tom1

Okay, thanks. Now since we don't have a permanent address in the US yet, will a PO box work for delivery of the receipt (i.e. the critical document to leave the US after filing the I131)? I was planning on travelling to the US, file the form, stay there 2 weeks (doing a road-trip - traveling around) and then head back once I have the receipt document. I will be back for biometrics - I guess if I use a PO box they would go by where the PO box is located for that? Is that a plan that will work you think?

Hi all, As we need extra time to settle in the US after having obtained our GC in Feb 2024, I am in the process of filing an I-131 reentry permit for me and my family. Looking at the form it seems pretty straightforward. When looking at other sources (notably lawyer ones) it sounds a lot more daunting: Is this actually so i.e. that I need to provide ample evidence about our plans? Or is it sufficient to just submit the form along with a I-551 copy and the payment form?

Yes, hence why I like the option of the re-entry permit, as it will assume that we don't live in the anymore for the time being, thus avoiding any grilling at the border. As residents of the US you will not be eligible for Canadian health care anymore. That said, I'd rather pay and be able to get a doctor when I need one, than having to wait in the ER for 9 hours when my child has a cough.

Being in Canada its very easy to visit. We also like to do trips for vacation as a family. I travel to the US quite a bit for my Canadian employer. From what I am being told this can be counted as ties to the US too? We are 1 hour from the border so applying for the permit and staying for a bit thereafter wouldn't be an issue. From what I am told you can come back for the biometrics too. Yes. Although we are still waiting on the physical GC. There was a mess up at the port of entry and they didn't file the IV package properly. Yes, within a year from activation would be February 2025. This does not look feasible however, hence why we are looking at the re-entry option. We have a bank account but not filed taxes yet (will only be next year). I am concerned about the scrutiny one faces at the border about maintaining your ties each time you cross with your re-entry permit. Our case is a bit special, because we will still be traveling in and out of the US regularly but don't have our main dwelling there. Therefore, when asked at the border "where do you life", if you answer truthfully, it is still Canada at the moment. School is a personal issue in that we couldn't secure a spot at any of the christian schools we had our eye on for this fall. We will therefore have to try again for next year. Hence the urgency on finding a solution how to pull this off. Its always trickier when there is kids involved...

Hi all, Me and the family, wife and 3 kids live in Canada and got the green card in February this year (2024) but have not moved to the US yet for a number of reasons beyond our control (job, school etc). As we are slowly approaching the 1 year mark, we are looking at the option to apply for a re-entry permit to give us extra time to settle. Is this something a reentry permit can be used for? As per my understanding the permit is usually for people who have settled in the US and then have to travel for a longer period of time. Our situation is different, as we have not effectively lived in the US so far. Now I know that you need to demonstrate ties to the US when you file for the re-entry permit, but we unfortunately have nothing in the US so far (except a bank account). How will we demonstrate this, and what reason do we provide that we have to travel abroad? Is the re-entry permit in my situation something you would advise me to use a lawyer for, or is it pretty straight forward? Again, to emphasize, we travel to the US frequently, we just don't have any ties yet and need extra time to settle. Has anyone here used a permit for that purpose before? Thanks a lot, Tom