Nexus with CR-1

[jedinite 0]

I wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with the Nexus pass with a US Permanent Resident Visa like the CR-1?

I am in the final phase of the visa process and I am working contract in Canada, once I get my interview date I will be applying for jobs in the US but I don't know what the outcome is going to be this close to the end of the year since it's usually a slow season for hiring. I expect that I'll receive my visa by Dec time-frame, which is perhaps the worst hiring season for professionals as it's right after US Thanksgiving and before the Christmas Holidays. Usually Jan is pretty slow too since people are getting back to work and no one does any serious consideration until Feb.

Anyways, I plan on working in Canada and returning to the US every weekend, and I was wondering if I should apply for a Nexus pass or if this will complicate matters with my CR-1. I know the first 2 years are conditional and that I should try to establish work in the US as soon as possible, but realistically this means I will probably getting a job State-side in the spring (Q4 is always bad for hiring). I don't live/work in a border city so it's impossible for me to drive across the border to my US home every night, and I'm not rich so I can't fly to and from work/home everyday either. The best I can do is fly back on the weekends.

I posted a question similar to this before but I didn't ask about Nexus pass so if anyone has any insight on this matter that would be great. Best if luck to you all if you're waiting on your visa too.

[Carlawarla 1]

Here's a similar thread from Feb 2008.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=111287

[sly_wolf 199]

Interesting option. It sounds like you can still apply for this after the CR1 is approved and you are a US PR?

Sly

[LindaB 0]

I had my Nexus card before I started my CR1 process and used it during the process. When I got my CR1 visa, I went to the Nexus office and updated my information there. I now used it every day coming home from work in Canada. (about once a week the border patrol guy asks me my status and wants to see my PR card). I love my Nexus card!

[EandL 0]

I work in Canada, live in the US. I use my Nexus pass to cross into Canada, usually stay with my parents for a few nights while I am working, and then drive home for the weekend. I applied for the Nexus card after my CR-1 was activated and my PR card had arrived. (I thought it would be easier this way, but I have no basis for thinking that.) The only thing they told me was that when my conditions are removed, I must go to the Nexus office and show them my 10 year greencard. Most of the time crossing is seamless, but sometimes I get asked about my status. Good luck with your visa and Nexus application.

[jedinite 0]

I work in Canada, live in the US. I use my Nexus pass to cross into Canada, usually stay with my parents for a few nights while I am working, and then drive home for the weekend. I applied for the Nexus card after my CR-1 was activated and my PR card had arrived. (I thought it would be easier this way, but I have no basis for thinking that.) The only thing they told me was that when my conditions are removed, I must go to the Nexus office and show them my 10 year greencard. Most of the time crossing is seamless, but sometimes I get asked about my status. Good luck with your visa and Nexus application.

What do you reply when you get asked about your status. Since I'm a contractor I don't know if working in Canada but being a declared US PR will cause me any issues. I had to incorporate for my current job and though I don't mind traveling back and forth on the weekends I just don't want to run into any problems before my conditions are removed from my conditional PR card.

Could you provide any insights as it seems like you have the closest situation to my own. I will be living with my wife in Los Angeles but commuting to Calgary for work during the week. I'll stay at my parents while working up here, and travel back on the weekends.

What do I tell Canadian Customs when I enter Canada and what do I tell US Customs when returning to the US? I don't expect my work situation to be permanent, only for as long as it takes me to find an equivalent position in the US. I'm afraid to ask the customs people or the embassy during my interview because I don't want them to not issue me a visa or revoke entry. Since, I'm the "bread-winner" of the family, it's quite important that I am able to earn income, my wife's income is more supplemental more than anything else. Thanks for the input.

