Visit USA without activating visa

[Trason 3]

Hi all!! Finally getting my CR-1 visa in the mail in the next few days just in time for a bunch of weddings that I will be attending in the US this summer. I have been reading that once you have your visa, once your cross the border your PR is activated. Is there any way I can still cross the border and not activate my permanent residency until I am ready to move to the US? I need to wrap up a few things at my job first and give notice and this would not likely happen until September. Has anyone gone through a similar issue and run into problems?

TIA!

[aleful 1,905]

hi

no, it will be activated, but you can return to your country, no problem

when you do customs they will stamp a temporary visa i551 valid for 1 year until you get the physical GC, so you can use that to return to your country and return in September

[Cathi 5,610]

no

[Lemonslice 4,553]

I know Canadians have done in the past, but it really depends on the border agent admitting you, so I would not count on it.

[NikLR 13,220]

K1 have been allowed but I have yet to see a CR1 not activate because it turns into a temporary green card right away.

[Lemonslice 4,553]

I remember a few stories - one for sure travelled with his Nexus Card as he did weekly, chatted and declared he got his visa but would activate it later. I'll try to find the link.

Since one can turn around and come back to Canada the same day easily, the only reasons that would make me even want to try to discuss it at the border would be weird taxes situation, having many kids and $$$ in child benefits or losing my Health care coverage.

[Dualie 185]

I remember a few stories - one for sure travelled with his Nexus Card as he did weekly, chatted and declared he got his visa but would activate it later. I'll try to find the link.

Since one can turn around and come back to Canada the same day easily, the only reasons that would make me even want to try to discuss it at the border would be weird taxes situation, having many kids and $$$ in child benefits or losing my Health care coverage

As NLR said, with CR1 you have a temporary greencard in your passport. Once you cross the border they will activate it, but as with all crossings it is at the discretion of the CBP officer you are dealing with. And as the above poster stated, once you are activated, you are officially a resident...and no longer a resident of Canada. I just went through all this with my bank and grounding my leased car. Believe me, you want to have all your ducks in a row before you activate that visa, especially if you live far from the border.

[Trason 3]

As NLR said, with CR1 you have a temporary greencard in your passport. Once you cross the border they will activate it, but as with all crossings it is at the discretion of the CBP officer you are dealing with. And as the above poster stated, once you are activated, you are officially a resident...and no longer a resident of Canada. I just went through all this with my bank and grounding my leased car. Believe me, you want to have all your ducks in a row before you activate that visa, especially if you live far from the border.

Oh dear, that's what I was worried about. I was hoping to have some time to figure out my car and bank before i left. If my temporary greencard is activated will I still be able to work in Canada? Or does that mean my SIN card doesn't work anymore..

Stressful! Thank you!

[NikLR 13,220]

Yes you can work. Many LPR live in border towns and commute to work in Canada. You have a year to import your car and you can keep Canadian bank accounts too.

The main difference is that you don't have health care You'll want to find some temporary insurance until you move for good.

[Trason 3]

Yes you can work. Many LPR live in border towns and commute to work in Canada. You have a year to import your car and you can keep Canadian bank accounts too.

The main difference is that you don't have health care You'll want to find some temporary insurance until you move for good.

Whew. Thanks NLR. I can still use my work insurance so that should be ok!

Thank youuu!!

[NikLR 13,220]

Check and make sure the insurance isnt based on being a resident. When you activate the visa, you're officially a non-resident.

[Mk/Mk 0]

I emailed the CBP border crossing around Blaine Washington and they said that I could visit the US under the canadian visitor status with an approved K1- Visa in my passport. I also emailed an immigration lawyer and they said that I should be able to do so as well. However, I haven't tried it yet, and when I do, I will advise the CBP officer that I have one in my passport, and that I won't activate it until October...

[NikLR 13,220]

K1 don't generally have an issue, because it's a one time use visa. IR1/CR1 are a bit different because they get a green card upon entry.