Question about moving my niece to the US

Jul 30th, 2021 8:32 am

#1

jinglebell79 [OP]: Jr. Member; Jan 16, 2016; 120 posts; 21 upvotes; Thunder bay

Jul 30th, 2021 8:32 am

Question about moving my niece to the US

Hi all.

September first my niece takes possession of a apartment in Boston. She is going to university there, her first year in the states.

The family is all vaccinated and has passports, but some of us have mixed vaccines, which from what I’m reading is a problem getting into the US.

Can someone explain the current rules to me? Can we help her move?

Thanks so much.

Jul 30th, 2021 9:32 am

#2

uber_shnitz: Deal Fanatic; Nov 6, 2010; 9995 posts; 1930 upvotes; Montreal, QC

Jul 30th, 2021 9:32 am

jinglebell79 wrote: ↑ Hi all.

September first my niece takes possession of a apartment in Boston. She is going to university there, her first year in the states.

The family is all vaccinated and has passports, but some of us have mixed vaccines, which from what I’m reading is a problem getting into the US.

Can someone explain the current rules to me? Can we help her move?

Thanks so much.

There is actually no vaccine requirement at entry right now, just a negative antigen test (link) so you should be fine. Since you mentioned moving I assume you'd be driving so where it gets tricky is using the land border since currently it's still closed to Canadians for "non-essential" purposes (only opening the other way around) and I'm not sure if "helping my niece move" counts as essential.

However individual states are allowed to impose quarantine or testing requirements on top of the federal entry requirements so I would check with the state of MA's health department if there are any specifics.

+5

Jul 30th, 2021 10:33 am

#3

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 9003 posts; 6036 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 30th, 2021 10:33 am

If OP doesn't need to go to Boston until after August 21 then it shouldn't be an issue (assuming negative antigen test, etc.)

Jul 30th, 2021 10:55 am

#4

GateGuardian: Deal Fanatic; Jan 12, 2005; 5144 posts; 1787 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 30th, 2021 10:55 am

jinglebell79 wrote: ↑ Hi all.

September first my niece takes possession of a apartment in Boston. She is going to university there, her first year in the states.

The family is all vaccinated and has passports, but some of us have mixed vaccines, which from what I’m reading is a problem getting into the US.

Can someone explain the current rules to me? Can we help her move?

Thanks so much.

You're reading some fake news. Mixing vaccine has never been a problem getting into the US as vaccine is never a requirement, just covid test. Now getting onto a business/property such as a cruise ship may be problem depending on the vaccine you have.

Also, if you're flying it won't be an issue, but land border is still closed so don't drive (for now).

+1

Jul 30th, 2021 11:12 am

#5

MexiCanuck: Deal Guru; May 9, 2007; 13754 posts; 4121 upvotes; Vancouver Island, BC

Jul 30th, 2021 11:12 am

mrweather wrote: ↑ If OP doesn't need to go to Boston until after August 21 then it shouldn't be an issue (assuming negative antigen test, etc.)

Why shouldn’t it be an issue?

A day later, the U.S. declared that, barring an amendment, its side of the land border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21 due to risks posed by the pandemic.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/u-s-tr ... -1.6111192

Has there been an announcement from the USA of an August 21 change?

Global warming will be exceeded during the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions occur (United Nations IPCC Report 2021)

Every disaster film starts with scientists being ignored

+1

Jul 30th, 2021 12:09 pm

#6

jinglebell79 [OP]: Jr. Member; Jan 16, 2016; 120 posts; 21 upvotes; Thunder bay

Jul 30th, 2021 12:09 pm

Hi all.

Yes, I would be driving a uhaul. Looking to cross over the first of September.

Jul 30th, 2021 1:17 pm

#7

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 9003 posts; 6036 upvotes; Mississauga

Jul 30th, 2021 1:17 pm

Provided the US doesn't push back the August 21 date, you should be able to cross at a land border crossing. Again, subject to other restrictions CBP has in place.

