Crossing USA border for the first time after receiving Visa but not officially moving at the time

[KateChurchill 0]

I have spent hours searching this site and have found varied scenarios (from many years time) in regard to new Visa holders crossing into the USA before officially moving so any current, helpful feedback is much appreciated:

 

  My husband's IR1 Visa was issued Sept. 13, 2017.  Our home in the USA won't be ready for move-in until Nov. 1, 2017. 

     - Can he cross the border (driving his personal car) into the US before his official move (I've seen varying stories in this site)? 

     - If he does cross before the move, should he use the Nexus line as usual? Typically, our passports aren't even asked for whilst using Nexus. Thus, just proceed like this is a normal, long weekend visit?  Or, should he say that he would like to have his Visa endorsed but that this is only a 4 day visit and that the move will happen in a few weeks?

     - Since he will be driving his car, will he have to import it at that time? If so, what all will he need to have prepared for that (proof of ins, registration, etc remain in the car at all times)? Does he need official proof it's been proven checked out/serviced/road-worthy?

     - When importing the car, does the POE need to be notified in advance?

     - Detroit's Ambassador Bridge is where we always cross.

     - Should he pay the Green Card fee asap?

 

Thank you!

     

     

[caliliving 606]

He can not "move" before the visa but he can "visit" so therefore he is visiting you and then he will go back and once he gets his visa he can move and bring a car full of . I don't suggest doing that before as if raises more questions. Also after he gets his visa then he imports the car and pays the fees. Yes having a nexus card he won't be asked too many questions but a car full of will get him into secondary. 

[broppy 204]

17 minutes ago, KateChurchill said:

I have spent hours searching this site and have found varied scenarios (from many years time) in regard to new Visa holders crossing into the USA before officially moving so any current, helpful feedback is much appreciated:

 

  My husband's IR1 Visa was issued Sept. 13, 2017.  Our home in the USA won't be ready for move-in until Nov. 1, 2017. 

     - Can he cross the border (driving his personal car) into the US before his official move (I've seen varying stories in this site)? 

     - If he does cross before the move, should he use the Nexus line as usual? Typically, our passports aren't even asked for whilst using Nexus. Thus, just proceed like this is a normal, long weekend visit?  Or, should he say that he would like to have his Visa endorsed but that this is only a 4 day visit and that the move will happen in a few weeks?

It's absolutely no problem to cross the border and activate his IR-1 (which turns it into a temporary green card), then turn around a few days later and go back to visit Canada before finally moving south. Activating the visa earlier will start the clock ticking for the production of the actual green card and trigger the SSA to issue a social security number if you checked that box on DS-260.

 

17 minutes ago, KateChurchill said:

     - Since he will be driving his car, will he have to import it at that time? If so, what all will he need to have prepared for that (proof of ins, registration, etc remain in the car at all times)? Does he need official proof it's been proven checked out/serviced/road-worthy?

A lot depends on the car and where/when it was made. If it already has US EPA and FMVSS stickers, you're good to go. Otherwise, you'll want to try to get a letter of compliance from the manufacturer that states the vehicle meets all necessary EPA/FMVSS regulations (I know Toyota will do this, but apparently, some manufacturers don't or really obfuscate the process). If it doesn't meet the necessary regulations (not having TPMS is a common problem - it's required in the US, but not in Canada), you're probably stuck with going through a registered importer to make the necessary adjustments - or give up and sell the car in Canada.

 

17 minutes ago, KateChurchill said:

     - When importing the car, does the POE need to be notified in advance?

Nope. You can just fill out the paperwork while they're processing the visa.

17 minutes ago, KateChurchill said:

     - Should he pay the Green Card fee asap?

Yes - preferably before activating the visa to allow green card production to start as soon as possible.

 

[NikLR 13,227]

No he should not use the NEXUS line.  He will need to go into secondary. 

 He can bring his visa packet and tell them he is activating his visa. 

 

Just be aware he loses health benefits when he activates his visa so temporary health insurance in Canada may be a good idea for the week. 

 

 

[JlovesA 109]

Hello Kate!

 

I was in this exact scenario in the spring. I received my CR-1 visa in February but I couldn't move until April. I was crossing in Windsor as well, albeit at the tunnel.

 

I continued to visit my husband on weekends as normal with my Nexus card. Sometimes I was asked why I was still living in Canada. Prior to receiving the visa, I would tell them I was in the process of receiving my visa and they accepted that answer no problem. After I did receive it, I think I had told them once or twice, "I have my visa at home but I'm not ready to move yet." Zero issues.

 

He does not need to import it when he's still visiting. I personally imported mine when I endorsed the visa. Assuming your husband has the compliance letter and there are no compliance issues, importing his car should be a breeze. In my experience, all I needed was the compliance letter and the VIN. No need to notify anyone in advance.

 

 I paid my green card fee a couple weeks before moving. The actual green card took about 6 weeks to arrive in the mail once I did move.

