Hi - relatively new to the forums here.

Have Permanent Residence status in Ontario, Canada, but have yet to take a trip over to the USA. I have British citizenship.

Anyone know what I need to do to get myself across the border and back again in one piece without causing too much trouble to my Canadian friends who can cross the border no problem with the flash of their birth certificate! (OK, not quite, but y'know it's easier for them).

Specifically we are going on a bus trip to see an NHL game. What will border control want to see as I go into the US - any idea if they will keep us hanging around for long because of me, and also what do I do on the way back - I am assuming I can flash my PR card on my return...it's more the getting there I am concerned about.

Thanks!

What is your citizenship?

I'm British. Thanks, I realise that's kind of important!!!

Take your passport and PR card. Passport is needed to get into the US as a brit. PR card is required to board a commercial bus back to Canada as a PR.

When I was a PR it was never a great hassle coming or going. You will probably need to pay the $6US for the I94W visa waiver temporary green card to enter the US. In theory they should make you get one, but they are a bit hit and miss about it.

The I94-W is good for 6 months, but if you arent going to use it, its better to hand it back in on coming back over the border rather than forget to surrender it at a later date, which could create problems entering the US in future.

Thanks. You've kind of confirmed my research. I figured I might need some US cash and I'd read about the I94W. Interesting though that it's possible they may not even make me do that.

I just didn't want to be responsible for a whole busload of people missing the hockey game!!!

Dont worry, they will leave you behind at the border to fend for yourself long before that becomes a possibility

You'll have to have a copy of your prints taken too,expect an hour or so wait depending if they've many to deal with.

Hmm, I hadnt thought about that aspect. Do they do that with bus / train passengers? Not sure how they would do that on the train through niagara, which was the last time I did the trip as a PR, pre citizenship.

We went through by car & it cost me $6,a copy of my prints & an hour of my time!,with no explanation of the process

I just crossed at Port Huron, showed Red Passport, no problem, no delay.

We have crossed the border a few times and have always had to fill out the form and fingers done.

Just a little question though, my daughter is going on a trip to the States with the Air Cadets and will have to fill out a I94w on her own (13), she has filled one out with my help before, so I'm sure she'll be OK doing that on her own. All of the other Air Cadets are proper Canadians, not Canadians in training, so she will hold the entire bus up, they are crossing at Vancouver - is this a really busy crossing? And can anyone foresee any problems that I haven't thought of?

There are two crossings south of Vancouver: Peace Arch and the Pacific Hwy. Buses usually use the Pacific Hwy (aka the truck crossing). It can be very busy.

Before I became a citizen I crossed the border using my UK passport with the PR visa inside (before PR cards were issued) with no problem. The rules then were no visa waiver required if you were British and PR in Canada. My OH traveled on a Japanese passport and had to pay her $6.00 every three months to have her visa waiver renewed. This was before they started collecting finger prints.

Not that it matters in this instance but it's valid for 90 days, not 6mths. I'm amazed Brits have been let in without one. We got leafleted today about the "no more verbal declarations" from Feb 1st for Canadians visiting the US, ID must be shown, so I'm guessing no more Brits would be waved through on the basis of being in a Canadian-plated car after then either.

Piff Poff - can you get her one ahead of time? I don't know where Red Deer is, lousy geography of Alberta - sorry! - but could you nip over for some shopping and hang on to the I94W so she's got a valid one when she goes?

Iaink is talking about the I-94 that is placed in your pocket and not the US green card which denotes US permanent residency.

As for the length of the visit on the I-94, depends on the agent completing the form. He/She might only give you 48 hours.

Biiiiink, that would be great but its a six hour drive (with no shops for another 4 hours or summat the other side), I just wished I'd picked up a spare form before so at least I could make sure she filled it out right. BUT I have found a website that shows the form, so I can make sure she knows what to fill in where. I just don't want the phonecall, Mum they won't let me in, can you come and get me????