Entering at POE on IR1 and then coming back to Canada

[joetravelermary 0]

I've heard some people have had success entering at a POE to get their visa stamped and then returning back to Canada to wrap things up before moving all of their stuff.

 

I'm thinking about buying a refundable or cheap airline ticket for Toronto just to go through US customs and then cancelling the flight and coming back to Canada. Has anyone done this before? Should I just drive to a land border crossing instead to do this? Cost is not a factor but time is, so I'd rather go to the nearby airport rather than drive to and from Buffalo or Queenston/Lewiston. Thank you!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Are you planning on just going through preclearance in Toronto and then head on home without taking the flight to the US?  

 

[joetravelermary 0]

11 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

Are you planning on just going through preclearance in Toronto and then head on home without taking the flight to the US?  

 

Yes

[Dashinka 23,538]

If you go through a POE and get your IV stamped you are an LPR and you have proof.  Last I heard, Pearson has US CBP pre-clearance so once you pass that you are officially in the US, so I believe it would work.

 

Good Luck!

[NikLR 13,220]

How long after your activate your green card are you planning on actually moving?

[aaron2020 11,651]

I think you may have a few things to consider.

 

It's Preclearnce to board a flight to the US.  You've haven't actually entered the US, so you may have a problem.

Also, it's suspicious to check into a flight, go through preclearnce, and then miss the flight.  That may raise a red flag.  

You may want to call the Preclearnce office and check out your plan.  

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

Why do you want to do this? Why not just do it after you “wrap everything up” and actually move to the US? Is the visa about to expire?

[joetravelermary 0]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

How long after your activate your green card are you planning on actually moving?

Within 2 months

 

53 minutes ago, USS_Voyager said:

Why do you want to do this? Why not just do it after you “wrap everything up” and actually move to the US? Is the visa about to expire?

I need to get SSN to start working for my employer in the USA so I want to land to get the process started.

[NikLR 13,220]

1 hour ago, joetravelermary said:

Within 2 months

 

I need to get SSN to start working for my employer in the USA so I want to land to get the process started.

You can't wait 3 weeks to start working?

 

Just be aware of the pitfalls of not being a Canadian resident, especially with healthcare. 

[NikLR 13,220]

Also having gone through preclearance a few times, it's mostly a one way street. There are specific signs saying you cannot turn back or turn around.  Going to the land border would be a better choice than the wrath of airport security. 

[don_mar 18]

On 11/22/2019 at 7:10 PM, NikLR said:

You can't wait 3 weeks to start working?

 

Just be aware of the pitfalls of not being a Canadian resident, especially with healthcare. 

So once you have the green card, you are no longer considered a Canadian resident, even you still have job/house etc in Canada? That doesn't seem to make sense.

[ADW & JOP 146]

This post reminds me of the case of a Singaporean man who bought an airplane ticket to walk his wife to the gate and was arrested.

 

You should double-check the rules and regulations in Canada to be safe.

[Ontarkie 14,014]

21 hours ago, don_mar said:

So once you have the green card, you are no longer considered a Canadian resident, even you still have job/house etc in Canada? That doesn't seem to make sense.

When it comes to health care the minute you activate your visa you are no longer a resident of Canada and cannot use the health care system.

Also I don't remember what they call the baby bonus now days that is gone and and the GST/HST checks. I think they changed the name up if you got either of those they are done too. 

They do come after those that still cash those checks and have cracked down on with Health care claims. 

[Ontarkie 14,014]

Oh and if you are selling your house do it before you activate your visa or expect a tax hit.

[aaron2020 11,651]

22 hours ago, don_mar said:

So once you have the green card, you are no longer considered a Canadian resident, even you still have job/house etc in Canada? That doesn't seem to make sense.

It makes perfect sense.

A person can have only one primary resident.  It's either the US or Canada.  It can't be both.  Once a person activates a US green card and claims to be a US permanent resident and gains all the benefits of being a US permanent resident, then that person gives up his prior residence in Canada.