How difficult is the border crossing between Canada and the US?
Apr 1st 2017 | 12:17 pm
#16
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 119
Re: How difficult is the border crossing between Canada and the US?
What's more annoying is the CBP officers don't usually stamp passports in Calgary Pre clearance and even though my partner brings the slip the kiosk prints with his admission info they always send him inside to double check he has an i94. Fortunately we rarely drive across the border so it's not usually an issue.
Apr 1st 2017 | 1:17 pm
#17
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: How difficult is the border crossing between Canada and the US?
Everything should be fine. However, considering that you are planning to make what I assume will be frequent trips across the border - I would have a file in the car (hard copy paper, not electronic) with your rental agreement, job contract etc and other things proving your connection and ties to Canada. The border guards will be looking to make sure you are not looking to work illegally in the US and do, in fact, intend to return to Canada.
Apr 1st 2017 | 2:32 pm
#18
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 571
From: High River AB
Re: How difficult is the border crossing between Canada and the US?
Don't get ESTA confused with the I-94W. ESTA is just a travel authorisation system used by airlines to determine if a traveller should be allowed to board their flight. Even if you have an ESTA and fly, you still get an I-94W (it's an electronic one).
Each I-94W is valid for 3 months, so if your mate who had ESTA had been to the US by air recently, then his I-94 would still be valid, hence not needing a new one.
Each I-94W is valid for 3 months, so if your mate who had ESTA had been to the US by air recently, then his I-94 would still be valid, hence not needing a new one.
He was made to do an ESTA & I94.
Apr 4th 2017 | 6:13 am
#20
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 75
From: Calgary, Canada
Re: How difficult is the border crossing between Canada and the US?
They will link you to your esta when you cross by land. One time when I was renewing my. I94 I was asked if I had one and couldn't remember (i did), I asked why it mattered and he said it just makes it easier as otherwise I'd have to fill out a landing card type form every time I entered. I plan to just always keep my esta valid if it makes crossing easier.
Regarding renewing the i94 before it expires, I was heading down to Missouri from MB with 4 days left on mine and asked to renew it and got lots of grumbling about why I couldn't make it back before it expired.... Sure, what's best, renew it now or risk it expiring while I'm away due to delays or breakdown, went inside and they were fine, was just the booth guy being a grump. You can keep renewing it endlessly, as long as you keep leaving the USA, technically I live more in the states than I do Canada but that's the nature of the job, most entries to the US take me about 10 seconds, so as long as you are just going to Detroit to visit and returning regularly to maintain your life in Canada I see no problem, it's when you have unclear motives or reasons for going they will start asking questions. She can also visit Canada too you know...
Regarding renewing the i94 before it expires, I was heading down to Missouri from MB with 4 days left on mine and asked to renew it and got lots of grumbling about why I couldn't make it back before it expired.... Sure, what's best, renew it now or risk it expiring while I'm away due to delays or breakdown, went inside and they were fine, was just the booth guy being a grump. You can keep renewing it endlessly, as long as you keep leaving the USA, technically I live more in the states than I do Canada but that's the nature of the job, most entries to the US take me about 10 seconds, so as long as you are just going to Detroit to visit and returning regularly to maintain your life in Canada I see no problem, it's when you have unclear motives or reasons for going they will start asking questions. She can also visit Canada too you know...
Apr 6th 2017 | 4:21 pm
#22
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 119
Re: How difficult is the border crossing between Canada and the US?