[Flames9_RN 358]

There are a few VJ members that even after the visa process (cr-1/ir-1) still work in Canada, one is even a Cdn border agent,lol But I belive they return to Canada the majority of the time. I would think if you spent the majority of time in Canada,that would lead to problems. I know for the naturalization paperwork, you have to jot down all days (24 hr or more) that u were outside of the USA

[jedinite 0]

There are a few VJ members that even after the visa process (cr-1/ir-1) still work in Canada, one is even a Cdn border agent,lol But I belive they return to Canada the majority of the time. I would think if you spent the majority of time in Canada,that would lead to problems. I know for the naturalization paperwork, you have to jot down all days (24 hr or more) that u were outside of the USA

So say for the first 3 months I was outside of the US 80% of the time, but after that I was in the US 95% of the time. Would that greatly affect my being able to remove the conditions after 2 years?

[EandL 0]

I agree with Flames9 that you could run into some problems with the US for being out the US for so long. I usually stay 3 days or less in Canada. My parents in Canada live only 40 minutes from my residence in the US. Calgary to LA is a much longer distance and they may have a problem believing that you actually live in LA. The US border officials have never given me a hard time about working in Canada. When they ask about my status, I tell them I am a Permanent Resident. The Canadians are very easy to deal with. I just tell them I live in the US, work in Canada. I am sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[sly_wolf 199]

I would think that since this is temporary and you also say it is temporary perhaps they will have much less of an issue.

Also having a business in the US rather than Canada can also only help.

Sly

[m3lody 0]

I had my Nexus card before I started my CR1 process and used it during the process. When I got my CR1 visa, I went to the Nexus office and updated my information there. I now used it every day coming home from work in Canada. (about once a week the border patrol guy asks me my status and wants to see my PR card). I love my Nexus card!

I'm very new on this site (1st post... woohooo!)

I'm looking for the answer about the NEXUS pass in conjunction with a pending I-130.

I have a Nexus pass now and I'm getting married this December '08 (I'm in Vancouver and fiance in Washington). We plan to send in the I-130 application in January '09. I thought that I'm not allowed to go into the US during the I-130 process? But it sounds like LindaB, you went in and out of the US without a problem with your nexus pass.

My question is... is that legal? Did you manage to do that because they didn't catch on, or is that really allowed?

I just don't want to try this and then find out later that by doing so I'm abandoning my application and have to start all over again.

Advice please, anyone?

[sly_wolf 199]

I had my Nexus card before I started my CR1 process and used it during the process. When I got my CR1 visa, I went to the Nexus office and updated my information there. I now used it every day coming home from work in Canada. (about once a week the border patrol guy asks me my status and wants to see my PR card). I love my Nexus card!

I'm very new on this site (1st post... woohooo!)

I'm looking for the answer about the NEXUS pass in conjunction with a pending I-130.

I have a Nexus pass now and I'm getting married this December '08 (I'm in Vancouver and fiance in Washington). We plan to send in the I-130 application in January '09. I thought that I'm not allowed to go into the US during the I-130 process? But it sounds like LindaB, you went in and out of the US without a problem with your nexus pass.

My question is... is that legal? Did you manage to do that because they didn't catch on, or is that really allowed?

I just don't want to try this and then find out later that by doing so I'm abandoning my application and have to start all over again.

Advice please, anyone?

There is nothing illegal about visiting during the process. Just bring proof of your ties to Canada.

Sly

[Flames9_RN 358]

I had my Nexus card before I started my CR1 process and used it during the process. When I got my CR1 visa, I went to the Nexus office and updated my information there. I now used it every day coming home from work in Canada. (about once a week the border patrol guy asks me my status and wants to see my PR card). I love my Nexus card!

I'm very new on this site (1st post... woohooo!)

I'm looking for the answer about the NEXUS pass in conjunction with a pending I-130.

I have a Nexus pass now and I'm getting married this December '08 (I'm in Vancouver and fiance in Washington). We plan to send in the I-130 application in January '09. I thought that I'm not allowed to go into the US during the I-130 process? But it sounds like LindaB, you went in and out of the US without a problem with your nexus pass.

My question is... is that legal? Did you manage to do that because they didn't catch on, or is that really allowed?

I just don't want to try this and then find out later that by doing so I'm abandoning my application and have to start all over again.

Advice please, anyone?

many Cdns visit while the process is ongoing. Majority don't have any problems, but some do get denied entry. My free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5)pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

Best of luck