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

[niknike]

Hi Friends,
I am planning to visit Canada from USA, for 2-3 days, just to complete my landing formality. I have few doubts related to landing process & ll really appreciate if someone can guide on these:
(1) Can we show "US Bank Account statements" as Proof of funds at Canada port of entry? As I will be visiting for only 2-3 days & ll stay at my relatives, is it enuf to carry 500$ Canadian in cash and show the required settlement funds proof using US Bank statements!
(2) I don't think, I have to fill/provide: Goods Accompanying List. and Goods to Follow list(Form B4 / B4A) for this upcoming short landing trip and B4 form can be filled later when I ll go permanently? Please confirm.
(3) When I will re-enter USA from Canada, will I get a new I94# number or it will the same existing one? Any difference in process for CANADA-US travelers?
Please guide!!! Thanks much!!

 

[xylene]

Hi Friends,
I am planning to visit Canada from USA, for 2-3 days, just to complete my landing formality. I have few doubts related to landing process & ll really appreciate if someone can guide on these:
(1) Can we show "US Bank Account statements" as Proof of funds at Canada port of entry? As I will be visiting for only 2-3 days & ll stay at my relatives, is it enuf to carry 500$ Canadian in cash and show the required settlement funds proof using US Bank statements!
(2) I don't think, I have to fill/provide: Goods Accompanying List. and Goods to Follow list(Form B4 / B4A) for this upcoming short landing trip and B4 form can be filled later when I ll go permanently? Please confirm.
(3) When I will re-enter USA from Canada, will I get a new I94# number or it will the same existing one? Any difference in process for CANADA-US travelers?
Please guide!!! Thanks much!!

1) Yes
2) I think you can fill the goods to follow so that when you land permanently you wont be charged duty on the products. For example if you show that you are bringing in 25k CAD worth of gold later, next time you land you can just show the good to follow list (which customs will stamp during your first entry) and walk out without paying any duty on it...
3)I think you can use the same I94 as long as it has not expired.

 

[happyca]

I want to know following information for landing:

(1) Which bridge is better Peace or Rainbow?

(2) Does Peace bridge also has an option to cross the bridge on foot?

(3) How to proceed for flagpolling with a Canadian baby? Will the baby also get the administrative refusal?

(4) If taking car (assuming to enter USA with valid visa), is there any paper work to do for car?

(5) While entering to USA , will I also have to face Canadian immigration? and same while returning will I face USA immigration? If I am not facing USA immigration on return, how will I return I-94 card?

(6) What are the near places to visit after entering to USA (Rainbow and Peace bridge sides) and spend few hours there and then come back for landing?

Thank you.

I went to Canada from US in 2010. You will need to ensure you have all the valid paperwork in regards to your car. If rental car, have the lease agreement and etc handy.

You will go through US custom and then Canadian and same thing on the way back. Canadian and then US. On the way back from Canada to US, US custom will ask you to open your trunk to check for fruits and etc and asked you a few questions.

 

[bhumir]

Hi,

CAN ANYONE HELP ME UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND WHEN IS IT NEEDED? WE ARE PLANING TRIP FOR 10 DAYS SO PR CARD WILL NOR BE AVAILABLE BY THAT PLEASE HELP ME.

 

[steaky]

Hi,

CAN ANYONE HELP ME UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND WHEN IS IT NEEDED? WE ARE PLANING TRIP FOR 10 DAYS SO PR CARD WILL NOR BE AVAILABLE BY THAT PLEASE HELP ME.

Don't shout.

Travel document is needed when you don't have a valid PR card (or visa-exempted passport) to re-enter Canada from abroad using a commercial vehicle (such as by plane).

 

[bikbis]

1) Yes
2) I think you can fill the goods to follow so that when you land permanently you wont be charged duty on the products. For example if you show that you are bringing in 25k CAD worth of gold later, next time you land you can just show the good to follow list (which customs will stamp during your first entry) and walk out without paying any duty on it...
3)I think you can use the same I94 as long as it has not expired.

I agree with niknike, however I think you need a valid visa to re-enter USA from Canada. I also read somewhere that you can use AVR rule to reenter USA within 30 days if you have a valid I-94, regardless your expired visa stamp. I am not sure which one is more reliable and better solution but if you don't want to take a chances, you can schedule for US visa appointment prior to entering Canada.

