Entry into US on daily basis for job on H1-B Visa
Hello Friends,
I am a recent immigrant who recd my PR card a month back..

I have an H1-B visa and have been given an offer to work in the US and commute daily to a home across the border on the Canadian side to preserve my PR status.

I was exploring renting an apartment in a border town on the Canadian side and commuting daily to work on the US side..(to Buffalo or any another nearby city).

My job is sales in the North Eastern part of the USA..and my employer prefers that I be based in 'Up-State New York State' or anywhere else in the North East ern US .

Request inputs on the following 3 questions to determine the viability of the offer....

1) Can one travel across the rainbow bridge in Niagara or any other nearby NE border post on a daily basis with a vaild I-94 to work in the USA and return home after work in the evenings to the family on the Canadian side with a valid PR card.

2) If the answer to the above questions is yes, are there any recommended towns on the Canadian side where one can live with a family and any recomended towns on the US side where I can lease an executive suite to work for my US based employer..

3) If this is possible then can one commute to and fro utilising my then Canada registered vehicle in both of these border towns and also if neccesary drive this vehicle in the US on the Canadian drivers license with the Canadian plates for work.

Am really looking forward to you sharing comments, suggestions and experiences..

thanks &
Best Wishes
aashan



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aashan

Request inputs on the following 3 questions to determine the viability of the offer....

1) Can one travel across the rainbow bridge in Niagara or any other nearby NE border post on a daily basis with a vaild I-94 to work in the USA and return home after work in the evenings to the family on the Canadian side with a valid PR card.

Under 30 days autovalidation rule POE officers won't take your I94 if you commute daily from any Canadian border town.Even they take out once a while you should be able to get a new one based on your valid H1B visa.So as lond as your H1B visa is not expired you shouldn't have any worry about your I94 card.
After introduction of PR card Canadian POE officers might swap your PR card everytime you cross the border but as long as you are returing back and sleep at your Canadian residence your Canadian residency will be counted.

2) If the answer to the above questions is yes, are there any recommended towns on the Canadian side where one can live with a family and any recomended towns on the US side where I can lease an executive suite to work for my US based employer..

Depend on your work area. Buffello - Niagra is a good route from east coast side.Similarly Windsor- Detroit and Vancuver-Seatelle are other populare routes for Mid and western part.

3) If this is possible then can one commute to and fro utilising my then Canada registered vehicle in both of these border towns and also if neccesary drive this vehicle in the US on the Canadian drivers license with the Canadian plates for work.

If you are returning back everyday evening there shouldn't be any problem in driving in US with a Canadian plated car.But better to check out this MTO and also you car insuarance company


This is my personal opinion.
You may check out following to know more about issues crossing the border.
http://www.immigrationportal.com/forumdisplay.php?f=179

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ani

1.)Yes you can work and travel 2 and fro. I and lot of my friends does the same thing, its not at all a hassle. If you are a regular traveller crossinn border with Canadian Registration, there is no hassle as such.

2.)I live in Detroit Windsor border. I live in Windsor close to the Tunnel.

3.)Yes Canadian registration make it easy to travel. Currently I moved away from Detroit and I still drive my car with Canadian Registration and Insurance that is valid throughout North America. I still have my Aptmt in Windsor.

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S20

Ani70 and Mahender20 , appreciate your prompt feedback, anyone out there with daily rainbow bridge crossing experiences...

Thanks
aashan

As you are talking about New York, make sure your Auto Insurance is valid there.

I know when I travelled to US with RENTED car ... I was told that it is not valid in NY City and Philadelphia . But that was with Rented Car.

I think, you are still on PR ... otherwise there is an option of TN Visa also.

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