Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Its been a month in Vancouver and now planning to visit a friend in Seattle for the weekend.

Our plan is to drive, however we are unsure on the entry/exit regulations at the USA/Canada border crossing.

Do we need to apply for ESTA for entry by road to the USA?

I understand we have to complete the I94 form and pay while entering and surrender this form back to the US authorities while returning to Canada.

But how can we surrender the I94 form to the US immigration authorities on the way back, as we will be entering the Canadian border where the Canada Immigration authorities will be dealing with the entry? This is important I believe to avoid any overstay issues in the USA.

If using bus/amtrak how does the I94 form works?

Any other practical info will be appreciated.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

An I-94 will cost $6 each, American dollars only and are valid for 3 months.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Thanks. But can you tell how I can surrender the I94 form back when returning to Canada? as I will be entering through the Canadian Immigration control and not the USA.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

On the way back you give your I94 to the Canadian immigration person.

Check how long they permit you to stay for - they write this on the I94. Even if I am just going for a day they normally give three months. If I am planning on reentering the US within that time then I do not surrender the I94 on the way back. That makes it simpler the next time - avoids getting out of the car, waiting in line and paying the $6 as I can use the same I94.

You don't need ESTA for a land crossing. I94s work the same if you cross by bus or train as if you go by car.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

You don't. In theory you can send it off to somewhere in Kentucky (or is it Tennessee?) when it's about to run out. In practice, in all the years I've been not doing so (I've lost count of the number of times I've not sent the damn things in before finding it still in my passport a couple of months later) I've never been stopped, questioned, or even had an eyebrow raised at me at the US border.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Great. So will the Canadian immigration officer collect and supply these I94 to the US side then?

There are mixed information from other threads where one is advised that Canadian side doesn't accept the USA I94.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

I have driven across many times, and the Canadian official has always accepted my I94. I usually have to ask them to take it out, though.

I assume they hand them over to the US people.

One time I didn't get it removed before it expired. The next time I crossed the Americans just took it out when they processed the new one - it was no problem.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

We handed our expired I-94s to the CBSA guy last week. No problem. Not the first time we have done this as we pop to the states on a minimum fortnightly basis.

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

As mentioned above keep it for as long as it is valid but under no circumstances try to enter the USA with an expired I-94 in your passport - they get emotional :thumbdown:

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Never IMX. Perhaps the border services people in your neck of the woods lack excitement and have to pounce on expired I94Ws to liven up their days?

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

+1 (Ogdensburg ,NY and Massena, NY crossings)

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Just to add my two penneth, when leaving the USA via road in November, I thought I was being helpful and handed the I94 to the Canadian Immigration officer (CBSA) and told her I wouldn't be returning to the USA within the next 3 months. She thought she was hilarious and said "well lets see if i'm going to let you into Canada first, eh".

So, don't bother trying to be helpful like me. I won't again. I had an old I94 in my passport from 2009 that I never handed back and nothing was said about it specifically. The US border officials did ask me when I had last been to the States and I informed them it was May 2009 and that was it. Nothing else said.

Cheers, katie :starsmile:

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

I've barely ever handed an I94 back at the border. I have been thoroughly chastised at the airport for still having one in my passport though.

The challenge now is that you're issued I94's at airports, but they don't put the green thingummyjig in your passport, so you have a valid stamp at the border, but often the border guard doesn't know that you don't need the form (just the stamp) for it to be valid now. I can think of 2 occasions in the last year that I've been sent to immigration, only to be sent away again when they realise I still have valid entry. Wish that they all kept up on the training...

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Isnt that a US problem as opposed to a Canadian one though;)

Re: Visiting the USA from Canada Options
 

Yeah, I don't think they really give a damn about VWP nationals at land borders into the US and the I-94W. Some CBP inspector commented to me that they don't really care or words to that effect. Only VWP nationals entering from Canada or Mexico even use the thing anymore.

Having said that I wouldn't personally put it to the test, because there's always one jobsworth somewhere.

You don't need to do ESTA for crossing by private vehicle or as a pedestrian but CBP do have access to the ESTA system, so if you have ESTA I think they care even less.

Anyway, if it's just a one-off trip, just hand it to CBSA at Peace Arch when you enter.