Rumors about an executive order that bans the entry H1b holders around.

[harirajmohan]

Ok, does that mean if someone's H1 is expiring soon, they can travel and get stamped?

No new visa for H1 still as per my understanding based on today's additional update on yesterday's article by state.gov below. The tweet is more of H4 family members are now allowed to apply for visa while H1 has valid visa as of June 24.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html

 

[Roshwarner]

Hi Guys, Quick update on my soft-landing experience.

Flight to Canada:
We took flight from Boston to Toronto Pearson (06/26/2020 - after EO was announced)
- The flight was smooth, usual temperature check, plus CoPR doc check at the counter to receive boarding pass (Air Canada). The only question asked was the purpose of travel to Canada, for which we replied: we are immigrating to Canada.
- After landing, we heard the golden words "Welcome to Canada, Welcome Home" and given a printed document with instruction for mandatory quarantine. We had to provide our destination address and phone number.
- The immigration officer was very polite, took our CoPR+Passport, and asked for the address where PR Card needs to be sent. He also asked about our quarantine plan. We mentioned, we will be taking uber straight to XYZ hotel and will be ordering grocery and food using online Apps, etc.
- Next at the customs, We were asked for Goods to follow list (They didn't check or ask for Goods at arrival list). They added the final sum of all items on GTF list and provided the receipt with $0 tax for all the items on the list ( Make sure to collect the receipt before leaving the customs)
- At hotel, we received the same instructions and remained indoors for 14 days. We received multiple calls from the Government of Canada to ensure our stay/quarantine.

Flight back to USA (expired H1B but valid I-94) on (7/12/2020):
- We reached 5 hours early to the airport to allow airline staff to figure out AVR and issue boarding pass. The lady behind the counter was calm and was on the call with the helpdesk for 45 mins to complete our check-in and issued us boarding pass.
- Next at CBP, everything was quick and smooth, they asked for I797/I-94, passport and employment verification letter. They asked below questions:
-Where are you coming from?
-Where are you heading to the USA?
- How long you stayed in Canada?
Once answered the questions, they stamped the passport and allowed us to go to the gate.

Feel free to IM me if you have any questions.

Big thanks to this forum and @raxx.cater for all the information and help.

Did you have to mention AVR to the CBP officer or that your visa is expired?

 

[harirajmohan]

Did you have to mention AVR to the CBP officer or that your visa is expired?

Dont mention anything - not all officers will take it well to be informed about their internal processes. AVR process is not for the traveler to follow/inform. Dont worry, the officer knows about it, if not at the maximum he/she would call their internal office to clarify how to handle the case - No case rejected just because there was some untrained officer at post. So just hand over your passport and answer for the questions asked, you should be good.

 

[Roshwarner]

Dont mention anything - not all officers will take it well to be informed about their internal processes. AVR process is not for the traveler to follow/inform. Dont worry, the officer knows about it, if not at the maximum he/she would call their internal office to clarify how to handle the case - No case rejected just because there was some untrained officer at post. So just hand over your passport and answer for the questions asked, you should be good.

Great thank you!

 

[kp549]

Did you have to mention AVR to the CBP officer or that your visa is expired?

Nope, they would check the visa and if it's expired they will look at I797. we didn't mention anything just gave them passport and i-797

 

[harirajmohan]

No new visa for H1 still as per my understanding based on today's additional update on yesterday's article by state.gov below. The tweet is more of H4 family members are now allowed to apply for visa while H1 has valid visa as of June 24.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html

Ok, does that mean if someone's H1 is expiring soon, they can travel and get stamped?

Yes they can get it stamped, as per recent clarification from state dept. State dept is issuing clarification everyday and its giving me headache.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1285307548103573507

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1284205275751354368

 

[im2gaurav]

Great thank you!

hi,

can you share your experience at the Pearson airport Canada while returning to USA?

 

[Aliya45]

Here is my experience.
We landed by road at the Lewiston–Queenston bridge, stayed in quarantine for 14 days and then came back using the Peace bridge using AVR.
1) You can land if your COPR was approved after March 18th and you are traveling from the U.S.
2) You can enter the U.S back using AVR without any issues. It is not affected by the new E.O.

 

[harirajmohan]

They made these clarifications after threats of multiple lawsuits, especially the ones using the family separation angle.

Correct but still they can get around the system by asking consulates not to open. So they can still play and make it hard to get visa if they cant ban completely.

 

[orco13]

Anyone here from the US with an expired COPR ? I wish to learn what steps you plan on taking when you are ready to travel ? Any insights on extending the COPR validity ?

 

[harirajmohan]

Yeah, plus there are multiple Covid bans in place.

Yes and my worry is that its not yet over hence weekly some or the other issue coming up.
The other worst case scenario is that if he gets reelected. Seems less and less chances for legal and illegal immigrants. I am trying to get my family's H4 but its becoming hard every day. Will see what happens in Nov.

 

[harirajmohan]

Anyone here from the US with an expired COPR ? I wish to learn what steps you plan on taking when you are ready to travel ? Any insights on extending the COPR validity ?

Try here:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/coprs-with-approval-after-march-18-and-soon-to-expire-counterfoils-entering-canada.691134/page-2
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/copr-extension-response-from-ircc-copr-granted-before-18th-march-travel-from-us.691708/page-2

 

[harirajmohan]

Even if he doesn't get reelected, the three months between Nov and Jan will be hell and not only in terms of immigration. If anything, Covid is still around, schools are planning to reopen between August and November, and doubled with flu season in the winter...

We were not planning for this year stamping after covid situation but drump is complicating things with dec deadline. Hoping that he doesnt issue new EO that bans H4 completely.
Yes, true things might get worse. Hopefully some cure gets identified. Will see.
At least in windsor, school kids have option for online learning hence one less headache for me.

 

[spider87]

Yes they can get it stamped, as per recent clarification from state dept. State dept is issuing clarification everyday and its giving me headache.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1285307548103573507

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1284205275751354368

Does this also apply to folks with valid visa but were outside the country on July 24th?

 

[harirajmohan]

Does this also apply to folks with valid visa but were outside the country on July 24th?

No it does affect people with valid visas. They can travel.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html
The Proclamation does not apply to those who were in the United States on the effective date of the Proclamation (June 24), and who had a valid visa in the classifications mentioned above (and plans to enter the United States on that visa) or who had another official travel document valid on the effective date of the Proclamation.