Border crossing at Queenston-Lewiston Bridge

[Toronto88 5]

Hi everyone. I have my IR-1/CR-1 visa in hand and next step is border crossing. I live in Toronto and I do not have a car. I am not actually moving to US for another few months but want to get the border crossing done so that I can get the physical green card sooner. My plan is to bus to Niagara Bus Terminal and cab to Lewiston/Queenston Bridge from there and walk across the bridge to do the entry to US. Once completed, I plan to bus back to Toronto on same day. Do you expect I would encounter any problems with this? Could the border agent deny me entry since I plan to return to Canada immediately after and do the real move with all my belongings a few of months later. Appreciate any assistance on this. Thank you! 

[f f 725]

just tell the boarder officer what you plan to do and if he says you should wait to cross just take a bus back and if it is fine cross and convert your cr1 to a greencard and have a nice trip.

 

I wouldn't expect any problems but it is odd to enter and leave same day. mabye make a weekend of it with your spouse there so there is a reason besides to get the greencard sooner for you to cross.

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

Once you enter the US with a CR-1 visa, they will endorse it, ""Upon Endorsement Serve as Temporary I-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence ."

That then serves as your green card until the actual plastic one arrives about 3 or 4 weeks later......Congratulations!!!

(I assumed you were concerned with returning to US)

Edited September 21, 2017 by missileman

[Toronto88 5]

Thank you @f f and @missileman! Much appreciated. 

@missileman - To clarify, I meant if there would be any issues with getting the CR-1 visa endorsed since I would only be visiting the US for a day and not actually moving there until another few months. Also, you mentioned 3 to 4 weeks until the plastic green card arrives. Do you know if I can give a Canadian address for the plastic green card to be sent to or they only accept US addresses? Furthermore, does it always take 3 to 4 weeks or does it depend on the season/number of applicants, is there any way to check current processing time? Thank you for your help! 

 

[moemac59 192]

On 9/21/2017 at 6:04 PM, Toronto88 said:

Hi everyone. I have my IR-1/CR-1 visa in hand and next step is border crossing. I live in Toronto and I do not have a car. I am not actually moving to US for another few months but want to get the border crossing done so that I can get the physical green card sooner. My plan is to bus to Niagara Bus Terminal and cab to Lewiston/Queenston Bridge from there and walk across the bridge to do the entry to US. Once completed, I plan to bus back to Toronto on same day. Do you expect I would encounter any problems with this? Could the border agent deny me entry since I plan to return to Canada immediately after and do the real move with all my belongings a few of months later. Appreciate any assistance on this. Thank you! 

Hey Toronto88, did you mean cross at the Rainbow Bridge? You can't walk over the Lewiston/Queenston Bridge

[Toronto88 5]

Thank you @moemac59! I did not know that. Appreciate it  

[moemac59 192]

On ‎10‎/‎1‎/‎2017 at 4:27 PM, Toronto88 said:

Thank you @moemac59! I did not know that. Appreciate it  

You are welcome. The only bridge that you can walk over is the Rainbow Bridge. Essentially, you could get a bus to the Casino and cross the street and walk over the bridge, activate your visa and turn around and go back to Toronto in the same day