Canadian Permanent Resident Wanting to visit USA

[noway123456 1]

Hi,

My brother-in-law who is a Canadian permanent resident would like to visit the US. He would just be coming here to visit his family. I know he has to apply for a B2 visa, but can someone explain the steps for me?

Would we have to file from here as petitioners, or can he do the entire process from the Vancouver Embassy?

Also, what types of documents would he need? Ex: Passport, permanent resident card.

If anyone could list out the process step by step I would greatly appreciate it.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

No, you don't petition. If he's a Canadian perm resident he books his trip, goes through USCIS like the rest of us and gets approval or denial. You can't petition for him to visit. Not would an invitation letter do any good. I would make sure that he has ample proof of his ties to canada just in case.

Sorry to add, he does not go to the embassy. He will need his passport and PR card.

[noway123456 1]

Thabks for your reply!!

Sorry, if he does not go through the embassy how does he get to USCIS? Just the online application?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

You get to USCIS through your port of entry when you take your trip. Chances are he will be fine unless previous legal issues or overstay has happened. There's no way to know before hand. If he's flying out of Vancouver international they have prescreen at the airport before you board.

[noway123456 1]

Oh wow, thanks I never knew that. So all he does is book a flight, go to the airport and pay for the visa?

[zuluweta 250]

Canadian permanent residents need a visa to visit the USA unless they're a citizen of a visa waiver country. Check out the following link for the process a Cuban citizen with permanent residency in Canada had to undergo to obtain a US visit visa:

http://www.yanniel.info/2011/10/us-visitor-visa-for-canadian-residents.html

[Transborderwife 4,666]

You don't pay for the visa. A b2 is free.

[jan22 3,056]

I believe there are some posts with incorrect information in this post. What citizenship does your brother-in-law hold? I don't know from your log-in information, but is your spouse from Afghanistan? And, therefore, so is your brother-in-law? If so -- or if he has a passport from any country other than one that is eligible for Visa Waiver entry if that is not his citizenship -- he cannot just show up and present himself to USCIS at the port of entry. He must first apply for and be issued a visitor's visa from either the US Embassy in Ottawa or from one of the U.S. Consulates in Canada. And, while technically the visa itself is usually free (some countries have a visa issuance fee because their country charge US citizens for visas), there is an application fee of $160.

You can check out information about visitor visas at the Embassy websute (http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/visas.html). It also has links to the consulates, if one of those is closer to where your brother is living.

[Torete 121]

I believe there are some posts with incorrect information in this post. What citizenship does your brother-in-law hold? I don't know from your log-in information, but is your spouse from Afghanistan? And, therefore, so is your brother-in-law? If so -- or if he has a passport from any country other than one that is eligible for Visa Waiver entry if that is not his citizenship -- he cannot just show up and present himself to USCIS at the port of entry. He must first apply for and be issued a visitor's visa from either the US Embassy in Ottawa or from one of the U.S. Consulates in Canada. And, while technically the visa itself is usually free (some countries have a visa issuance fee because their country charge US citizens for visas), there is an application fee of $160.

You can check out information about visitor visas at the Embassy websute (http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/visas.html). It also has links to the consulates, if one of those is closer to where your brother is living.

Second this.

1/ You're correct, the application fee is $160 USD.

2/ Upon entering the US through a port of entry, one encounters a Customs and Border Protection (Immigration Officer - Department of Homeland Security employee) not USCIS.

[Boiler 45,522]

Without knowing his Nationality it is impossible to comment.

[XXXYYYZZZ 20]

You don't pay for the visa. A b2 is free.

Dude!!!! most of the info you supplied is wrong.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I travelled with a PR driving across the border and that's how try did it so I can only go by that.

[noway123456 1]

Hi everyone, he is an Afghan citizen. And thank you for all your help! I will tell him to make an appointment and then fill out the form