Cammabear

I am not able to work remotely, I am employed at a grocery store. When I began the process, my mother's health and mobility were different than they are now. We also live in Toronto and the province is in a healthcare catastrophe. I am leaving at a terrible time with regards to the situation here. I would put off moving by a few months but my husband needs shoulder surgery and I have to be there for him too. I wish I could have them both together in the same country. 
I am planning to get a drivers license in the US, I don't drive here though so I will need to go through lessons and whatever graduated licensing Iowa requires, then get a vehicle. I am moving to a very rural village where there is no transportation or businesses to even work at for that matter.
I would be getting travel insurance for the times I am in Canada as I realize that my OHIP would no longer be valid.
None of it is ideal. In hindsight having my husband immigrate to Canada would have been a better solution but this is where I'm at and I'm just trying to see what options are available and what is legal.  So much has changed within the past year.

Get a Re-Entry Permit and maintain ties to the US to show that you do not intend to abandon your US LPR status.  

Go take care of your mother.   

Be aware of the US tax return requirements on your Canadian income and that you can't receive provincial health benefits.  

~~MOved to the Canada forum, form Working and Traveling - as working in Canada and keeping US PR is done by many in the Canada forum.~~
 
 
Mod hat off
One thing to check is the exchange rate and tax rate if it will be worth it. As a non resident you will be taxed at a different rate. The extra benefits you pay for won't do you any good as they are supplemental type of benefits to the provincial health care. If you have Dental that one might be different as OHIP doesn't pay for dental.

The short answer is a 'yes', but with many 'buts' and caveats.
 
As a US PR holder you are required to do the following:
1. Maintain a principal residence in the US.
2. Maintain a fixed intent to return to the US for the entire duration of your absence.
3. File taxes as a resident alien.
4. Avoid protracted absences outside of the US,
 
Point one and two are where things get awkward, because CBP and IJ are able to use their judgement whether your actual principle residence is in the US and whether you maintained that fixed intent to return. Your actions in this case are far, far, louder than your words. And the totality of the circumstances will determine whether your situation constitutes abandonment.
 
So let's look at your hypothetical situations here.
Situation 1:
Your mother is unwell and you are acting as a primary caregiver, you anticipate the situation to resolve itself to where you can return to the US. During your time in Canada, your immediate family (i.e. spouse) remain in the US, you maintain a US address, driver's license, bank accounts and communities ties in the US. You file taxes as a US Resident Alien, and you are not enrolled in any Canadian provincial programs for provincial residents, you file your Canadian taxes as a deemed non-resident. You however take up temporary or casual employment during your time in Canada to assist with your caregiving duties to your mother.
 
Situation 2:
Your mother is unwell and you are acting as a primary caregiver, you do not anticipate the situation to resolve itself in any short time to where you can return to the US as your actual home. During your time in Canada, your immediate family (i.e. spouse) spends significant time with you in Canada to avoid the separation. You are enrolled in Provincial Healthcare, have a provincial driver's license and you file taxes with the CRA as a resident of Canada. You have a residence in the US, but you do not maintain financial ties, nor have any obligations that would necessitate you to return to the US in the immediate future. You take up permanent employment in Canada and are enrolled with employer benefits.
 
Situation 2 would therefore likely result in abandonment while Situation 1 would be much less likely to do so.
 
Therefore, the short answer is that yes, you can work in Canada. However, you will be at risk of being considered to have abandoned your status if your time in Canada does not appear temporary. And temporary vs permanent is determined to ties to the US vs ties to Canada, as well as the frequency and duration of absences from the US, and whether you have anything that would drag you back to the US.
 
A Re-Entry permit can help demonstrate that you did not intend to give up your permanent residence, however they are only valid for a maximum of two years, and if it appears you do not intend to make the US your permanent home, USCIS will deny future Re-Entry Permits. Additionally, if the evidence is overwhelming that you do not have the intention to make the US your permanent home, a re-entry might not offer you protection from a determination of abandonment.
 
Regardless of what your circumstances are, CBP cannot revoke your status at the border, only an Immigration Judge determining abandonment in removal proceedings can deprive you of your PR. CBP may pressure you to sign I-407 Record of Abandonment of Permanent Resident Status, however you are under no obligation to sign this form and are entitled to enter/work/live in the US until an IJ determines otherwise. CBP if thinking that you did abandon your status they may issue you a Notice to Appear and place you in removal proceedings to see the IJ.

