Traveling to Canada after Visa is Endorsed

[coa24 69]

Curious if this is allowed, even if you do not have the actual Green Card on hand at the time of travel? I noticed the visa serves as a temporary green card until the real one is issued.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Yes. You can enter for the first time and then turn around and leave the same day, if you so wish. 

 

Anything you can do on a normal green card you can do with an endorsed immigrant visa for up to one year from PoE. That includes employment and international travel from day one. 

[coa24 69]

Quite nice. Different from when you come on a k-1. Glad we don't have to go through that again.

[JFH 12,189]

1 minute ago, coa24 said:

Quite nice. Different from when you come on a k-1. Glad we don't have to go through that again.

Indeed! It’s one of the reasons I didn’t do a K-1 and why the popularity of the K-1 still surprises me. 

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*moved from “IR-1/CR-1 spouse visa process and procedures” to “working and traveling” - question about traveling with an I-551 stamp*~*~*

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

On 5/10/2019 at 1:34 AM, coa24 said:

Curious if this is allowed, even if you do not have the actual Green Card on hand at the time of travel? I noticed the visa serves as a temporary green card until the real one is issued.

Are you just talking about using your temp green card for re-entry to the US, or also in lieu of a visa for Canada? 

[coa24 69]

@SusieQQQ That is correct. Using the temporary green card/endorsed immigration visa as the means to enter into Canada after USA entry to visit friends and family.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

45 minutes ago, coa24 said:

@SusieQQQ That is correct. Using the temporary green card/endorsed immigration visa as the means to enter into Canada after USA entry to visit friends and family.

Ok. I suggest you confirm on a Canadian border site that they are happy to accept that as an i551 before you travel. While all forms of i551 are valid for re-entry into the US and anything else you need a green card for domestically, they are not always all acceptable in other countries that use green cards for visa waivers. I suspect it’s probably ok for Canada - but I’d certainly check first, especially if you’re flying.

Edited May 15, 2019 by SusieQQQ

[Mike E 11,723]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=593&top=16

 

Quote

 

As a U.S. Green Card holder, you do not need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. However, you are expected to have an eTA if you plan to fly to or transit through Canada.

When flying to Canada, you will need to present:

• proof of status in the U.S. (such as a valid Green Card), and
• your valid passport that you used to apply for your eTA.

The border services officer will verify your eTA when you arrive in Canada.

When travelling by land or sea directly from the U.S., you will only need to provide proof of your U.S. lawful permanent resident status (such as your Green Card).

 

 

If English is not your first language, then note that "such as a valid Green Card" can be interpreted as saying that other I-551 documents are ok.

 

If the airline boards you, then you should be fine.

 

But be aware that in the summer time, Canada likes to hire university kids to staff passport control, and they are generally clueless (e.g. when presented a birth certificate from Alberta,  the CBSA's summer intern asked me if I was a Canadian citizen).  

 

If you can, pick the line with CBSA officer with the greyest hair. They've seen it all.

 

And pick an airport that has USA pre-clearance (most flights to the USA have it). If CBSA has any questions about your stamp, it can easily get a hold of CBP to ask.

Edited May 15, 2019 by Mike E