When in a travel and re-entry situation to revalidate Visa status for a foreigner in the US, is it a smoother?

Question

experience to drive through to Canada and come back driving, or to come back and fly in and be checked for papers at the airport? Thanks.

Answer 1

That probably depends on whether you're Canadian or not, and what exactly your visa classification is.

Most Canadians holding work visas in the US do not have to actually return and cross the border (except to renew their passports). All they HAVE to do is go to a valid border crossing point (there's a list of them on the US Customs and Immigration site), present their documentation, and pay their fees. They're already in the country, so they don't (normally) have to return home.

In my own case, it makes no sense to go all the way back to Canada to renew my visa qualification - it's actually easier to go to a USA/Mexico border point and process the application.

Alternatively, it can be done by mail as well. Although that process usually takes several months to accomplish, so start well in advance of your projected end-date.