In Canada now, need to change status at US Border

[subinense]

Hi,

I'm inadmissible to the US, according to them, I overstayed.  They took my visitor's visa away and told me to file for a Waiver of inadmissibility.

I have a work permit in Canada, but soon will be getting my PR.  Can I still go to the border to change my status to enter as PR ? Will it hurt my inadmissibility process if I show up there without a Visa and being Inadmissible, even if I tell them I have no intention of entering the US, all I want is change my immigration status in Canada ?

Please, help!

Thanks

[Baloo]

You can land at an office inside of Canada if you do not want to go near the US border

[scylla]

I think you need to be very careful how you go about this. If you are inadmissible to the US and attempt to enter before the inadmissibility issue is resolved - this increases the length of time you are inadmissible for.

Now I know you don't really want to enter the US. However there's always a chance you could run into an over zealous US immigration official who takes things the wrong way and thinks you're lying - and you could be in a heap more trouble than you are now.

So I think the key question is: Can you exit Canada and then re-enter Canada without actually having to go to or speak with anyone at the US border? In other words, can you exit Canada and then just u-turn back and re-enter? Unfortunately I don't have any first hand experience and can't help. However hopefully someone else will be able to answer.

Another option would be to book a landing within Canada. I understand the wait for an appointment can be several weeks (maybe even a couple of months?). But this might end up being a safer option.

Hope this helps.

[Baloo]

A recent post here suggested that an inland appointment was only a one week delay, I cannot remember the location.

I would suggest that you contact the call centre and ask how long you would have to wait for a "landing" appointment.

[subinense]

I had no idea I could land at my local CIC here in Montreal.  Thank you so much.  I'm already getting the info.  Even if it takes a couple of weeks or a month, better than going to the border or paying 500$ to go to Cancun and back (with I had the time and money to stay for a weekend there though, hehe)