Same day return after border crossing and immigration visa activation

[NGJ 31]

Hello,

We are in Ontario, Canada and expecting to get family immigration in next two months. After the interview and once we receive passports back with visa stamps- can we drive across the border to activate the immigration visa and return to ON the same day to pick up our stuff from the storage (via Uhaul) and re-enter the US same or next day? 

I am looking for feedback from anyone on this Forum who has done something similar. Is this allowed or did you have any problems at the border? Thanks.

[Ontarkie 14,228]

It is allowed, but if you're planning on bringing your stuff over later that day it might be easier to do it all at once. 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

23 hours ago, NGJ said:

Hello,

We are in Ontario, Canada and expecting to get family immigration in next two months. After the interview and once we receive passports back with visa stamps- can we drive across the border to activate the immigration visa and return to ON the same day to pick up our stuff from the storage (via Uhaul) and re-enter the US same or next day? 

I am looking for feedback from anyone on this Forum who has done something similar. Is this allowed or did you have any problems at the border? Thanks.

Yep, it's fine to do. Once your IV is stamped it serves as a de facto Green Card for 1 year, which allows you to re-enter without difficulty.

[Dawgydawgworld 20]

On 7/5/2022 at 3:05 PM, NGJ said:

Hello,

We are in Ontario, Canada and expecting to get family immigration in next two months. After the interview and once we receive passports back with visa stamps- can we drive across the border to activate the immigration visa and return to ON the same day to pick up our stuff from the storage (via Uhaul) and re-enter the US same or next day? 

I am looking for feedback from anyone on this Forum who has done something similar. Is this allowed or did you have any problems at the border? Thanks.

You could do this yes, however why not just activate the visa when you cross with the uhaul? Otherwise you will have to spend some time inside immigration twice in same day, which border agents may be annoyed with. First, the time spent going over paperwork and activating visa, then again the agents going over your uhaul load and possible detailed inspection. 

[JlovesA 109]

I lived on the border when I emigrated, so I went over one evening to endorse the visa, turned back around, then moved the next day. I had no issues doing that at all. I also returned a few more times over the next week to bring in the last bits of my possessions.

Edited July 8, 2022 by JlovesA
added info