 

[niknike]

I agree with niknike, however I think you need a valid visa to re-enter USA from Canada. I also read somewhere that you can use AVR rule to reenter USA within 30 days if you have a valid I-94, regardless your expired visa stamp. I am not sure which one is more reliable and better solution but if you don't want to take a chances, you can schedule for US visa appointment prior to entering Canada.

I don't need to use AVR as I do have valid US Visa as well as I94. I had a doubt that at what point US immigration/customs check will come into picture when travelling by AIR. I heard that US Visa docs/papers will get checked in Canada only : and nothing at US port of entry.
Maybe if someone who had travelled from US-Canada-US on H visa, can give more insight!!

 

[nekeol]

if not landing in us then no need of any thing but if landing or flight is connected in US before Canada then us visa is required.

 

[niknike]

1) Yes
2) I think you can fill the goods to follow so that when you land permanently you wont be charged duty on the products. For example if you show that you are bringing in 25k CAD worth of gold later, next time you land you can just show the good to follow list (which customs will stamp during your first entry) and walk out without paying any duty on it...
3)I think you can use the same I94 as long as it has not expired.

Thanks for your response xylene.
Reg. point 2 - for B4/B4a form: I ve read in this forum only that B4/B4A forms are not required for a short trip ie: if we are not going to settle in Canada and are just going to complete our landing formalities. In that case we are still considered as visitor and not settlers!
So does that mean, when we will move permanently to Canada (2nd trip) at that point we can declare form B4/B4A?? How will Canada border/customs officers, will consider that trip as our permanent trip and allow our goods as duty free then?? Still confused!! :-[

 

[xylene]

Thanks for your response xylene.
Reg. point 2 - for B4/B4a form: I ve read in this forum only that B4/B4A forms are not required for a short trip ie: if we are not going to settle in Canada and are just going to complete our landing formalities. In that case we are still considered as visitor and not settlers!
So does that mean, when we will move permanently to Canada (2nd trip) at that point we can declare form B4/B4A?? How will Canada border/customs officers, will consider that trip as our permanent trip and allow our goods as duty free then?? Still confused!! :-[

Well to my knowledge when you enter Canada with your PR papers you have completed your settlement. I don't think Customs treat short landing (it is a term created by us) any different to permanent landing.
Additionally declaring gold etc purchased outside of Canada is a mandate for everyone entering Canada visitors/PR/citizens.

 

[happyca]

I don't need to use AVR as I do have valid US Visa as well as I94. I had a doubt that at what point US immigration/customs check will come into picture when travelling by AIR. I heard that US Visa docs/papers will get checked in Canada only : and nothing at US port of entry.
Maybe if someone who had travelled from US-Canada-US on H visa, can give more insight!!

If nothing has changed since 2010, you just need your H1b stamp in your passport, letter from your US employer, copy of your H1b application and supporting docs and I94 if traveling by land. I did not get checked in Canada aside from the standard questions of how long you plan to stay and your itinerary. I did not get checked in US either on the way back by land. If you are traveling by air, US will always check your documents and asked you questions. Depending on the agent, they may randomly pick you for further questioning which I went through and hanged around in the immigration area for additional hour or so (the officer who looked at my passport earlier asked his supervisor what should I asked her since I had asked these questions and his supervisor said ask the same questions again! :-X). No matter how long they detain you, best not to question the officers which one frustrated passenger did. BAD idea!

 

[bikbis]

I don't need to use AVR as I do have valid US Visa as well as I94. I had a doubt that at what point US immigration/customs check will come into picture when travelling by AIR. I heard that US Visa docs/papers will get checked in Canada only : and nothing at US port of entry.
Maybe if someone who had travelled from US-Canada-US on H visa, can give more insight!!

When I traveled To Canada (as a visitor) 2 years ago from USA, I had valid I-94 and was in H1 status but didn't have valid US VISA.

I was not aware of AVR rule, thus I made an appointment to US embassy in Toronto for VISA stamping prior to my travel date.

after my arrival in Canada, I went for visa interview and had to wait 3-4 days to get my passport back which is needed in the border while reentering to USA.

