavior and shove it ...... ( just kidding)
Ans: Like I said I am not sure since I have to get some paperwork done but if you really need then you can put 3 days.
Off: Do you have any firearms:
Ans: No
Booth Officer: Are you bringing any eatables ? ( rude rude rude)
Note: we had "sawaiin" a traditional dessert . as soon as he asked I was like oh boy !!!!
Ans: Yes office we have a traditional dessert . Its like sweet noodles cooked in milk.
Booth Officer: Whats it called?
Ans: Sawaiin
Booth Officer: what ?? Soy?
Ans: like I said its sweetened grain noodles and its traditional name is "sawaiin"
Booth Officer: Does it have meat in it?
Ans: No its does not
Booth Officer: ok park your cark next to the number 1 and go to the office
Ans: Alright office have a nice day !!
Parked the car EXACTLY where he told me to and then went in the building. There was a queue and then my turn came in 10 minutes
Officer in building: Greets us and asks what brings you to Canada ?
Note:-- This guy greeted us !!! wow !!!
Ans: We are here to complete our landing.
Officer in building: Its a very popular day for becoming a PR !!
Note : I could tell that this guy is very very courteous . Totally the opposite of the guy at the booth.
So he took my COPR ( both copies ) filled a couple of things on his computer , asked me to sign the COPR, spoke with my 6 year old daughter about recent and upcoming cartoons as he had children as well , spoke with me about cartoons and movies and sports, explained to me that I have to stay 2 years to keep the PR status alive and told me that I can get the SIN from a service Canada office but I will have to go there tomorrow since they are closed on Sunday. Greeted us . Said " welcome to Canada" after we signed the COPR . He then told us that his fellow office will complete the B4 formalities with me and it should not take long since I do not have anything to declare at the moment. I thanked him and took the seat and waited for the other office to come.
Guess what ???
The same rude Booth Officer came in and called me
ahhhhhhhhhhhh my luck !!! Lets call him the Rude Officer from now on
Rude Officer : Give me your B4 form
Ans: here you go office
Rude Officer : This can't work
Ans: What ?
Rude Officer : You only have the photographs of the jewelry. U need an assessment from a Jeweler as well . Didn't u read it where you read about the pictures
Ans : Since by now I was totally pissed with this guy I said. Alright just let it go. I will not bring it. Stamp the other stuff please. ( still using please)
Note: I game him 2 sets of Goods to follow. I did not have any goods to accompany
Rude Officer : I will make a copy of this. This is all extra ( pointing out to the other copy). Threw it in the waste bin.
Note: I do understand that he wanted to make sure that both of the same so its ok if he made the copy himself.
Ans: Sure .... ( YOU ..... thinking to myself)
Rude Officer : Are you going to bring all the stuff at the same time .
Ans : ( I remember that when I told him that I will stay 3 or 4 days he somehow got offended as I want being accurate but I still answered what the truth was) Officer I am not sure about it at the moment. I might bring all the stuff at this time and might take a couple or 3 trips. ( I did say it in a very firm voice )
Rude Officer : Looked at me and then said ok they will cut off the stuff from the list whenever you bring it.
Ans: oh thats fine. It works perfectly for me . Thanks for informing me.
So there were other minor rude incidents which I do not remember at the moment and my wife was about to tell him to be little bit courteous but finally he stamped all the Goods to Follow stuff and gave it to us. Thats it said nothing as if we can leave or anything else. I asked can we leave now. He said " didn't the officer before me explain it to you " I said yes he did but I am asking if we are done with the Goods to Follow stuff. he said Yes. and then we sat on the chair and arranged our documents . I tried to go to the bathroom but there was a notice there " The bathrooms are locked . Ask your office for pin" ;D
I decided I will hold on to my nature needs to avoid any further communication with this rude guy as my destination was just 10 minutes from the border.
===============================================================================================
Note:
All I needed was the address in Canada, Passport with visa, B4 Forms for accompanying and follow, COPR
They didnt ask for the IMM forms and probably the good office filled it himself.
==========================================================================
Next day I went to get my SIN. Nothing was required but the address in Canada. No need of the SIN NS form. They fill it themselves. Do write down your parent's maiden names though
