Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[AmericaninQuebec]

I called RIV this morning, and the woman on the phone said that I can get my recall letter done after importation (I'd have 45 days to do it). That's good to know.

I also called the US Border Services at Derby Line, where I'll be crossing. The gentleman there informed me that not only do I have to show up, as you said, with my car, original title, two copies 72 business hours in advance (and only between the hours of 8 am and 4pm, M-F), but I have to leave my car in the U.S. for those 72 hrs.

I'm not certain now when I will be able to do this, because I have engagements and appointments that I need my car for during the week. I don't even know the local bus routes, and I really am not looking forward to having to stand out in the cold. :-\

Do I have to import my vehicle when I land, or can I officially import it at a later date? If I don't have to import it right away then I think I'll go ahead and have my husband drive us to the border in his car so that I can land, and then make plans to deal with all of this red tape after the holidays.

Yes, I dropped my original title (no liens) off in person, driving the car, along with a copy of my registration and then returned 3 days later (maybe 75 hours - smile) to pick things up. I then proceeded to the Canadian side and went through the rest of the import process there. The big issue with landing is timing the required 72 hour "wait period" - this might mess up your flagpole plans because you do have to give them the docs in person on the U.S. side and have the car with you.

I obtained my recall letter from a dealership just before I dropped off the documents. This can be a pain to get depending on what make of car you have, but the dealer can write a letter on their letterhead for you if you ask very nicely.

Finally, you will have to go through two inspections in Quebec once the car comes through. The first is at a place such as Canadian Tire - this is for the basics, takes maybe 10 minutes, and is not a big deal at all. The second is done at Societe de l'assurance automobile, takes hours (you leave the car with an appointment usually) and can be a nightmare. They will find everything that's wrong or about to be wrong on your car and give you a form with things to be fixed. If you pass, you get your Certificate De Verification Mechanique.

Then you go to register the vehicle / get plates, etc.

Insurance comes next, etc.

It is not a particularly fun process if there is anything that needs attention on your car. I believe you have 45 days after import to get through it.

I hope this helps!

 

[Calgary-Bound]

I called RIV this morning, and the woman on the phone said that I can get my recall letter done after importation (I'd have 45 days to do it). That's good to know.

I also called the US Border Services at Derby Line, where I'll be crossing. The gentleman there informed me that not only do I have to show up, as you said, with my car, original title, two copies 72 business hours in advance (and only between the hours of 8 am and 4pm, M-F), but I have to leave my car in the U.S. for those 72 hrs.

I'm not certain now when I will be able to do this, because I have engagements and appointments that I need my car for during the week. I don't even know the local bus routes, and I really am not looking forward to having to stand out in the cold. :-\

Do I have to import my vehicle when I land, or can I officially import it at a later date? If I don't have to import it right away then I think I'll go ahead and have my husband drive us to the border in his car so that I can land, and then make plans to deal with all of this red tape after the holidays.

Is all borders different because I was told for the the border in Alberta the vehicle didnt have to be in the US for 72 hrs.All they wanted was the paperwork 72 hrs in advance.

 

[AmericaninQuebec]

Is all borders different because I was told for the the border in Alberta the vehicle didnt have to be in the US for 72 hrs.All they wanted was the paperwork 72 hrs in advance.

I don't know, but I definitely asked him multiple times if I had heard correctly. He was like, "we don't care where you leave it, but it physically has to be in the U.S. during that period of time."

It really puts a cramp in things, since I'm already in QC, and figured I could take half an hour, go to the border to give them my documents, go back in a few days and land with everything. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to do this. Plus, he kept saying it was 72 business hours. That's 9 business days if they only work 8 hrs a day.

AtHomeInMontreal, what border crossing did you use to import your car? Derby Line/Stanstead or the one near Plattsburgh? Did they give you your stamp after 3 days or 9 days? Did they make you keep your car in the U.S. while they were doing the paperwork? If it's less time at the crossing near Plattsburgh then maybe we'll make plans to do it over there. :-\

 

[pmary]

Besides Eddy070 am I the oldest app still waiting?

Yes , I am also waiting :

 

[ddobro2]

Glad we knocked out four people this week. No PPRs today though?

 

[AtHomeInMontreal]

I don't know, but I definitely asked him multiple times if I had heard correctly. He was like, "we don't care where you leave it, but it physically has to be in the U.S. during that period of time."

AtHomeInMontreal, what border crossing did you use to import your car? Derby Line/Stanstead or the one near Plattsburgh? Did they give you your stamp after 3 days or 9 days? Did they make you keep your car in the U.S. while they were doing the paperwork? If it's less time at the crossing near Plattsburgh then maybe we'll make plans to do it over there. :-\

Hi AmericaninQuebec,

Sorry for the delay, I missed your reply.

I went up to Vermont at Highgate (I-89) and was told that the car had to be in the U.S. for at least 72 hours while they did their thing. I returned after ~75 hours and then entered Canada. They were very clear about the 72-hour requirement and that's more-or-less what they say in the regs so I think you are looking for an exception rather than the rule.

