First border crossing with IR-1 Visa

[marisp 0]

I have read other people's experiences in regards to border crossing and POE, and hope to be able to activate my visa to get the process started while we continue to wrap up our lives here in Canada in preparation for our official move.

I haven't come across anyone with a IR-1 that speaks of their experience, but let me lay out my tentative plan, and please tell me if I am going to encounter any difficulties:

1) I plan to cross the border and the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge (as i've heard its a friendly POE, and i'd like to avoid Port Huron/Sarnia) to go down to our new place, will bring a small amount of personal belongings (not everything), do some things around the house and run some errands. I plan to come back to Canada a few days later, and actually only import my vehicle and other personal belongings at a later date soon after, to be determined at this point.

2) Once I enter, I plan to tell them I am immigrating, and want to activate my visa, but will be returning soon to Canada to get more of my belongings, and prep a property for sale.

Should I have any trouble with the above? Is there anything I should know?

On my way back a few days later when I hit Canada Customs, where do I tell them I live? Do I now say my US address, and tell them I am finishing up my business in Canada, or do I say Canada, and tell them I am in the process of moving to the US?

Thanks in advance.

[trailmix 77]

Where is your U.S. citizen in this plan? Because you both still live in Canada - the U.S. citizen must establish domicile no later than the intending immigrant. Please don't try to use your visa without him/her there (in reading your other posts it's your wife that is the U.S. citizen correct?)

With that in mind, your plan looks ok - as for the question of where you live now - you live in the U.S. - once you use that visa and cross that border - you are a U.S. PR - it's imperative that you start thinking like that - because, for one, it is the truth and also there is that whole domicile issue involved.

[marisp 0]

Where is your U.S. citizen in this plan? Because you both still live in Canada - the U.S. citizen must establish domicile no later than the intending immigrant. Please don't try to use your visa without him/her there (in reading your other posts it's your wife that is the U.S. citizen correct?)

With that in mind, your plan looks ok - as for the question of where you live now - you live in the U.S. - once you use that visa and cross that border - you are a U.S. PR - it's imperative that you start thinking like that - because, for one, it is the truth and also there is that whole domicile issue involved.

Thanks for the quick reply. My wife (the US Citizen) would definitely cross with me. We would just be going for a few days, and returning. Upon returning, we both say we are now living in the US (just moved), and returning to a residence we have in Canada to tie up loose ends and continue the move? Does that make sense to say?

[trailmix 77]

Thanks for the quick reply. My wife (the US Citizen) would definitely cross with me. We would just be going for a few days, and returning. Upon returning, we both say we are now living in the US (just moved), and returning to a residence we have in Canada to tie up loose ends and continue the move? Does that make sense to say?

It is the truth and is perfect

[marisp 0]

Thanks! Called Queenston/Lewiston bridge as well to confirm with an officer...(phew)

Edited April 16, 2010 by marisp

[raymaga 25]

Good luck with your move as well as the last details in Canada!!!

[marisp 0]

Good luck with your move as well as the last details in Canada!!!

Thanks! Still have a lot to do in terms of tying up loose ends. Need to get my SSN to get things like insurance started, hence the reason for this thread.

[sdw 10]

I activated my CR1 stayed the weekend in the US, then returned to Canada. Moved everything a week later and had no issue at the Queenston

[marisp 0]

I activated my CR1 stayed the weekend in the US, then returned to Canada. Moved everything a week later and had no issue at the Queenston

I'm actually starting to get more concerned about re-entry to Canada. I feel like i'm going to get more questions coming back! I presume you said you live at your US address when you re-entered? How long did you say you were staying, or did you simply explain your in the process of moving?

[OBX 51]

I'm actually starting to get more concerned about re-entry to Canada. I feel like i'm going to get more questions coming back! I presume you said you live at your US address when you re-entered? How long did you say you were staying, or did you simply explain your in the process of moving?

I activated my visa and then returned to Canada a week and half later. I still had my house sale to close, the majority of my belongings and pets to move. I re-entered Canada at the Peace Bridge and had absolutely no issues. I was asked where I was going. I said I was in the process of moving to the US, had to close my house sale and move my belongings. The officer just smiled and said "You're going in the wrong direction" and I was on my way. I was not asked how long I was staying or any other details. Good luck.

Edited April 16, 2010 by OBX

[Pauley 2]

Thanks! Still have a lot to do in terms of tying up loose ends. Need to get my SSN to get things like insurance started, hence the reason for this thread.

My wife did the same thing, for the same reasons. I got her Social Security card in the mail this week, about a week and a half after her POE -- count us on the side of the fence where the DS-230's SSN checkbox worked. :-P

[sdw 10]

Said I was in the process of moving. Didn't have any problems.