PR living in US (H1B) – Issues with US Plates and Residency Scrutiny at Border

[robincanada2014]

Hi everyone,
I’m a Canadian PR currently working in the US on an H1B visa. I maintain rentals in both countries and commute across the border frequently. I’m running into two specific issues at the border and would love some insight:

• US Plates: I’m getting a hard time from CBSA officers(Canadian Side) about my US-plated car. Has anyone in a similar "dual-residency" situation been able to successfully keep their US plates long-term while entering Canada frequently? Or did you eventually have to import the vehicle?
• Residency Scrutiny: Every time I mention I "live" in the US, I get grilled about my residency obligations (730 days in 5 years). For those working in the US on H1B/TN visas, how do you frame your living situation to officers to minimize friction while still being honest about your US employment?

I am keeping track of my days to ensure I meet the RO, but the constant scrutiny is making the commute stressful. Any tips on documentation or "magic words" to smooth out the process?
Thanks in advance!

 

[justinline]

Hi everyone,
I’m a Canadian PR currently working in the US on an H1B visa. I maintain rentals in both countries and commute across the border frequently. I’m running into two specific issues at the border and would love some insight:

• US Plates: I’m getting a hard time from CBSA officers(Canadian Side) about my US-plated car. Has anyone in a similar "dual-residency" situation been able to successfully keep their US plates long-term while entering Canada frequently? Or did you eventually have to import the vehicle?
• Residency Scrutiny: Every time I mention I "live" in the US, I get grilled about my residency obligations (730 days in 5 years). For those working in the US on H1B/TN visas, how do you frame your living situation to officers to minimize friction while still being honest about your US employment?

I am keeping track of my days to ensure I meet the RO, but the constant scrutiny is making the commute stressful. Any tips on documentation or "magic words" to smooth out the process?
Thanks in advance!

US plates will give you issues once you claim you are Canadian PR. Although I think it is a remains of olden days when physical presence was not the criteria but rather residence was judged upon whether your centre of life is in Canada or somewhere else. Even though 730 days presence or 1095 days physical presence is basic criteria, CBSA still wants you to import your vehicle in short, if you are living in Canada and you are Canadian PR, they want to see Canadian plates and registration.
If you want to keep US car then dont travel or cross border with it. Like a case I know, guy worked in Green Bay, had an apartment and US car there, his family was in Sault Ste Marie they kept one car there. He would usually use bus service between two places.

You can say you live in Canada and travel to US for work. Then you have to import your car and get Canadian plates. If you are not daily commuter keep track of all the days in and out of Canada. They might bring you inside one day and ask you the fill up residence questionnaire.