 

[GetUsHome]

Also waiting.

Yes , I am also waiting :

 

[ddobro2]

Great, I added you. Hopefully, it's the same info in e-cas.

Now that I have an application in process, it would be great to be added to the spreadsheet.

Application Sent: September 23, 2011
Application Received: September 26, 2011
File Opened: December 08, 2011
Sponsor Approved: December 09, 2011
File Transferred: December 09, 2011

These dates are according to the CIC telephone "expert" I talked to this morning.

Thanks!

 

[AllisonVSC]

Hi AmericaninQuebec,

Sorry for the delay, I missed your reply.

I went up to Vermont at Highgate (I-89) and was told that the car had to be in the U.S. for at least 72 hours while they did their thing. I returned after ~75 hours and then entered Canada. They were very clear about the 72-hour requirement and that's more-or-less what they say in the regs so I think you are looking for an exception rather than the rule.

I did import/export at Queenston/Lewiston. There you can fax your documents 72 hours in advance, they did not require the car remain in the states for that period (nor did the ask where the car was prior to exportation).

And, I can find no statement in the regulations that requires the vehicle to be in the US for 72 hours prior to export.

See link to the regulations for export here http://customs.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/export_docs/motor_vehicle.xml.

I would call Queenston/Lewiston and ask them about the hold period (maybe a couple other export offices too) to get a sense of how this is enforced and whether it is required! Then I would call the border office you intend to use again, share the info you've acquired and ask (politely of course) to point specifically to the section of the regulation where this is required. It would help if you are very familiar with the wording of the regs as well!

Read, in particular 192.2 part C, number 2 requires only the documentation to be presented 72 hours prior to export if the vehicle is under it's own power. The vehicle is only required to be present AT the time of exportation. If they can not point to it in the regs (and it is not followed at other export offices) I would then politely ask how they could hold you accountable for something that is not specifically required by the regulations.

 

[Stumpedmom]

I did import/export at Queenston/Lewiston. There you can fax your documents 72 hours in advance, they did not require the car remain in the states for that period (nor did the ask where the car was prior to exportation).

And, I can find no statement in the regulations that requires the vehicle to be in the US for 72 hours prior to export.

See link to the regulations for export here http://customs.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/export_docs/motor_vehicle.xml.

I would call Queenston/Lewiston and ask them about the hold period (maybe a couple other export offices too) to get a sense of how this is enforced and whether it is required! Then I would call the border office you intend to use again, share the info you've acquired and ask (politely of course) to point specifically to the section of the regulation where this is required. It would help if you are very familiar with the wording of the regs as well!

Read, in particular 192.2 part C, number 2 requires only the documentation to be presented 72 hours prior to export if the vehicle is under it's own power. The vehicle is only required to be present AT the time of exportation. If they can not point to it in the regs (and it is not followed at other export offices) I would then politely ask how they could hold you accountable for something that is not specifically required by the regulations.

I too called, Detroit, Marine City and Port Huron (all in Michigan) as well as the 3 Canadian borders about the 72 hour rule. I was told by all officers, that they could care less where the car was, as long as they had the paperwork 72 hours in advance (not business hours) so 3 days. I would call and verify with another officer at the border to clarify the requirement of 72 hours and whether it is business hours there or just 3 days. You may have had a new officer or one that was in a pissy mood that day...

 

[pcdmontreal]

Hi there, just a little updated on my file. We've got an e-cas update today saying :"We started processing XXXXXXX's application on December 7, 2011".
Although I knew we were in process since July after an enquiry to Buffalo, it feels good to see it on e-cas too. Hopefully the end is near, I think it's a good sign !

 

[can_usa_97]

I had no issue at all crossing at Port Huron./Sarnia with our vehicles. My husband did a month before me with one and I with the other and a HUGE uhaul full of things. I had faxed before, the one weeks before, and the other was 6 days before.

 

[veronica.law]

I have a question, how do you know your file is transferred to Buffalo? I can't see it on e-cas.
cic received my app. on August10 and Sponsorship approved on October24.

What I can see on e-cas is Application received on the Permanent Residence Application Status is We received XXXXXXXXX's application for permanent residence on August 9, 2011.

Medical results have been received. ( SHOWS THE SAME DAY THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED MY APP AT MISSISSAUGA)

Is that mean my file has been transferred to Buffalo?
P.S. i was using the new Barcode form IMM0008

 

[Bargeld]

The no more passport submissions for visa-exempt countries thing has made it to one of the "news" pages of the law firm that maintains this forum - Cambell Cohen - http://www.canadavisa.com/news/entry/some-no-longer-must-submit-passports-once-granted-permanent-residence.html. I guess they probably don't know we're not seeing this in practice at Buffalo.

Beautiful, one less bureaucratic hoop to jump through is always a good thing.

If I don't post again in the busy upcoming weeks to congratulate people on their PPR's, Merry Christmas as well! I'm still cheering for your PPR before Christmas, ddobro2.

 

[eeeeeeeelectric]

Haha. Ecas tracker update #4 re medicals received.