I know this must have come up before, but I couldnt think how to search this subject, so please bear with me here.

I am having a last minute panic and need some reassurance that all will work.

Firstly, we are hoping to get to our Canadian Port of Entry via a US holiday - so if we have a Letter of Introduction for Work Permits, I am assuming that we dont need a return ticket as we dont have onward travel after Canada? Does that make sense. I do not want to have to buy return tickets and waste that return part - as there are 5 of us and we are coming from New Zealand!!

Secondly, 3 of the 5 of us have paperwork (Letters of Introduction) but our 5 and 1 year olds dont require visas/permits so have no formal paperwork, but will this prove an issue when passing through the States?

We just dread things not going smoothly - can we honestly expect US customs/immigration to understand the ins and outs of the Canadian Work Permit.

No, you cant, and thats why this might be tricky as they may not admit you to the US in the first place if you dont have a return ticket....I'd look into this one with the experts in the immigration forum.

But if we fly from NZ, there is no alternative than to land in the US, how many people are honestly expected to buy a return ticket, which is going to non-refundable just to ease US immigration? Surely someone here has done this and knows?

If we go to Vancouver or Toronto, we have to stop on that flight in either LA or Hawaii or San Diego.

But do you actually go through immigration controls, customs etc at that point?

Like you say, somone must have done it. Its maybe not a problem...but it might be, US immigration can be very jobsworth about return tickets and or onward travel, so hopefully someone in the know can help.

yup, just spoken to Air NZ and they confirmed that the full entry to the US customs/immigration thing is done even if just joining a second leg of the same flight.

Going to have to ring the Canadian Embassy in Sydney and spend 3 hours waiting on hold!

Making a connecting flight vs breaking your journey for a holiday are two slightly different issues, though... if you're a transit passenger you declare as much to the US immigration officials as you land and they act accordingly. I can't see that you'll have a problem if your onward ticket to Canada is a few hours after your arrival at your US transit airport. They might look at it a bit differently if you're planning a couple of weeks' layover in the US.

Well I was told that the same detailed immigration/customs thing is done, whether or not you are stood in a corridor for an hour as they refuel or you stop for a week.

Now seriously considering buying ongoing tickets to the UK and then using that leg another time - is that possible??

Book the flight from here to the US/Canada and then a flight out to the UK,can you have a long date before using those tickets??? How long are you allowed as a visitor to stay in Canada??

Hi "Poppy"

Long time no chat. Have you sold your house then?

Trust you to make your journey as complicated as possible.

When are you arriving in NS? I am flying out on 4th October to take my CRNE, set up banking, meet realtors, get a job etc. Starting to panic about the exam now.

How is the family....all excited now it is getting close I bet.

Usually 6 months, but its not a rule.

Oh jeez - every time I think *this is it*......it isnt! But the husband has stirred me up about *what ifs*.

Yes it will be as complicated as possible and we will no doubt get stopped in LA, strip searched and held as terrorists because of the complexity of our travel plans! All for the wonderful world of Mr Disney...........................

Well if all goes to plan..................the universe is laughing I can hear it.......we might be flying out in early to mid October. So i guess we may miss you that time, but we will certainly catch you when you return triumphant with your job and house sorted!!!

Now dont worry about the exam, you will be great - think of me, when the time comes.............if it isnt a lady-part I have no idea anymore!!!

For the last year I haven't seen a patient under 80, so all parts, lady or the other sort, are a bit shrivelled.

We are putting the finishing touches to our house and plan to put it on the market after Christmas. We have had some tentative enquiries from people who have heard we may be selling, so I hope that it won't take long to sell.

I am planning another visit in the spring to buy a house (if I don't see one this time). Hopefully we can meet up then.

Good luck with the move.

Thanks iaink - just spoken to someone with Airnz who said the same.

So current plan, is to buy one-way tickets to either the US or Canada and have a one-way leg to the UK, booked 6 months after landing in Canada - so we have the flexibility of rebooking that flight afterwards.

We have been in NZ for 4 years, so have already decided it is time to visit the UK next year, so this works out fine. Obviously we would process the Work Permit paperwork as soon as we enter Canada.

Does that sound mad??

Too right - we will meet up when you come in the Spring then!!! Bring some Minstrels with you............I have got a 4 year long craving that needs satisfying!! And I will teach you the Haka...........................

Minstrels...didn't realise they were so desirable. Will get a job lot in the sales!
Got to go now. Shouldn't really spend all the night shift on BE.

See you