AVR and good to follow questions

[newmember2017]

Hello,

I would really appreciate if someone can help me with these queries.


I will use AVR rule, will have expired visa but approved I797 and I94 while landing.
I will be making soft landing in Vancouver from US via road this month and I am confused about the following things –

Foremost, it it mandatory to have original I797 for using AVR or a copy will work ?

1. Is it mandatory to have the goods to follow (GTF/BSF) form stamped during soft landing ? I will buy more stuff later and intend do move after an year. Not sure what else I will take with me next year.
2. If the answer to above question is no . Do you know how to submit the GTF form later during permanent landing, can you share the article or experience if anyone knows about the same ? Everywhere its mentioned that you need to submit this form at soft landing.
3. Is the photos of Jewelry absolutely necessary on GTF ? as I don’t have them with me at this time.
4. Do I have to mention the serial numbers of all the electronics ? I may purchase more later and bring them in at the time of permanent landing.
5. I read in the forum that people had their GTF form refused during short landing in Vancouver as they did not mention that they are settling or chose the option settler in BSF form. Is that true ? How should I make sure that the BSF form gets stamped ?
6. I have one car which I will declare but will buy another car later. Can I mention in GTF a car without VIN and model ?
7. Lastly, I will be travelling back to US a week later. Do I need to keep anything in mind about I 94 ? Like, if they change I 94, will there be an issue ?

I am sorry about the long list of questions. Thanks in advance !

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

You don't have to submit custom docs ( GTA/GTF) at the time of softlanding. You can get those stamped later at the time of permanent move or one of the trips before permanent move.

 

[newmember2017]

Thank you for the reply !

Awaiting the answer to other questions

 

[lampbreaker]

It is better to have the original approval notice rather than a copy.

 

[newmember2017]

It is better to have the original approval notice rather than a copy.

Thanks, but is it absolute mandatory ?

 

[harirajmohan]

Thanks, but is it absolute mandatory ?

You have the bottom portion which is your original I94 extended by uscis which is required to use avr.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1218/kw/automatic visa revalidation

Reentry is nothing but the same requirements as you did last time from your country of origin. No shortcuts on procedures except that officers dont ask for visa validity but rest remains same. You need to have all other documents for any extensive immigration check if any.

 

[newmember2017]

You have the bottom portion which is your original I94 extended by uscis which is required to use avr.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1218/kw/automatic visa revalidation

Reentry is nothing but the same requirements as you did last time from your country of origin. No shortcuts on procedures except that officers dont ask for visa validity but rest remains same. You need to have all other documents for any extensive immigration check if any.

Makes sense.. thank you !

 

[newmember2017]

You don't have to submit custom docs ( GTA/GTF) at the time of softlanding. You can get those stamped later at the time of permanent move or one of the trips before permanent move.

Thanks but your information is incorrect .

I had to provide the Goods to Follow document at the time of landing and officer refused to have this at a later date and at a later timing. She said its mandatory , if don't give the document then everything that I bring later will be taxed and I will get no exemption.

Please do not convey this to any other person again. I had to write everything manually during the immigration which costed me a couple of hours.

You had a difference experience but I believe nobody should face this issue again , hence I am mentioning it here.

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

Thanks but your information is incorrect .

I had to provide the Goods to Follow document at the time of landing and officer refused to have this at a later date and at a later timing. She said its mandatory , if don't give the document then everything that I bring later will be taxed and I will get no exemption.

Please do not convey this to any other person again. I had to write everything manually during the immigration which costed me a couple of hours.

You had a difference experience but I believe nobody should face this issue again , hence I am mentioning it here.

I have to disagree with you on this. I know scores of people who submitted docs after soft landing and didn't face any issue. I, myself, got custom docs signed after soft landing.

From your text it appears that you were not soft landing and were moving permanently. In this case, custom officer was right. You have to get custom docs stamped on or before permanent move else you will need to pay duty.

 

[newmember2017]

I have to disagree with you on this. I know scores of people who submitted docs after soft landing and didn't face any issue. I, myself, got custom docs signed after soft landing.

From your text it appears that you were not soft landing and were moving permanently. In this case, custom officer was right. You have to get custom docs stamped on or before permanent move else you will need to pay duty.

I thought that you will atleast understand and apologize for this misinformation and the hassle we had to go through.

Not sure why are you disagreeing ? I am clearly stating that I was asked for the GTF form. I was doing soft landing and I told the same to officer in extremely clear words.

You may know scores of people but every person with varying nationality who were doing Soft Landing had to provide the GTF form while landing . CBSA/IRCC may have changed the rule or may be this office was different.

Nonetheless, I am just mentioning this so that other families should be prepared forehand with GTF form to avoid the need to write it manually while immigration and possibly miss an important item . If officer agrees to sign the form at a later date, then its upto the person to have it approved later.

Thanks

 

[spirit.varun]

I agree with OP on declaring GTF list when landing for the first time (they don't care if its temporary(soft) or permanent and nor does CIC or any Canadian authority goes with these lingo).

I know few people who have gotten lucky around this and some not, but this doesn't necessarily apply to the standard set of procedures which is to have it declared the very first time you arrive after CoPR for the landing procedure (may it be a soft or hard)

 

[pr131985]

I thought that you will atleast understand and apologize for this misinformation and the hassle we had to go through.

Not sure why are you disagreeing ? I am clearly stating that I was asked for the GTF form. I was doing soft landing and I told the same to officer in extremely clear words.

You may know scores of people but every person with varying nationality who were doing Soft Landing had to provide the GTF form while landing . CBSA/IRCC may have changed the rule or may be this office was different.

Nonetheless, I am just mentioning this so that other families should be prepared forehand with GTF form to avoid the need to write it manually while immigration and possibly miss an important item . If officer agrees to sign the form at a later date, then its upto the person to have it approved later.

Thanks

You might have had a bad experience, we can understand the stress you might have had then.
However, APPNOV2014NY is correct and one does not need a GTF form during soft landing.

Here it is clearly stated on CBSA website, do read the section for Variation Between Customs/Immigration Legislation.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

The problem is some of the CBSA officers are not trained well or ignorant to the actual ruling.
Therefore, it is advisable to have a print out of this page while doing soft landing, just in case you meet such an officer.