 

Also just to clarify on what others said above, he should not use his Nexus card when he does endorse the visa. He should use the regular line, present his passport and tell them he's endorsing an IR-1 visa. When visiting, leave the passport and paperwork at home and use Nexus as normal.

Edited October 1, 2017 by JlovesA

[KateChurchill 0]

2 hours ago, JlovesA said:

Hello Kate!

 

I was in this exact scenario in the spring. I received my CR-1 visa in February but I couldn't move until April. I was crossing in Windsor as well, albeit at the tunnel.

 

I continued to visit my husband on weekends as normal with my Nexus card. Sometimes I was asked why I was still living in Canada. Prior to receiving the visa, I would tell them I was in the process of receiving my visa and they accepted that answer no problem. After I did receive it, I think I had told them once or twice, "I have my visa at home but I'm not ready to move yet." Zero issues.

 

He does not need to import it when he's still visiting. I personally imported mine when I endorsed the visa. Assuming your husband has the compliance letter and there are no compliance issues, importing his car should be a breeze. In my experience, all I needed was the compliance letter and the VIN. No need to notify anyone in advance.

 

 I paid my green card fee a couple weeks before moving. The actual green card took about 6 weeks to arrive in the mail once I did move.

 

Also just to clarify on what others said above, he should not use his Nexus card when he does endorse the visa. He should use the regular line, present his passport and tell them he's endorsing an IR-1 visa. When visiting, leave the passport and paperwork at home and use Nexus as normal.

Thank you so much! I appreciate hearing your experiences, VERY helpful!

 

I, an American citizen, became a Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada one year ago. I have an OHIP health card (health ins).  My husband and I both completed the immigration processes in one another's countries so that we would be able to come and go as needed; both our parents have a terminal illness which is our priority. I truly hope our OHIP is not terminated by a move such as this. We still own property in Toronto and would like to keep most everything the same but spend the majority of our time in the US. His job is in technology, based in Toronto, and he will be working remotely. I see on the CAN government's site that I will continue to accumulate days while outside CAN to keep my PR status active as long as I'm traveling with my spouse. 

[Ontarkie 14,230]

14 hours ago, KateChurchill said:

Thank you so much! I appreciate hearing your experiences, VERY helpful!

 

I, an American citizen, became a Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada one year ago. I have an OHIP health card (health ins).  My husband and I both completed the immigration processes in one another's countries so that we would be able to come and go as needed; both our parents have a terminal illness which is our priority. I truly hope our OHIP is not terminated by a move such as this. We still own property in Toronto and would like to keep most everything the same but spend the majority of our time in the US. His job is in technology, based in Toronto, and he will be working remotely. I see on the CAN government's site that I will continue to accumulate days while outside CAN to keep my PR status active as long as I'm traveling with my spouse. 

This is how to keep your PR status only for Canada.

 

 

You cannot keep OHIP once you move to the US. They will find out if you use it and will go after to you for repayment. They are cracking down on ppl who use it and are no longer residents of Canada. You cannot be a resident in Canada and be a resident in the US. DO NOT USE OHIP  ( not yelling here just trying to make it clear) after the move. Your husband also needs to be taxed as a non resident with his job. If you use the Canadian health care or he gets taxed as a Canadian resident he will be showing the US he is not a US resident and they will revoke his GC. 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2017 by Ontarkie

[KateChurchill 0]

You all have been so helpful, THANK YOU! Just as you said, his visit down went just fine, no issues. 

 

One last question, we are back in Toronto, finishing packing for the big move to the US next week.  My spouse will be driving a large U-haul truck and I will be driving his small SUV (which is registered in Ontario, has ON plates).  He does not want to import the SUV.  That being said, should we cross separately?  I would use the Nexus line as usual and then wait somewhere in Detroit as he is stopped going through the process of visa endorsement.  Or, is it ok for us to stay in the same regular border line and cross one right after the other and then join him through the endorsement process?  Would the car have to be imported at that time or would it be overlooked, or are we aloud to say that we don't want to import it at this time? 

 

Thanks again for your wise expertise. 

Edited October 28, 2017 by KateChurchill

[NikLR 13,227]

Why are you not importing the car at that time?

[KateChurchill 0]

2 hours ago, NikLR said:

Why are you not importing the car at that time?

Hi NikLR,

We will frequently be traveling back & forth between countries and keeping a home in ON so we don’t think importing the car is necessary. 

[NikLR 13,227]

1 hour ago, KateChurchill said:

Hi NikLR,

We will frequently be traveling back & forth between countries and keeping a home in ON so we don’t think importing the car is necessary. 

You'll want to inquire with your insurance obviously if they feel that a non-resident can have car insurance.  

[Lemonslice 4,859]

1 hour ago, KateChurchill said:

Hi NikLR,

We will frequently be traveling back & forth between countries and keeping a home in ON so we don’t think importing the car is necessary. 

Did you verify how long your insurance will be valid out of territory as a non resident? 

 

ETA: missed NikLR's last post. Same question 

Edited October 28, 2017 by Lemonslice