scrubbedexpat091

They used to stamp it both directions, then up around 2010 the stamping stopped.

My old passport has all but 1 spot without a stamp, other then 2 from Australia the rest were all done crossing the US/Canadian border...lol

I always hand over both passport and PR card, I haven't a clue what the officer wants or needs, I just hand it all over and let them decide what document they want.

burks

I know you are supposed to.. but I don't think they are too strict about it.. at least not in my experience so far

Gozit

That's how i'd do it too LOL
And wow that's interesting that they stamped your US passport, in the US

When I go to the US by air they stamp my Canadian pport, but if I enter at the land border, no stamp...

orly

I did get a grilling once for having an expired one in my passport. Might be best to just discard of it yourself in advance

burks

That is what I have always done. I think you are technically supposed to mail it back to some address in Kentucky.

So are you supposed to hand it in to the Canadian side upon leaving the US?

jimmydean

My kids usually fly in to New York from UK (with ESTA) and then I pick them up and drive up to NS after a few days in NYC........... after their vacation when driving back into USA from Canada they have never been given a green I-94 the US Border people just see the ESTA on the system and wave us through the border. This has happened the last few times we have done this.

jennellapea

If you ever want to check to see if your departure was recorded you can check on this website -

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

burks

Is this a trick so you can steal our personal information?

jennellapea

I would have no idea on what to do with people's information.

Gozit

Out of curiosity what do they tell the CBP officers on arrival? That they are going to see their dad in Canada or on vacation in NY? I remember being told on here once that you can't enter the USA with the sole intent of crossing the land border into Canada unless you have some sort of status (IEC/visa/citizenship/pr) ... Dumb rule but it is the US I suppose.

Former Lancastrian

Their country, their rules. There are direct flights from Europe and most other countries to Canada why even get the Mericans involved. You can transit via the US when flying onto Canada but not landing in the US then driving across the border.

jimmydean

They tell them the truth... that they are spending a few days in NYC and then travelling up to Canada.......... never had any problems on their arrival in US or at the Canadian Border or on return back into US to fly home.

Gozit

Yep I know its their country their rules, but that doesn't mean that rule isn't stupid and pointless ...

Right. Probably cos they are actually vacationing in NY instead of driving straight to the border

Former Lancastrian

How is the rule stupid and pointless.You are entering the USA so what guarantee can you provide to USCBP that you will actually go to Canada. Even if you had a confirmed car rental from the airport thats not a guarantee you will leave the USA. The Mericans sometimes get pissed at us as there are certain citizens from certain countries who don't need a visa to enter Canada but do for the USA. So they fly to Canada stating they are visiting then sneak across the border into the USA.
No system is perfect but they have that in place for their reasons and really don't care if you think its stupid or pointless.

Gozit

Erm.. Return ticket to the UK ? Proof of ties - employment and whatnot.

Its stupid and pointless because for some it would be cheaper to fly into a US airport vs a Canadian one, and for others it may be closer to their Canadian destination, but due to a silly overparanoid American rule, they either have to pony up for a flight direct to Canada or lie to the CBP officer.

I don't see Canada having a rule saying third country nationals cannot fly into Canada and drive to the USA. Its just the US.