Jul 30th, 2021 2:23 pm

#8

uber_shnitz: Deal Fanatic; Nov 6, 2010; 9995 posts; 1930 upvotes; Montreal, QC

Jul 30th, 2021 2:23 pm

Yeah so it all depends on August 21st if the US decides to reopen the land border or not.

+2

Jul 30th, 2021 5:18 pm

#9

jinglebell79 [OP]: Jr. Member; Jan 16, 2016; 120 posts; 21 upvotes; Thunder bay

Jul 30th, 2021 5:18 pm

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated.

Time will tell.

Jul 30th, 2021 6:08 pm

#10

jayoldschool: Deal Addict; Sep 4, 2006; 1382 posts; 1162 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 30th, 2021 6:08 pm

Have her drive the U Haul across, it is "essential". You, fly from Canada to the nearest border city in the US. Have her pick you up for the drive. Drive the U Haul back to Canada after you help unpack.

+4

Jul 31st, 2021 3:36 pm

#11

jinglebell79 [OP]: Jr. Member; Jan 16, 2016; 120 posts; 21 upvotes; Thunder bay

Jul 31st, 2021 3:36 pm

Oh Jay. This sounds like a headache.

Jul 31st, 2021 3:41 pm

#12

michelb: Deal Fanatic; Jul 4, 2004; 7254 posts; 4298 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 31st, 2021 3:41 pm

jinglebell79 wrote: ↑ Hi all.

Yes, I would be driving a uhaul. Looking to cross over the first of September.

Unless you have US citizenship or can enter for some other reason, under the current rules, you likely would not be able to enter to drive the U-haul. With a student visa, she should be able to enter by land driving the UHaul. It's still far away but so far, there's no indication that anything will change on Aug 21st.

Hope you can work something out.

+3

Aug 1st, 2021 12:25 am

#13

MexiCanuck: Deal Guru; May 9, 2007; 13754 posts; 4121 upvotes; Vancouver Island, BC

Aug 1st, 2021 12:25 am

mrweather wrote: ↑ Provided the US doesn't push back the August 21 date, you should be able to cross at a land border crossing. Again, subject to other restrictions CBP has in place.

That is a huge “Provided that…”. They have extended every month for over a year. Do you have information that the USA will change its decision in the face of its “covid-wave-in-progress”?

Global warming will be exceeded during the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions occur (United Nations IPCC Report 2021)

Every disaster film starts with scientists being ignored

+2

Aug 1st, 2021 8:19 am

#14

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 9003 posts; 6036 upvotes; Mississauga

Aug 1st, 2021 8:19 am

MexiCanuck wrote: ↑ Do you have information that the USA will change its decision in the face of its “covid-wave-in-progress”?

If I had a crystal ball I would have given a definitive response not a conditional one. Why are you trolling?

Aug 1st, 2021 10:13 am

#15

CanadianLurker: Deal Fanatic; Sep 9, 2012; 6174 posts; 5303 upvotes; Oakville, ON

Aug 1st, 2021 10:13 am

jinglebell79 wrote: ↑ Oh Jay. This sounds like a headache.

Well, unless their land border opens after Aug 21st, this is your best option. Snowbirds have been doing this to get down south so it is a viable option.

Else, she flies down with as much stuff as she can take and makes do until such time as you can cross later by land with the u-haul. If you're lucky that's Sept 21 if Aug passes with no update. Could be problematic though if they take several more months to open.