 

[robsmann]

I don't need to use AVR as I do have valid US Visa as well as I94. I had a doubt that at what point US immigration/customs check will come into picture when travelling by AIR. I heard that US Visa docs/papers will get checked in Canada only : and nothing at US port of entry.
Maybe if someone who had travelled from US-Canada-US on H visa, can give more insight!!

Hi Nikhil,

First of all, relax! From your questions on the forum, it seems that you are worried about leaving United States. Do not be worried. Since you have valid status, you will be allowed to re-enter.

I have travelled from Toronto, Canada to Washington DC , USA on a valid H1B visa (this was in Feb '14). When I landed in USA, I had to undergo the standard immigration check at port of entry.

I have recently landed on PR in Canada by car. I shall share my detailed experience in a separate post.

Cheers & good luck with your landing process.

 

[robsmann]

Hi All,
I live and work in United States on H1B work permit.

I drove in my wife's car from USA to Canada via Peace Bridge and here is my experience:

When I arrived at Peace Bridge, the officer was very cooperative. He asked me for passport. I handed over my passport. After looking at the passport, he said you have immigrant visa. I said yes I recently received permanent residence. He said: great. then you should say that you are doing your landing. He asked if the car was my own or rental. I said it is my wife's car. He asked is she landing too. I said she shall be landing later. He asked if I am importing the car to which I said I am not; I shall be going back in 2 weeks to sell off the car in United States. He asked if I am bringing anything else other than what is in the car. I said I might bring some furniture later on. Then he handed over a yellow paper to me and asked me to park my car in slot # 10 and then enter the big building I see to do the landing formalities.
When I entered the building, I was greeted by an officer who asked for information for entering into the system. He told me that my PR card would arrive in 6 to 8 weeks and that I am now as good as a citizen except I won't have voting rights. He then asked me to go to the CBSA officer within the same room.
He provided me form to fill up the goods carried and goods to follow. And I was all set. Before arriving at Peace Bridge, I was worried about driving wife's car without her as they might have why I am taking the car out of United States without her and why I am not importing it. But there were absolutely no questions asked by the CBSA officer.

So, guys relax. These people are sensible to understand situations and have made the processes simple for us to immigrate.

I have an expired H1B visa but my H1B extension got approved recently. I am waiting for the approved I797 and then I shall be entering the US on ARV! Cheers!! It feels so good to be a permanent resident and people here in Toronto are so immigrant friendly.

 

[bikbis]

Hi All,
I live and work in United States on H1B work permit.

I drove in my wife's car from USA to Canada via Peace Bridge and here is my experience:

When I arrived at Peace Bridge, the officer was very cooperative. He asked me for passport. I handed over my passport. After looking at the passport, he said you have immigrant visa. I said yes I recently received permanent residence. He said: great. then you should say that you are doing your landing. He asked if the car was my own or rental. I said it is my wife's car. He asked is she landing too. I said she shall be landing later. He asked if I am importing the car to which I said I am not; I shall be going back in 2 weeks to sell off the car in United States. He asked if I am bringing anything else other than what is in the car. I said I might bring some furniture later on. Then he handed over a yellow paper to me and asked me to park my car in slot # 10 and then enter the big building I see to do the landing formalities.
When I entered the building, I was greeted by an officer who asked for information for entering into the system. He told me that my PR card would arrive in 6 to 8 weeks and that I am now as good as a citizen except I won't have voting rights. He then asked me to go to the CBSA officer within the same room.
He provided me form to fill up the goods carried and goods to follow. And I was all set. Before arriving at Peace Bridge, I was worried about driving wife's car without her as they might have why I am taking the car out of United States without her and why I am not importing it. But there were absolutely no questions asked by the CBSA officer.

So, guys relax. These people are sensible to understand situations and have made the processes simple for us to immigrate.

I have an expired H1B visa but my H1B extension got approved recently. I am waiting for the approved I797 and then I shall be entering the US on ARV! Cheers!! It feels so good to be a permanent resident and people here in Toronto are so immigrant friendly.

Thank you, so much for the detailed post and congrats on your PR. I think folks are more worried about re-entering US, specially those who are in H1 with valid I-94 and expired visa. sounds like so many of us are confused whether to use AVR or to go for visa interview.
Please let us know your detailed re-entering procedure as well, if possible.
Thanks again for the great post!!!