Okay to enter US through Canada with i-551?

[sipoftea 0]

We just got the visa an IR1! Finally it is nearly over! Now, I'd like to know if my husband can go enter the US through Canada without having to get a Canadian visa. We had to get one when we entered on the k-3, but I'm thinking maybe since we've been granted permanent residency this time we won't? Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

Nikki and Nasi

Edited July 28, 2006 by sipoftea

[Dina 0]

Congratulations!

His US visa is meaningless in Canada, so if you mean for him to stop in Canada for more than a layover the answer is certainly no. For a layover, I am not sure.

Edited July 28, 2006 by Dina

[raymaga 25]

I'm not familiar with "visitor visas" to Canada, but would you normally require one to enter Canada from Nigeria?

If so, then I doubt the I-551 will do any good because they probably won't recognize it.

You could go onto the Canadian border website and see what they have for ID requirements.

Good luck.

[zyggy 9]

Actually, permanent residents of the US can visit Canada without a visa.

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence.

From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

Edited July 28, 2006 by zyggy

[Dina 0]

Actually, permanent residents of the US can visit Canada without a visa.

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence.

From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

He will not have that documentation until after he is in the U.S. as I understand it.

[kofuku 0]

Actually, permanent residents of the US can visit Canada without a visa.

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence.

From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

He will not have that documentation until after he is in the U.S. as I understand it.

That is correct. The visa is not "activated" until it has a US POE date stamped. Therefore, he will not be a permanent resident BEFORE he enters the US.

Edited July 28, 2006 by kofuku

[sipoftea 0]

Thanks for your helpful replies. We were thinking Canada might be cheaper from the UK but we've found alterative and much cheaper flights than that. Thanks, and oops about the i-551, guess we'll have it soon anyway!

Actually, permanent residents of the US can visit Canada without a visa.

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence.

From http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

He will not have that documentation until after he is in the U.S. as I understand it.

That is correct. The visa is not "activated" until it has a US POE date stamped. Therefore, he will not be a permanent resident BEFORE he enters the US.