=================================================================
Bank : Was just roaming around in Surrey and saw a TD Bank branch . Went in and told that the I needed to open a bank account and we are new immigrants. They told me that I needed to deposit some amount probably 1500 CAD to keep the checking account free , otherwise I can open a savings account which has a limit of 1 debit transaction a month. Since I was going back to the US , I just opened the Savings account and they also told me that they will issue us credit cards 1000CAD limit to each of us. More importantly they will mail it to us in the US themselves.
By the way we were told that they do not take into account US credit history.
==================================================================================================================================
Now the big day coming back to the US
======================================
I had my passports in my hand with extended i797/i94 ( Valid till June 2014) inside each passport.
I greeted him myself as soon as I reached the booth " Good afternoon "
Booth /Rude Officer : I do not want this junk ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Note: I am wondering what the hell did I do to him
Booth /Rude Officer : just give me your passports ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
I took the i797s out and gave him the passpots and told him that these are out extended i797 (junk issued by you )
Booth /Rude Officer : I know what it is. Why did you go to Canada ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans: to complete out PR formalities
Booth /Rude Officer : So what do you want in the US ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans: we have a contract till June 2014. We will finish it and then leave for Canada
Booth /Rude Officer : Whats the date on the i797 ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans : June 2014
Booth /Rude Officer : 2014 ?? it cannot be 2014. When did you file it ? ( AS RUDE AS POSSIBLE )
Ans : The filling/receiving date is 4th May 2013 ( when you just ask the date how am I supposed to know YOU ..............)
Booth /Rude Officer : Switch off your car and give me the keys
Note: He thinks I will run off or something. And he calls for a secondary officer as well.
When the secondary officer arrives he told me to follow him to the secondary checking area
So I parked the car ( by the I was being escorted and guided by 2 officers which made me feel important )
I was instructed to go to the building . I took my bag with the documents and tried to go to the building when the officer told me to leave the bag. I told him that this bag has all my documents and I opend the bag and showed to him. he handed me my passports and an orange slip and told me to g to the building. Obviously there was a queue there with only one office at the counter. My turn finally came after 45 minutes and I was called by the officr. I handed him the passports and the orange slip. His response was " I cant do this at this time " I was like baffled. Then he said that his shft is getting off in 5 minutes ( it was quarter to 1)
so told me to stand back in the line. He then came to the line and picked a guy who was 2 places behind me. This was a blessing in disguise for me as he seemed to be rude like the office at the booth. As luck has it. I saw the same booth guy coming and sat on the counter right in front of me and I was the first in the line AAAAAAHHHHHHHH !!! and suddenly I head " Next in line please" from somewhere else and I literally ran to the guy for 2 reasons. 1 he saved me from going to that idiot at the booth. 2 he said tha words "Please" which I had not heard for a while except from myself.
So this officer was the exact opposite. Greeted us and was very courteous . he did tell me that I was not sent here because of the passport or extension. I didn't ask him why I was sent to the secondary checking and suspect the sensors might be caught something and they wanted to double check.
So he did now know abou the AVR but was kind of certain that it wont be an issue and checked with his manager just to be sure and came back and let us go.
he tool the white expired i94 ( expired in 2011) out and said that its expired and I wont need it and did not put any entry stamp on my passsport as well. I did not notice it there as I rushed outside where my car was already thoroughly check and left the border and celebrated with my family at lunch !!
So heres my whole story. At both borders I met the good and the bad So it totally depends on the individual !!!
Documents required on way back :
Passports
Current i797/i94
==========================================================================
I have a few questions for the experts and would appreciate if they could be answered

