Another reason not to piss us off We have a nice selection of both green and white I94 waivers in our drawer I must return them to USCBP one day.

Nope - over here they are staffed by human beings - it was one of the busier crossings where they like to remind you that they have a badge and they are the boss.

Have done this before, not an issue.

I had to smile when I read this - we had a LONG conversation with a US immigration officer when we went across the border fairly late at night. The computer system was down and he couldn't process our application. We were offered coffee and told it would just be a few minutes - it was actually an hour. Hubby quizzed him about all sorts and then said - I probably shouldn't be talking to you this much but the guy just smiled and said 'we are human and enjoy a chat as much as anyone else - I'm not making notes!'

We did wonder what would happen if the computer didn't come back online as it would have been a long drive back to civilization in BC. He said that immigration officials are allowed to use discretion in those circumstances. Luckily we didn't have to find out if we passed that test as the computer came back online.

He was a nice guy and we see him pretty regularly when we cross over now.

J

No there is no proof of handing it back in but don't sweat it. Based on my earlier experience I would suggest that it is pretty flexible - after all if you are crossing from Canada you must have returned at some point. It's really not a big deal but I know that the first few times we crossed back and forth I was really worried about the whole process - now not so much.

J

Yep ..... I never initiate a jovial conversation with immigration officers but it is nice when they have a smile about something .... I try to reciprocate without looking like a jibbering idiot.

J

Anyone flown to the US from Canada on ESTA then driven back ? Is it a problem ?

I was under the impression that this was a problem, i.e.

Fly in on ESTA, then drive out = not OK
Drive in on I-94W, then fly out = OK

And I feel like I've read something official to this effect but right now I cannot for the life of me seem to find anything to back it up.

Anyone? Am I wrong about this?

Eligible nationals or citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program require either a travel authorization or a visa to transit the United States. If a traveler is only planning to transit through the United States en route to another country, when he or she completes the travel authorization application in ESTA, the traveler should enter the words "In Transit" and his or her final destination location in the address lines in the Address While In The United States field on the application.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHel...Help_1.htm#WP3

Why do you believe that this would not be OK. An ESTA is not trip specific.

Probably because of this
You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you:
•Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit
•Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country
•Have authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
•Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier
•Have a return or onward ticket
•Travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas
•Are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below:

Travel not terminating in contigous territory.

seems your point does not apply to residents of Canada, unless I've misunderstood.

More likely they might take issue with the lack of an onward or return ticket - although for a Canadian resident I can't see why you wouldn't be able to fly in on ESTA and drive back. Might need to explain that to the immigration official at your point of entry/pre-clearance, though.

We drove to Buffalo using an I94, flew to Seattle, took the train to Vancouver then flew back to Buffalo using an ESTA established from Toronto before the trip. This puzzled the relevant authorities. I imagine your plan will too.

I'd get an I94 in advance (by going to America for the day) then an ESTA, then you'll have more than you need. Too many permits is less likely to cause a ruckus than too few.

No you havent misunderstood if you are a resident of Canada or one of those contiguous territory then you are ok.
The problem is the poster being a resident of the UK does not legally qualify to fly into the US on an ESTA then drive into Canada. He could fly in on an ESTA in transit and then fly to Canada but not drive.

Is this supposed to read Citizen cause it sounds like he is a resident of Canada.