Moving car and goods to US, passport visa stamp CR1

[baby74 6]

Hi guys

I'm waiting for my interview date and begin to plan my move to US. I live in Montreal and moving to Florida.

My first plan was to drive to Lorton (VA) and take the auto-train there. But seems like the auto-train doesn't accept any pet, not even my 5 pounds dog in a carrier.

I don't feel like driving 24 hours + to move to Florida. So, I decided to pay for movers for move my goods and also to get the service of someone driving my car to US (via uship).

Meanwhile, I'll fly with my dog to go to Florida.

My concerns/questions are :

I'm 1,5 hour from the border/customs, Am I better first to go there just to "activate/check" my visa and after customs will stamp my passport? So it might be easier for the moving company and for the guy who will move my car to FL.

Do the movers need the "visa stamp" in my passport before they move my car and goods ? If the stamp isn't there, because I took my flight to US few hours before and the moving company didn't have it , do it'll be a problem ? Maybe the customs just check on their computer and see that the visa been activate few hours ago at the airport.

I would be easier for me if the movers don't need me to pass the border/customs because they will have previously all my papers.

It's not clear for me how to process with the visa and moving company for the logistic of everything.

Thanks for your help.

[oncefuturealien 45]

Use a mover that knows how to do this, and it will make your life easier.

They need the proof of your crossing before they can take your goods over; they'll tell you the forms you need to fill out, and then I think you can send a picture or scan of your activated visa to the movers as soon as you cross. If you officially did your POE a few days ahead of time that might make things easier, but just remember that that date is your official change of residency from Canadian to US, and there may be other ramifications (health/car insurance etc.)

(We sent our stuff under my USC husband's crossing, since we weren't sure when my visa would actually be issued and we had to get out of our house in Vancouver! so my situation was a little different.)

[baby74 6]

Thanks a lot.

So, The 3 options for me would be:

1- to pass the border with the movers (together) but in separate car/truck, to activate my package with visa

2- Or go to the border alone by myself, few days before moving, to activate the visa so the movers will have all documents to move my stuff to US.

3- Or to fly to FL few days before, to activate my visa at the airport, and send the documents to the movers before they leave Canada

Right ? I'll need to figure out what is the best option for me.

[oncefuturealien 45]

As far as 3 goes, it doesn't have to be a few days before, it can be the day before (depending what the mover is comfortable with/when the truck will be headed south: our truck didn't leave until 3-4 days after they picked up our stuff as they were filling up the rest of the truck). I think it's just a bit easier and less stressful if you're not frantically trying to send it on when you're running to your plane with your pet!

For 1, if it's a big commercial mover they probably will bring your stuff through commercial truck crossing rather than the regular passenger car crossing, so you might not be able to cross *with* your goods. I guess that depends on who your movers are.

Good luck to you

[NikLR 13,227]

Option 2 and 3 are better

[baby74 6]

I'll probably go to the customs before the movers cross the border to activate my visa. It seems to be better and easier this way.

Thanks guys for your help and guidance.

[NikLR 13,227]

I would import your car at that time as well.

[baby74 6]

Hi NikLT

Yes, I'll import my car at the same time as my goods.

For now, I'm still waiting for my interview letter so I could start to plan that move.

Thanks for your help

[NikLR 13,227]

The moving company may not be able to import your car for you. Cars are a lot more detailed than boxes. I suggest importing your car if you do the advance poe, and save the moving company and yourself some hassle. Also make sure you have everything for importing the car like the compliance letter and proof of ownership (aka no lien on the car.)

[lilsweetie 32]

I'm in agreement with everyone else - I would definitely do POE before the movers so you don't hold up the whole moving truck thing while getting the POE stamp and fingerprints done etc.

[baby74 6]

Thanks lilsweetie