1. While entering the US as I explained they took out my expired i94 ( expired in Sep 011) and did not put an entry stamp as the officer told me that the i94 has expired and I only need the current one which is valid till June 2014. Do you think I should have a problem in the future ? I will probably need to make a couple of more short visits to Canada by road before eventually moviing. That is why I am more concerned

2. I want to update myself and enroll in a university for a Masters program. I checked but the fee is too high. Do the new immigrants get student loans.

3. Are there any universities offering Online Masters ( IT ) or technology in Canada ?

4. Whats the best resource to look for technology jobs in Canada ?

Will really appreciate if these questions could be answered !!!
Thanks again !!!
=================================================================================

Hi hr98115,
This was an interesting travel story, i just couldn't stop reading all thro.. I would like to request u about if its ok to return back within few days of entry? As i am also in almost the situation of urs, I am on H visa and expiration is next year 2015, would like to come back and look for jobs in canada before i move within this 1 year.
What do u suggest? I am traveling by air.
Other forum members and seniors can also put their views.

 

[hr98115]

hi string11

I am not sure what you mean by expiry of visa in 2015. If its the expiry of the stamped visa ( I assume the i94 is also valid till the stamped visa) then there is no issue at all. You can come back in how ever many days before the stamped visa expires. Any mode of transport !!
In the other case when the stamp visa has expired and you have extensions i797/i94 through USCIS then you are allowed to travel to neighboring countries ( Canada included) but you will have to return within 30 days of leaving USA given that you are coming back before the expiry date of the extended i94. You can fly as well but you will have to mention to the authorities at the US departure airport that you will be returning so they do not detach your i94. The important i94 is the one which you got after extension ( incase there was an extension otherwise the original white one). Keep the AVR rule copy because most of the officers at CBP dont know about this rule . Please note you should not apply for a stamped US visa while in Canada if you want to return as its one of the requirements of AVR.
Hope that helps !!!

 

[string11]

hi string11

I am not sure what you mean by expiry of visa in 2015. If its the expiry of the stamped visa ( I assume the i94 is also valid till the stamped visa) then there is no issue at all. You can come back in how ever many days before the stamped visa expires. Any mode of transport !!
In the other case when the stamp visa has expired and you have extensions i797/i94 through USCIS then you are allowed to travel to neighboring countries ( Canada included) but you will have to return within 30 days of leaving USA given that you are coming back before the expiry date of the extended i94. You can fly as well but you will have to mention to the authorities at the US departure airport that you will be returning so they do not detach your i94. The important i94 is the one which you got after extension ( incase there was an extension otherwise the original white one). Keep the AVR rule copy because most of the officers at CBP dont know about this rule . Please note you should not apply for a stamped US visa while in Canada if you want to return as its one of the requirements of AVR.
Hope that helps !!!

Yes, my visa had already expired but changed my status to H1 status and had I94 extension which is valid till 2015. But as u mentioned i have to get the new visa stamped if i go to my country, but not neighboring country like canada if its less than 30 days?

 

[hr98115]

Yes, my visa had already expired but changed my status to H1 status and had I94 extension which is valid till 2015. But as u mentioned i have to get the new visa stamped if i go to my country, but not neighboring country like canada if its less than 30 days?

Correct !!!

 

[mute_man]

hr98115: good read

 

[harvinder25]

Seniors/Experts/Canadian PR Holders Smiley
Have following questions if any know know.

1) myself and spouse received PR Visas on our passports but our 4 month old who is an american citizen (with american passport) did not, though we all received COPRs. Did CPP-O forgot to put a visa or they generally don't put it for infants/kids?

2) As we have a 4 month old baby i was thinking myself alone can complete the landing procedure at toronto and then come back after applying for SIN and Health Card
a. can i apply for all family member SIN's or just for me?
b. can i apply for my health card and come back...so that when we migrate after 3-4 months i have a health insurance?
c. can i apply for my spouse and infants health card along with mine so that they have health card in 3-4 months ...by the time they migrate? Currently it takes 3 months to get a health card in Ontario.

Please help.