Greetings,
 
I've been looking unsuccessfully for an answer to my question online, I figured someone here has either experienced this or knows.
I am moving to the US next month on an IR1 visa (interview was done and approved in February). My question is, am I able to return to Canada and work part time at my current job here? My employer is fine with this arrangement. I would ensure that I am not in Canada for longer than 6 months out of the calendar year. Where I am moving to is very rural and I do not have a drivers license or a vehicle, so working in the US is not an option for me at present. I am employed at a grocery store and will need to return frequently to Toronto to visit my mother. 
 
Thank you in advance for any advice.

I am not able to work remotely, I am employed at a grocery store. When I began the process, my mother's health and mobility were different than they are now. We also live in Toronto and the province is in a healthcare catastrophe. I am leaving at a terrible time with regards to the situation here. I would put off moving by a few months but my husband needs shoulder surgery and I have to be there for him too. I wish I could have them both together in the same country. 
I am planning to get a drivers license in the US, I don't drive here though so I will need to go through lessons and whatever graduated licensing Iowa requires, then get a vehicle. I am moving to a very rural village where there is no transportation or businesses to even work at for that matter.
I would be getting travel insurance for the times I am in Canada as I realize that my OHIP would no longer be valid.
None of it is ideal. In hindsight having my husband immigrate to Canada would have been a better solution but this is where I'm at and I'm just trying to see what options are available and what is legal.  So much has changed within the past year.

DQ June 1st, interview February 24th! What a pleasant surprise to wake up to that email! 

I received my passport back today! Less than a week from my interview (2/24/21)! Now I have until August 1st to cross the border and activate it!

I received my passport back today! Less than a week from my interview (2/24/21)! Now I have until August 1st to cross the border and activate it!

POE Update: My spouse and I crossed today at Peace Arch. Due to Covid and border restrictions, it was dead empty and we were the only car going through customs. It was awkward but convenient since we did not have to wait in line. The CBP officers seem bored and they were happy to see us. That was a first
 
The primary inspection just asked for our passports (my spouse is the US citizen) and I informed him that I wanted to activate my visa and import the vehicle at same time. He asked me the type of visa (it is IR-1), he said welcome to the US and congratulations, then put a sticker on the windshield and asked us to drive to the secondary inspection. 
 
We drove through a massive X-ray machine and a couple of agents re-directed us to park in secondary and wait for an officer.
The CBP officer showed up after 15 minutes. He asked for my passport and the CD with the X-ray from my medical (good thing I had kept the sealed envelop from Dr Cheema with me). He asked a few questions such as when and where we met, where we are heading to, what my job is and what we are transporting in the vehicle. We informed him that our household will be shipped in a few days and he requested the contract from the movers and declaration for customs. He then asked for all the docs related to the car (EPA form 3520, DOT HS-7, bill of sale, Canadian registration, letter of release from the manufacturer and letter of compliance from the manufacturer). All the forms were filled out and the officer said it seems ok. He checked the VIN number from the label/sticker under the hood and went back inside to complete the import and activation. We stayed in the car approx. 30 minutes. He came back and confirmed all was cleared and the car is duty free since it was manufactured in the US. He gave me back the forms and handed over the CBP 7501 form with a seal (I had to sign it) that will be required to register the car. He also gave me my visa with the stamp and confirmed it was valid for 1 year which should be sufficient since the GC should be delivered within 2 months. He also asked us to confirm the address we were moving to and re-entered in their system since the mailing address will be used to ship both SSN and GC. He wished us good luck and directed us to the exit. 
 
I understand some members from these forums had different experiences but I can say that all the CBP agents were extremely friendly and welcoming, and the experience was pleasant and easy overall. The whole process took about 1 hour (mainly to wait inside the car). During that time, we only saw 2 other cars going through customs!
Activating the visa is quick but if you intend to import your vehicle, the administrative and registration process can be time consuming. I suggest you fill out the necessary docs correctly as it will save you some precious time and prevent you to re-do them in person. 
 
I'll share an update when the SSN & GC are delivered.

