Travel to Montreal Exipired GC - My Experience

[parixit 0]

I just wanted to give my account of traveling across the border (by car) to Montreal on an expired GC.

I've been looking at numerous threads about fellow VJ'er s asking about traveling on an expired GC. I have to say I was bit worried leaving for the trip. Questions where swirling around in my head. Should I setup an info pass and get a stamp?

My wife was driving once we reached the Canadian border (she speaks french) and I have to say it went really smooth. We spent a whole 2 mins speaking with the officer whom we've given my passport and her GC. He didn't even ask for the extension letter. I don't even think he realized her GC was expired.

On the return trip home I drove and dealt with the the US officer. I gave him my passport and my wife's GC. I also had the expired letter in my hand and handed it to the officer. He knew right away that it was the extension letter and asked if we had an interview. I explained to him that we haven't even received an update from USCIS after we took our bio. He seemed surprised and I let me know we filed back in July.

The officer handed back the documents and said have a nice trip back.

If anyone is worried about traveling to our Canadian friends don't worry!! It is a smooth ride!

[Jo&Si 9]

Thank you so much for sharing!

I'm leaving monday to visit my family.

I am going by plane but we are planing a trip this summer and we will be driving and my GC will be expired.

I never give my GC when I enter Canada, just my passport, should I show them my GC too?

Thanks again!

Have a great week end

Jo

[parixit 0]

The reason my wife shows her green card is because is a native of India. They need a visa to enter Canada so we have to show her GC.

Thanks! Enjoy the weekend as well!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Glad you had an easy time!

Jo, you only need to show your GC if the Canadian side asks. I've travelled back several times and was never asked until my most recent trip. I handed her the GC after she already had my passport and told her it was expired. Her answer was something like "oh it doesn't matter" I asked if she wanted the extension letter and she said no. I asked why she wanted to see the GC and she said it was to make sure I can get back into the US... I found that odd!

[Jo&Si 9]

Hi Hugglebuggles and parixit,

I was wondering...

I have been traveling back and forth to QC Canada because my parents need me... I got a lot of questions when I reenter USA, like why I was in Canada, why I have been so long in Canada, why I am not working yet,...Some officers are more rude than others but usually when I explained the situation of my parents they let me go.

Thanks for your help! It's very appreciated!

Have a great week end!

Jo

[visacheck 3]

To the OP:

Why was your extension letter expired?

[parixit 0]

Hi Jo,

We have gotten some of those questions as well. Why were you in Canada? How long were you there for? Are you bringing back anything from Canada? I am thinking it's part of there process. We haven't had a rude officer to tell you the truth. Fairly smooth!

[Jo&Si 9]

Yes I agree that it's part of the process but for me some asked more...and very rudely like why I was not working yet, why I have stayed so long in Canada,...this one was intimidating, he was acting upset like I was a pest or something. He threw my passport and GC on the counter and say ok you can go...