Crossing the border. . .
 

I'm on the IEC program. Am i able to cross the border on my working holiday visa? Or do i still require the American visa to get in?

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

having your IEC Visamakes no difference to the USA border requirements.

If you hold a passport from a country that can use the 194w then yes you need to fill one in and go through that procedure

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

What passport do you have? Whatever rules the US has in place for that will apply. The canadian status doesnt change anything.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

If your eligiable for visa waiver, You will need to complete the on-line ESTA form and get approval.

If you go to a land border crossing you might still need to complete the I-94w as well.

It seem's that if you're by sea or Air the ESTA is sufficent but the land crossings have yet to catch up?

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

I just have a working holiday visa. I was thinking of catching the bus to Seattle for a couple of days... :unsure:

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

Crossings by land do not require ESTA. Turn up, fill in an I-94W and the customs form. Pay $6. If they like you, welcome to the USA.

Also, have a look at the Amtrak Cascades train from Vancouver to Seattle. More comfy than the bus, and you go through immigration at the train station in Vancouver.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

Is that true for commercial carriers too? I know for a PR you must have the PR card to go by bus, but not if driving in private vehicle.

I tried to google this particular situation with the IEC visa, but drew a blank.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

It might be worth calling the bus company and asking them.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

NOT TRUE

we cross the border every month (in our own car) and the last few times, BOTH AMERICAN AND CANADIAN border agents have asked for my husbands PR card.
If you drive over you need visa waiver as others have said, costya 6 american bucks, it is good for 3 months if you are not returning to US within 3 months, return waiver when crossing border, if you are going back within the time limit, keep it. We get hub a new one every 3 months, as we go every month.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

Just cos the IOs ask for it does not mean its a legal requirement. The law has not changed, you do not need a PR card to drive yourself across the border if you have the ROLF form, even if they prefer you to have it for the sake of simplicity.

You do need a valid I94W

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

Yes of course you need a valid I94W form, but are YOU going to be the one to say "it's not a legal requirement and I am not going to show you" I think not. When american side asked and if we responded by saying we don't have to show you, they can respond with.....go home we don't have to let you in.

The canadian side always every single time ask for it when we return at the border, why bother upsetting them and risking a search or worse by saying no I don't have or I don't have to show you it's not a legal requirement......keeping them sweet is why we have never been searched!

It doesn't hurt to carry it is all I'm saying.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

Sure, If you have one why wouldnt you show it, but there are circumstances where people dont have one, and they can still drive across the border.

The OP doesnt have one as an IEC candidate, hes not a PR. The fact is that its not a legal requirement, so if you have to say that to them then you should. Ultimately they have to go by what the law says.

The PR card is none of the business of the US immigration people, other than as an easy way to establish ties to canada, and there are plenty of other ways to do that.

Obviosly its not in anyones interest to get chippy with the immigration officers, they are just doing their job, but part of that job is to know the rules too, so if you dont have a PR card, (maybe its off for renewal or you forgot, or your citizenship ceremony is in a month and you cant be arsed to fork out for a replacement PR card you wont need soon) then you are perfectly within your rights to drive over the border without it if you have other acceptable documentation, and they know it.

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

Well they may very well know it, but as in any job, there are those that are bone idle lazy and want it done the easy way and frankly if it gets us across quicker...
Not having PR yes is totally different..........


Over the years I have run into some very snarly and job worths custom officers (Pearson have the worse ones) and many times they asked me questions I didn't think appropriate and I answered and now know that it was none of their business as I reported one officer she was so awful towards me........but that is not immigration..totally different

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

I've been asked for my PR card a few times recently when crossing into the US, they never used to ask for it, so seems there has been a policy change even though no legal requirement to show it.

You'd be very unwise to refuse to show it IMO, that would likely get you a rubber gloving and/or a rapid journey back home again...

Re: Crossing the border. . .
 

that was point I was also trying to make...