Hi all, a question for you.
We have a Greencard. Both David and I have valid drivers liscences.
My mum, brother and sister-in-law are coming over for 2 weeks starting from tomorrow.
They expressed a desire to go up to Niagara.
The problem is my passport ran out and I didnt know until just around about 12 days ago, Becca is on my passport also. I sent off for new passports the next day after I found out. The trouble is, I do not think they will get back in time for when we go to Niagara.
The previous 2 times we went across we used passports....the first time cos I hadnt gotten my drivers permit and the second time because we had loads of UK visitors and I think that immigration got confused (they wanted to see passports, Greencard and Drivers permit).
What I am worried about is that again we have UK visitors with us.........will immigration let myself and Becca through on just a Greencard??
Last thing I want is for us all is to get caught up in immigration for hours, I would rather stay on the Ammuurrrican side of the Falls with Becca while the others go across the border than cause a load of hassle.
Mandy
from what I've heard, a green card and DL is sufficient to get into Canada / USA from the border.
of course, I've never done it so I am not 100% sure.
However, once I started presenting my Green Card at the border, the Canadians stopped stamping my passport.
Does a Green card have a photo?
I ask that because I assume that the regulations regarding either US or Canadians crossing into each others countries would be similar.
As a naturalized Canadian I'm required to have 2 pieces of identification that have photo ID to get into the US and back to Canada. I always take my citizenship card that has my photo and the DL.
If the Green card doesn't have a photo it might not be enough. US customs should be able to tell you.
I don't think you will have much trouble going into Canada on just a green card and a license.
HOWEVER you might have trouble coming back into the US especially at a major border crossing.
Last time we went up they wanted to see passports going both ways, though they didn't seem to notice that our sons ran out whilst we were in Canada. oops
Thanks for everyones input.
Greencard does have a photo.
Wendl........exactly the problem I am afraid of....immigration with a stick up their bums on the day we wish to cross. We have had the problem before when they wish to see everything. I cant think of anything worse than all of us stuck in immigation because we havent got passports as well as 2 items of photo ID.
The trouble is, it seems that they can make all their own rules up and in this particular case be as lenient or as tight assed as they want to be.
Mandy
Have experienced some really crappy immigration officers going over to Niagara and back. Never tried it with a greencard though. Can't say I'd risk it -I hope you get yout passports back in time -you may -Beest's was very quick.
Don't go over the 'Peace Bridge' between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario,
The guys on the U.S side are w*nkers. I've never met such a bunch of failed cops in my life (and I've been over it many times). The border guards on the Canadian side aren't much better.
There's a smaller crossing called Queenston, between Niagara Falls (the Whirlpool Bridge) and Fort Erie/Buffalo. I've always found it a bit better.
Thanks everyone....will probably not attempt it unless the passports come back in time.....too many variables to risk it.
Will have to have a look round the only shop on the American side ) Burlingtons I think it is......or maybe look for a Mall nearby so the others can all go across and look at the falls from the Canadian side.
Although it has not officially been announced yet, the U.S State Dept. is expected to announce soon that all Americans (and presumably everyone else too) will have to use full passports when crossing the border into Canada or Mexico.
Similarly Foreign Affairs here is expected to announce Canadians needing full passports to enter the U.S and re-enter Canada.
Looks like you were bang on Lee......this just announced in todays Guardian.
U.S. to Tighten Border Controls by 2008
By BARRY SCHWEID AP Diplomatic Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans will need passports to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Panama and Bermuda by 2008, part of a tightening of U.S. border controls in an era of terrorist threat, three administration officials said Tuesday.
Similarly, Canadians will also have to present a passport to enter the United States, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Canadians have been the only foreigners allowed to enter the United States with just a driver's license.
An announcement, expected later Tuesday at the State Department, will specify that a passport or another valid travel document will have to be shown by U.S. citizens, the officials said.
These include a document called Sentri that is used for Mexico travel or a Nexus for Canada travel.
Until now, Americans returning home from Canada have needed only to show a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification card.
Americans returning from Mexico, Panama or Bermuda currently need only a government-issued photo identification card plus proof of U.S. citizenship like an original birth or naturalization certificate, according to the State Department's Web site.
The new rules, to be phased in by Jan. 1, 2008, were called for in intelligence legislation approved last year by Congress.
Safeguarding U.S. borders are a top concern of U.S. intelligence and security officials. The concern increased after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and on the Pentagon.
The travel industry has raised concerns that the changes might hamper tourism, one official said.
The announcement follows a three-way summit last month that President Bush held with Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada and President Vicente Fox of Mexico.
Speaking at Baylor University at Waco, Tex., Bush said border controls with Mexico had to be tightened to make sure that terrorists, drug runners, gun runners and smugglers do not enter the United States.
Besides a passport, re-entering Americans could use another approved travel document like frequent travel cards, which are issued to some people who travel often between the U.S. and Mexico. These cards typically are used to avoid long border-crossing lines.
But in most cases, only passports will do, another U.S. official said.
The new system will deal first with the Caribbean, then Mexico and Canada. It will start at airports and subsequently spread to land crossings, said an official speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. inspectors will bear less of a burden with the changes because they won't have to sift through different kinds of travel documents, the officials said.
i have crossed the border many times from various points. the last time we just told the officer how great he looked in shorts. he didn't even check our ids.
does that help? D
i have crossed the border many times from various points. the last time we just told the officer how great he looked in shorts. he didn't even check our ids.
does that help? :D
You think that would work for these guys?
http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/terrorists/fugitives.htm