A little background: originally from Aisa, and then studied and worked in the US for 8 years and didn't file for US green card. Never been rejected for US visa applications. Moved to Montreal with a work permit, and have obtained CSQ from Quebec. Filed for federal and have received request for medicals. While things are not final yet, I plan to land from the US. I need to apply for a US visa in order to enter the US and then come back to Canada to land. My question is: should I renew my expired Canadian visa based on my job first, then apply for a US visa (in Montreal); or when I recieve my PR with a Canada visa stamp on my passport, and then to apply for a US visa?
You do not need US visa if you are Canadian PR, but Canadian PR visa is not Canadian PR.
So, you would need US visa to enter US before landing as PR in Canada.
All this confusion aside, why do you want to get US visa ? You can simply walk out of Canada , approach US border and tell them you just need to be turned back and then you enter Canada. The spot between US and Canada is neither and you can exit there in order to reenter Canada instead of entering US and then going back to Canada.
I understood. That's why I wrote that until after you are a PR you need Visa to enter US.
PR Visa in passport is not the same as Canadian PR.
But you do not need to enter US at all. You can simply exit Canada on the border then make a U-turn (without entering US) and get back to Canadian border to officially land in Canada.
If you are on H1 status then you need stamping since you are coming back for work.. but if you are just coming back within 30 days then while exit you dont have to submit your i-94 card as u can specify that you are visiting Canada for travel purpose.
