Visiting the States
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 44
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!
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!
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,850
Re: 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!
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!
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.
#3
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Visiting the States
Mmmm how much fun could I have with this one
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.
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.
#5
Re: 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!
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!
#6
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Visiting the States
Do we need to bring our papers and or passports?
do we even have to stop at the boarder for checks etc.?
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 44
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!
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!
#10
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Visiting the States
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!
'KILOMETRES ARE UNLIMITED FOR TRAVEL WITHIN BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA, AND THE STATES OF WASHINGTON & OREGON'
So I guess that we should be fine!
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, Super Natural British Columbia
Posts: 2,071
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.
Last edited by withabix; Dec 16th 2014 at 9:01 pm.
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
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...]
[hint: the answer is "yes", or "no". If "yes", & asked to elaborate, "... but not to an immigration official", helps...]
#13
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.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 1,371
Re: Visiting the States
Answer their questions without hesitation and without a sense of humour, and it should go smoothly.
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Visiting the States
The last few trips into the US the officers have been pretty pleasant, maybe they have gotten some sensitivity training or something.