From visitor VISA to IEC VISA

[davide.canducci]

Hi everyone,

first of all I apologize if I'm writing in the wrong section, and also if there are already answers to my question, but honestly (my fault maybe) I couldn't find anything about this or last year.

I'm in Canada with a visitor VISA (since 1 months), and I obtained the IEC VISA (the letter that proves that my request has been accepted). How can I do to change my VISA? I know that in the "past" I would have to get out of Canada, and then come back. Is this still valid? I live in Toronto, can I simply go to Buffalo (the nearest US's city) and come back? Another question: I read that to enter in the US as a visitor (even for only one hour) I should do a ESTA. Can someone confirm this?

Thanks in advance,

Davide

P.s. Sorry for any grammatical errors, my english is not so good

 

[Bs65]

Hi everyone,

first of all I apologize if I'm writing in the wrong section, and also if there are already answers to my question, but honestly (my fault maybe) I couldn't find anything about this or last year.

I'm in Canada with a visitor VISA (since 1 months), and I obtained the IEC VISA (the letter that proves that my request has been accepted). How can I do to change my VISA? I know that in the "past" I would have to get out of Canada, and then come back. Is this still valid? I live in Toronto, can I simply go to Buffalo (the nearest US's city) and come back? Another question: I read that to enter in the US as a visitor (even for only one hour) I should do a ESTA. Can someone confirm this?

Thanks in advance,

Davide

P.s. Sorry for any grammatical errors, my english is not so good

There are plenty of posts about experiences on here or on the internet if you Google. As I understand and not speaking from experience you travel to Niagra and the Rainbow Bridge crossing. You cross to the US side where you inform the US Immigration officer your purpose is to activate your Canadian visa not to enter the USA. US immigration would then issue for administration purposes a refused entry document which has no effect on future trips to the US. You then head back to the Canada side to pass through CBSA checks to activate your visa/work permit. Based on other posts in various places this could take a few hours could take less depending on cross border traffic passing through immigration so maybe time of day could be a consideration , maybe weekends are quieter no idea. As for ESTA usually that is required more for air travel whereas land border believe still use the i94 green form, would do no harm to apply for an ESTA anyway although probably not needed as you would not actually be entering the US but useful to have anyway. Just make sure you have all your documentation such as travel insurance for the full IEC term plus proof of funds (2500 CAD) to show to CBSA as per the IEC instructions on the CIC site.. As said Google other experiences maybe search 'CANADA Flagpoling'