Traveling to the US from Canada with a valid Canadian Post Graduate Work Permit

[persianguy]

Hi everybody ,

I am traveling to the US from Montreal with a valid Post Graduate Work Permit which will expire in 3 years ,

I've got a B1/B2 visa for a conference which I couldn't make it (I have a study permit which expires at the end of this month and I am planning to enter the US right at the same day)

I am worried about the officer in the airport and the possibility that she/he won't be convinced about my ties back to Canada,

My work permit is a Post Graduate Work Permit and I am planning to stay in the US for 4-5 months to visit before starting my job, Is it possible that they issue me a visa less than 6 months or even worse reject me ?

Any experience ? I don't have a job offer letter (I am going to start my job right at the center where I did my master's) nor a lease contract ! Do they ask for such documents at the border ?


Thanks

 

[SenoritaBella]

Re: Traveling to the US from with a valid Canadian Post Graduate Work Permit

Do you already have a US visa or are you planning to apply for one? I don't believe you can apply for US visa at the border, so you may want to look into applying for it(US embassy) before your trip.

Entering the US the same day your study permit expires and not having current employment is likely going to raise suspicion. For a visa officer, you have finished school and may not have much to compel you to return to Canada at this point. You may want to consider the following:

1. if you have not graduated yet, get some proof to show your date of graduation. If you will attend the ceremony and your family will attend and have proof, this is also evidence that you will come back.

2. get a job offer letter - it's definite proof of stronger ties to Canada. ** Is there a reason the job isn't starting right away? Perhaps consider explaining that.

3. take copies of your most recent T4 slip and notice of assessment. This will help show you have worked before and have established ties in Canada.

4. have proof adequate funds - bank statements, etc. If you will be staying in a hotel for 4 - 5 months, you are going to need at least $5000 - $10,000. If you are staying with family and they will be providing accommodation and daily expenses(food, travel, etc), get them to write an invitation letter stating same. **

5. have a itinerary of places you plan to visit and if possible, some evidence of having made arrangements e.g. if you will take tours, receipts of having booked/paid for them.

6. be truthful about your plans if asked, and only provide information asked.

Not sure if you know this, but you can re-enter Canada using only your valid study/work permit as long as you only travelled to the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon islands. If you travel to another country onward, you need a TRV(temporary resident visa) to re-enter Canada.

On a different note:
Anytime you are offered a job(even if it's for the same employer but different position), make it a point to ask for the offer in writing. It should state your start date, stop date(if applicable), salary, benefits, etc. This is important not only for visas but for your own best interest as well.

The problem with verbal job offers is you(the employee) will left in limbo if something were to happen and the employer could no longer offer you the job. You will have no proof that the job was ever offered to you in the first place.

 

[persianguy]

Re: Traveling to the US with a valid Canadian Post Graduate Work Permit

Hi,

Thanks for your comprehensive reply,

Actually I've got the US visa, I applied for it few months ago for a conference but I received it after the event , now I decided to go to a road trip before starting my job in December , I talked to my supervisor whom I worked with for 2 years (as a graduate student) and I am going to work there as a Research Assistant, they are reluctant to issue me an official job offer letter. They usually don't do that !
I have got the bank statement and the the Canada's TRV , I've been here as a student and I received awards therefore I guess T4 tax slip is not going to be very much helpful.

 

[skinnybob]

You should easily be able to get a letter showing that you have been offerred a job, any company of even little reputation should be able to provide that. And even if you dont get a letter, camly explaining to the border officer that you are workign with company "X" and start on date -"Y" will do it. The fact that you are entering Canada from the USA also eases things for you. You dont have to worry at all. My wife crossed by land between canada and USA many many times on a PGWP and did not even have a job. Each time she just mentioned that she was in the process of applying for a job. In this case you already have a job so you are good.

 

[persianguy]

Great , such a relief ! I have only heard bad news in the past few days
And one another thing , the expiration date on the Visa only shows the date that I can enter the US not the date that I can stay there ,right ? the second one is specified at the border , right ?