+1

Aug 2nd, 2021 7:22 pm

#16

Alohamom3: Newbie; Aug 11, 2020; 79 posts; 81 upvotes

Aug 2nd, 2021 7:22 pm

Our family is in a similar situation and really not sure what to do.
My daughter is starting a 5 year PhD program at UMass Amerst in Sept.
The difference with us is that my daughter does not have a driver's licence so she is counting on one (or both my hubby and I) to drive her and all her stuff down.
I emailed CBP and they responded that my daughter has the need for essential travel but we DO NOT. It will be up to the discretion of the border guard IF we can cross with her.
They also highlighted the fact that this could change but that I should call ahead to the border crossing I plan to use and ask them ahead of time too.
Sooooo my head is spinning about what the hell to do.
Part of me says the best idea is to fly down with her, rent a car and we all go shopping for basics like sheets, pots and pans, etc but the $$$$ of that is about double what it would be to take what she already owns and drive.
A friend of mine suggested yesterday that maybe we could try and get one of us to be designated as in need of essential travel as her driver ahead of time so that we won't be loaded up and trying to cross just to be turned away and having to do the flight idea anyway.

Arrgghhh-any other ideas?

Aug 2nd, 2021 9:29 pm

#17

GateGuardian: Deal Fanatic; Jan 12, 2005; 5144 posts; 1787 upvotes; Mississauga

Aug 2nd, 2021 9:29 pm

Alohamom3 wrote: ↑ Our family is in a similar situation and really not sure what to do.
My daughter is starting a 5 year PhD program at UMass Amerst in Sept.
The difference with us is that my daughter does not have a driver's licence so she is counting on one (or both my hubby and I) to drive her and all her stuff down.
I emailed CBP and they responded that my daughter has the need for essential travel but we DO NOT. It will be up to the discretion of the border guard IF we can cross with her.
They also highlighted the fact that this could change but that I should call ahead to the border crossing I plan to use and ask them ahead of time too.
Sooooo my head is spinning about what the hell to do.
Part of me says the best idea is to fly down with her, rent a car and we all go shopping for basics like sheets, pots and pans, etc but the $$$$ of that is about double what it would be to take what she already owns and drive.
A friend of mine suggested yesterday that maybe we could try and get one of us to be designated as in need of essential travel as her driver ahead of time so that we won't be loaded up and trying to cross just to be turned away and having to do the flight idea anyway.

Arrgghhh-any other ideas?

You can wait until August 21 to make any decision when the US decides if they will open the border. Or move down now with only what she can fit in her luggage and then drive down later when the border opens.

+1

Aug 3rd, 2021 9:27 am

#18

Alohamom3: Newbie; Aug 11, 2020; 79 posts; 81 upvotes

Aug 3rd, 2021 9:27 am

jinglebell79 wrote: ↑ Hi all.

September first my niece takes possession of a apartment in Boston. She is going to university there, her first year in the states.

The family is all vaccinated and has passports, but some of us have mixed vaccines, which from what I’m reading is a problem getting into the US.

Can someone explain the current rules to me? Can we help her move?

Thanks so much.

I thought I would update you specifically on what I just found out. I called the Buffalo CBP just now (716-843-8521) and spoke directly to a border guard.
She told me ONE parent can accompany their child while crossing the border on an I-20 Visa.
This clears up my situation greatly as we will now plan for one of us to go with out daughter as she does not drive and if the rules get relaxed on August 21st/22nd we will modify for both of us to go then.
You might want to call to ask about your specific situation and see if a close relative also qualifies or if it is only a parent who can cross with the student.

+3

Aug 3rd, 2021 9:52 am

#19

jayoldschool: Deal Addict; Sep 4, 2006; 1382 posts; 1162 upvotes; Ottawa

Aug 3rd, 2021 9:52 am

jinglebell79 wrote: ↑ Oh Jay. This sounds like a headache.

Yes, but, it is the only way it is going to happen right now by driving. The other alternative is to put her on a plane and pay for some extra bags/boxes (or you fly with her and you get more bag allowance).

+1

Aug 20th, 2021 8:35 am

#20

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 9003 posts; 6036 upvotes; Mississauga

Aug 20th, 2021 8:35 am

Well OP, the land border closure into the US has been extended again by DHS until September 21. Good luck with the move.

+4