Border landing from US at Lewiston?

[dopehead]

Hey guys,

We're planning to drive up to the Queenston Lewiston Bridge from Boston, leaving this Friday evening. By our estimates, we should reach there only by 4am on Saturday morning.
I'm seeing lots of conflicting reports in the forums, for instance here - and here - where landing at Lewiston is restricted to certain days and hours of the day, but those seem specific to flagpoling.

Based on what I've read/Googled so far we should be able to perform our landing formalities with no issues, but has anyone experienced or known otherwise for those landing from the US?

 

[ContactFront]

Restrictions apply to those who flagpole.
If you are entering from the States you should be fine.

 

[dopehead]

Thanks - was able to land with no issues.
Cheers.

 

[sam9589]

Thanks - was able to land with no issues.
Cheers.

Congratulations.
So, did you land in Canada and staying there or returned back to USA after the formalities are done?

 

[dopehead]

Congratulations.
So, did you land in Canada and staying there or returned back to USA after the formalities are done?

The idea was to perform a soft landing, I've detailed my experience here
But essentially I just landed and was back in the US in 30 minutes.

 

[sam9589]

The idea was to perform a soft landing, I've detailed my experience here
But essentially I just landed and was back in the US in 30 minutes.

So, you have a valid H1B visa stamp in your passport?
I don't have valid H1B visa stamping, so I am assuming that soft landing is not possible for me. Unless and until I go for H1B stamping first.

 

[dopehead]

So, you have a valid H1B visa stamp in your passport?
I don't have valid H1B visa stamping, so I am assuming that soft landing is not possible for me. Unless and until I go for H1B stamping first.

It actually is - look into Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). There are many threads on here that refer to is.
The gist of it is that if your H-1B has expired but you have a valid I-797, you visit Canada or Mexico for a period of < 30 days and you're otherwise admissible to the US, then you can safely travel and re-enter.
More details here.

 

[sam9589]

It actually is - look into Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). There are many threads on here that refer to is.
The gist of it is that if your H-1B has expired but you have a valid I-797, you visit Canada or Mexico for a period of < 30 days and you're otherwise admissible to the US, then you can safely travel and re-enter.
More details here.

Thanks for the link and detailing your experience @dopehead.
I came to USA on F-1 and then got my status changed to H1-B last year. I have F-1 stamping in my passport, never went for H1-B stamping.
So, with valid I-797 and expired F-1 visa in passport, can I go for "Automatic Revalidation" or I should have H1-B stamp in Passport?

 

[dopehead]

Thanks for the link and detailing your experience @dopehead.
I came to USA on F-1 and then got my status changed to H1-B last year. I have F-1 stamping in my passport, never went for H1-B stamping.
So, with valid I-797 and expired F-1 visa in passport, can I go for "Automatic Revalidation" or I should have H1-B stamp in Passport?

Ah - for AVR I believe your current visa status has to be the same as your expired visa - so essentially you'll need the H-1B stamp. I could be mistaken though, always a good idea to check with your attorneys.

 

[sam9589]

Ah - for AVR I believe your current visa status has to be the same as your expired visa - so essentially you'll need the H-1B stamp. I could be mistaken though, always a good idea to check with your attorneys.

Yup, that is what I was thinking. I will contact my attorney.
Thanks - @dopehead