Visiting the States
 

Hello everyone,

can anyone shed some light into what we need to be aware of / have before heading over to the States?

We are planning on renting a car and drive from Vancouver over to Mt Baker for a weekend. Do we need to bring our papers and or passports? do we even have to stop at the boarder for checks etc.?

Cheers!

Re: Visiting the States
 

Mmmm how much fun could I have with this one :lol:
Its only an International border crossing staffed by gun toting Mericans why would you need any ID or passports?
If UK passport holders then yes you need to stop and show it. If you are on a work permit I would also take that. You will need to apply for the I94 waiver at a cost of $6 per person which is valid for 90 days. On the way back our more friendlier gun carrying Canadian officers will offer service in both languages and ask a bunch of questions regarding items that you may have bought etc etc.
As its a rental vehicle make sure you can take it into the USA and don't be surprised if either countries protectors of the border use a slobbering dog to sniff around and inside of the vehicle which becomes a great story later on in life to tell the grandchildren.
For absences over 48 hours each person is allowed $800 worth of purchases for their exemption which includes booze or smokes.
BTW if you speak French use it on the Mericans when crossing as they love that Euro culture thing and remind them that you are speaking proper English.

Re: Visiting the States
 

As to your last line...always empathize your Frenchness, Americans love a good laugh.

Re: Visiting the States
 

"You aren't going to look in the trunk, are you?"

Re: Visiting the States
 

I'd leave the boarder at home, he may not have a visa.

Re: Visiting the States
 

Make sure the car rental company knows you are planning to drive to the US and they OK it.

Passports for sure. As suggested above your work permit is useful as it helps to prove non-resident intent in the US going south and admissibility coming north.

Very much so. Assuming you have UK passports you will be sent into secondary inspection to purchase a visa waiver. The cost is $6.00 in US currency only. Expect to be photographed and have your finger prints taken.

Re: Visiting the States
 

"Whatcha got in the trunk?"
"Oh... You don't wanna look in there."

Re: Visiting the States
 

"Can I see your license and registration?"
"Can I shoot your gun?"
I knew someone who said that to a mountie.:lol:

Re: Visiting the States
 

cheers guys! we are permanent residents (through FSW program) so we dont have work permits.

I just have it in my head that they employ the same strict screening process they have at their airports. not that I have anything to hide...!!

I have just checked Enterprise and quote from their website:

'KILOMETRES ARE UNLIMITED FOR TRAVEL WITHIN BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA, AND THE STATES OF WASHINGTON & OREGON'

So I guess that we should be fine!

Re: Visiting the States
 

Then take your PR cards.

But still tell them when you are doing the paperwork that you will be driving in WA.

Re: Visiting the States
 

Consider the amount of Liability Cover you have on the rental insurance. Crash in to a Yank and you could be bankrupt!

Also consider travel insurance.

One unusual thing - if you rent a car from Vancouver, there is a fair chance that it will be on Washington State plates anyway. I've had that on two occasions, but both were in the summer.

It is apparently often a result of people going on Alaska cruises from Vancouver who fly in to Seattle and do a one-way rental to Vancouver.

Re: Visiting the States
 

U.S Border official: "Have you ever told a lie?"...

[hint: the answer is "yes", or "no". If "yes", & asked to elaborate, "... but not to an immigration official", helps...]

Re: Visiting the States
 

Same procedure as at the airport, except they may search your vehicle and they collect the entry fee at secondary inspection (whereas by air it is included in the price of your ticket). You will get sent to secondary inspection, unlike a Canadian.

Re: Visiting the States
 

Answer their questions without hesitation and without a sense of humour, and it should go smoothly.

Re: Visiting the States
 

This is the best advice. I always answer without any hesitation, and very direct answers and no fluff and rarely have an issue, and the issues I have had are always coming back to Canada.

The last few trips into the US the officers have been pretty pleasant, maybe they have gotten some sensitivity training or something.

Re: Visiting the States
 

It could be that you're American. They treat Americans kinder than us "aliens". ;)

Re: Visiting the States
 

I94 must be paid for with a credit card (if they have a machine) or AMERICAN cash ! they will take your picture and finger prints.
Make sure you have adequate medical insurance (just in case)
No fruits or meats of any kind with you so be careful what snacks you have in the car.
You will have a hard time getting back into Canada without your TWP which to be honest should be stapled into your passport.
I mentioned payment because very small border crossings may not have a credit card machine and they don't accept any other currency except american, ex trucker here who had to perpetually get I94's When you reach the canadian side when you come home you should ask them about surrendering your I94 if your not planning to return to the USA, if it runs out and it's not returned the next time you want one to go into the states they may refuse you. And make sure you have your TWP with you, i know a border guard personally and people have been refused entry without them which would then put you in quite a pickle.
When you go inside the building to get your I94 dont take your phone with you, they don't like any chance of being filmed etc. Its unlikely in a rental you'll have a dash cam but if you did then turn it off and remove it from the dash, they can get real upset if they think they are being filmed or recorded and you don't want to upset them USA border guards they can be quite mean. TV shows have permission to film, you do not.
Ive actually been there when an american was going home, they gave him a very hard time before they let him through, i asked him how come and he told me he has that every time because once they allow him back in they can't get him out which doesnt make sense but he said he used to it after years of crossing into and out of Canada.

Re: Visiting the States
 

When you are being processed for the I94 you will need to give the addess in Mt. Baker so have it handy.They used to ask if you were a member of the Nazi party but dont ask that now! They will ask you if you have been in trouble with the law or ever been arrested ,just answer no.

Re: Visiting the States
 

FIFY

Re: Visiting the States
 

Whatever pleases you.

Re: Visiting the States
 

What does FIFY mean ?

Re: Visiting the States
 

Fixed it for you !

Re: Visiting the States
 

I'd only answer no if no is the truthful answer. I wouldn't lie to a customs official.

Re: Visiting the States
 

True it could be. I don't have a way of experiencing entering as a foreign national.

Re: Visiting the States
 

I have always found the American immigration guys to be very friendly and pleasant. I always try to have a joke with them, and it has always worked, from the guy in Buffalo who hunted out a special stamp in the shape of a Buffalo for the boys' passports when they were small, to the guy who was really interested in the Second World War and wanted to hear all about my parents experiences living through it, to the guy who, after a mixup with four and fore fingers that I have posted before, waived the fee for the I94.

Re: Visiting the States
 

All entries into the United states do require secuirity checks prior to entry. Make sure u do have all necessary paper work before departure.

Re: Visiting the States
 

If you are crossing at a land border there is no paper work to do before departure.

Anything else useless that youd like to add?

Re: Visiting the States
 

When they scan your passport and/or put in your details in for Canada if you have a criminal record they can see it ! No pre check required just wasting your time attempting to cross with a record.
Although i have been arrested in the UK i ALWAYS declared that arrest when crossing as a truck driver, worst thing you can do is lie to them because if you do you won't be going stateside ever again.

Re: Visiting the States
 

Not every border crossing (in BC) does this - only the major border crossings. And if you enter via a ferry, I've never been charged the $6 bucks.

Can hardly wait 'til my EDL arrives then I won't have to worry about border crossings anymore.

Re: Visiting the States
 

I crossed as a trucker so i only used major crossings or maybe being a trucker i HAD to have an I90 ? Being from Winnipeg most i know who crossed in their cars crossed at Emerson which definitely is a major crossing and they always had to get one. I do know of one trucker caught with an outdated I90 and he was arrested and taken to jail for a week or two.

Re: Visiting the States
 

Weve found the USA border and security people very friendly and helpful. The Canadian ones seem to be the grumps.