Canadian Citizen Allowed to Revisit Canada on Green Card?

[__caitlin 2]

I realize this is probably an obvious question, but I just want to be 100% sure.

My husband (who is a Canadian citizen) and I (a US citizen) are currently trying to go through the CR1 process for him to live in the United States. To my understanding, he's supposed to come out of this process as a green card resident as soon as he enters the US on his approved visa.

Will he then be able to travel back for visits to Canada, while living/working in the US under this status?

I want to make sure because I need to know to what extent he will be able to go back and visit his family members during his first couple years in the states. Will there be any issue if he is visiting Canada semi-frequently (again, living/working in the states)?

[newlyweds2010 208]

No issues whatsoever. We live in the so called "free world", and this entails that you can travel back to your home country any time you like. As a matter of fact Canadian authorities won't even care about his GC, they will only be interested in seeing his passport. No stress.

[NikLR 13,220]

He can visit as long as he spends more time in the USA than out. Thats the benefit of the CR1 visa vs the K1. It's cheaper overall and you can travel immediately and work within a few weeks.

[Jawaree 717]

Definitely, he's free to come and go

[Teddy B 17,251]

I realize this is probably an obvious question, but I just want to be 100% sure.

My husband (who is a Canadian citizen) and I (a US citizen) are currently trying to go through the CR1 process for him to live in the United States. To my understanding, he's supposed to come out of this process as a green card resident as soon as he enters the US on his approved visa.

Will he then be able to travel back for visits to Canada, while living/working in the US under this status?

I want to make sure because I need to know to what extent he will be able to go back and visit his family members during his first couple years in the states. Will there be any issue if he is visiting Canada semi-frequently (again, living/working in the states)?

He can come and go as he pleases. He's a Canadian citizen so they cannot refuse him entry into Canada, and as long as he has his gc with him, he should have no problems upon re-entry into the states. My wife always gives her greencard and passport at all border crossings/poe's, that way the POE officer knows the deal and doesn't think she is still living in Canada. It's not required, but does help things go a bit more smoothly.

[__caitlin 2]

Thank you so much! That helps a lot.

[Ms Hogan 295]

No issues whatsoever. We live in the so called "free world", and this entails that you can travel back to your home country any time you like. As a matter of fact Canadian authorities won't even care about his GC, they will only be interested in seeing his passport. No stress.

Actually... this past weekend when I crossed back to Canada the guard insisted on seeing our green cards as well as our passports. He wanted proof that we had status in the U.S. I guess.

[newlyweds2010 208]

Actually... this past weekend when I crossed back to Canada the guard insisted on seeing our green cards as well as our passports. He wanted proof that we had status in the U.S. I guess.

How would he even know that you have a green card?

[Ms Hogan 295]

How would he even know that you have a green card?

When you cross the border between Canada and the U.S. the first question is "What's your citizenship?" and the next question almost always is "Where do you live?" so from there... when you state you live in the U.S. they will ask what your status is there which leads to stating that you are a permanent resident which obviously means green card. This weekend the guard decided he wanted to see our cards which I presented to him. But beyond that, our passports also have our visas in them which clearly show we have status in the U.S. and would have a green card. I was surprised when he wanted to see them but he did. They also ask how long you've been away, what you're bringing with you etc. etc.

There is a lot of communication between Canada and the U.S. since we share the longest unprotected border in the world

I hope this answers your question.

For the original poster, it does't matter, they can still come and go but I just wanted to clarify and add to your response.

[Teddy B 17,251]

When you cross the border between Canada and the U.S. the first question is "What's your citizenship?" and the next question almost always is "Where do you live?" so from there... when you state you live in the U.S. they will ask what your status is there which leads to stating that you are a permanent resident which obviously means green card. This weekend the guard decided he wanted to see our cards which I presented to him. But beyond that, our passports also have our visas in them which clearly show we have status in the U.S. and would have a green card. I was surprised when he wanted to see them but he did. They also ask how long you've been away, what you're bringing with you etc. etc.

There is a lot of communication between Canada and the U.S. since we share the longest unprotected border in the world

I hope this answers your question.

For the original poster, it does't matter, they can still come and go but I just wanted to clarify and add to your response.

Yup, that's exactly why we give the POE officers my wife's gc every time no matter which country we're going into. Border crossings can be awkward, anything one can do to minimize that is a plus.

[hikergirl 277]

I do have a question for you guys that relates to the OPs question.

For naturalization and removal of conditions, do we need to track our time out of the US? And if so is it exact dates outside that are required?

Just trying to think ahead because if it’s needed I’ll have a spreadsheet and proof tracking binder so I’m not scrambling in the future.

[Teddy B 17,251]

I do have a question for you guys that relates to the OPs question.

For naturalization and removal of conditions, do we need to track our time out of the US? And if so is it exact dates outside that are required?

Just trying to think ahead because if it’s needed I’ll have a spreadsheet and proof tracking binder so I’m not scrambling in the future.

How much time outside of the US are you planning on? Aren't you going to be residing in the US? I believe you still need to be spending more time in the US than outside of the US in order to maintain residency here. I think that goes for anyone, even the USC.

[hikergirl 277]

How much time outside of the US are you planning on? Aren't you going to be residing in the US? I believe you still need to be spending more time in the US than outside of the US in order to maintain residency here. I think that goes for anyone, even the USC.

I was looking at the Naturalization worksheet and it said something about spending at least 18 months of the 3 years in the US. I am only planning vacations (and not long ones) but I was wondering if we were required to show proof of time outside and have all the exact dates for that.

[VeeNDee 44]

How much time outside of the US are you planning on? Aren't you going to be residing in the US? I believe you still need to be spending more time in the US than outside of the US in order to maintain residency here. I think that goes for anyone, even the USC.

This has me a bit worried too. It's not how MUCH time outside of the US, but more like how OFTEN for me. We live pretty near my parents, just a 2 hour drive + border, so will probably visit over weekends more often. Over a period of years that is going to add up. I will definitely need a spreadsheet if they want exact dates. As it is, I am already having trouble remembering the dates from last month we visited!

[Teddy B 17,251]

I was looking at the Naturalization worksheet and it said something about spending at least 18 months of the 3 years in the US. I am only planning vacations (and not long ones) but I was wondering if we were required to show proof of time outside and have all the exact dates for that.

At least 18 months of 3 years (36 mos) equals at least 50%, so that fits with spending more time in the US than out, that is usually a requirement for residency anywhere. I've never heard of any proof being asked for other than proof of residency, ie: a US address, a job and bills in yours and your spouses name. I haven't looked at the nauralization papers yet, so I'm not exactly sure about that. We're going to be doing ROC in December.