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

Approved for me!!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

I had my interview yesterday and was approved! 
Questions are like everyone's been posting, I was surprised that my husbands financial documents were not looked at, or his birth certificate. 
One thing to note is that the fingerprint machines are not wiped between uses and there are no bottles of sanitizer at each window,. There is one large bottle on the security guards desk. I carry hand sanitizer on my purse and was thankful for that.
Good luck to all the future applicants going through this very long process! I'm not crossing over to the US until I have received my vaccines here in Ontario (I'm in phase 2 so hopefully will have them started in May) and am still not sure how I'm getting to Iowa to be with my husband. Ideally we want to drive my stuff down, but the 15 day stay here does not work for him. I may end up having to fly there myself and ship my belongings.
Thank you to this informative and helpful group!

DQ June 1st, interview February 24th! What a pleasant surprise to wake up to that email! 

They typically are interested in the original birth certificate of the beneficiary (i.e. the spouse who is seeking the visa), the original police certificate, and original marriage certificate. The petitioner's birth certificate can be a photocopy.

Approved!!!
 
Interview scheduled at 8:00 am, called in couple of minutes before 8
went through security, put phone in locker
took elevator floor 1,  window 6
gave passport and sat down waited for number to be called then went to window 5
 
DOCUMENTS:
Asked to verify who petitioner was
Birth certificate 
marriage certificate
divorce certificates
one passport photo
AOS
2019 tax transcript
took fingerprints 
sat down and read pamphlet
 
INTERVIEW:
5-6 minutes later called to window 11
lady was very pleasant
Questions:
How did you meet?
Did you overstay any visit time in States? 
Any problems at the border?
Have you ever been arrested?
Why it take so long to file for visa?(We have lived in Canada for 11 years)
What spouse does for a job?
Do you have any children? 
How many marriages?
 
She approved my visa and handed me the welcome letter.
 
 
I was out the door by 8:30 am
 
 
Thank you to everyone that has provided information on this site, it has helped guide the process tremendously!!

We finally just received that nice email from NVC. Got our IL. Interview date of march 26th at 10:00am. Our DQ was July 9. 
I obviously can't thank this group enough for all the support and information all this while. Now will be my turn to ask you guys questions
happy Thursday all. 

Still in total awe and disbelief that this is real but hallelujah, I WAS APPROVED THIS MORNING!! 🙏😭🇺🇸 details to come! 

My husband had his IR1 interview yesterday and was approved!! Here is a review from him:
 
Arrived at 9:20 a.m. for my 9:30 appointment. Had to wait outside until the security guard came and asked me when my appointment was and let me in. The guard at the door asked me for my passport so that he could identify me . He then asked me three questions about any exposure to Covid and if I’ve travelled recently. Then he gave my passport to the next guard and I was then asked to take off my coat and my belt, empty my pockets and put them all in the tray to go through an x-ray machine while I went through a metal detector, and then I collected all my belongings. I was then asked if I had a cell phone which they put into a locker and gave me the key.
 
I then went up to the first floor and proceeded to window number 6 . I was  then asked for my passport for identification purposes and was told to sit down until my name was called. It was about 9:30 but the clock on the wall read 10:40 which was obviously wrong. In about 15 minutes or so I was called to window number 4. I had to let her know that her speaker wasn't on because behind her mask and her quiet voice I couldn't hear anything she was saying. I mentioned to her that I had recently updated my passport.
She asked for:
One passport picture and a copy of my passport biometric page.
My birth certificate (Long version)
My marriage certificate 
My police background check 
My military records.
I then had my fingerprints taken. (*Just a side note if anyone cares.. the fingerprint scanner that you place your hand on is not  sanitized from the previous person using it as I asked them. I wiped it down myself before using it)

I was then told to have a seat and wait to have my name called again .

After another 15 minutes or so I was called to window number 3 for my interview.
Questions asked were:
Where was I born?
Where was my spouse born?
Where did we meet?
Do we have children?
What was my Canadian and US address?
What was the longest I've travelled in the US?
Why I wanted to immigrate to the US? (We are retired so I won't be working)
What financial resources do you have to live on when you move to the US?
 
At this point I was given two sheets of paper, one a Welcome to the United States letter and one with instructions how to pick up or deliver your visa.
Nothing else was said so I asked if this means I am approved and he said yes!
 
My interview was at 9:30 and I was out of there at 10:30!