Anyone travel to Canada by car recently?

[tammiandtom 0]

Just curious if it was smooth sailing, like it was coming back from the UK this summer. I guess I just want reassurance that the border patrol will know the extension letter and all that. DH won't have to get out of the car and go into the building will he?

We leave Friday.

Thanks!

[Lou Lou 1]

Just curious if it was smooth sailing, like it was coming back from the UK this summer. I guess I just want reassurance that the border patrol will know the extension letter and all that. DH won't have to get out of the car and go into the building will he?

We leave Friday.

Thanks!

I crossed the border weekly with the letter and had mixed encounters. It all depends on who you get, and whether they are familiar with the letter. Often I just passed through easily. One time, the officer did not know what it was, and went to check with someone. Another time, an officer called out another officer, and the guy recognized me and waved me through. Another time, I just had to go inside and explain to them what the letter was. They did a quick check on the computer and I was on my way. So, don't be worried even if you are called in. If the border is a quiet one and does not have experience with these letters, you just have to be patient and let them learn.

[QNBoston 0]

hello,

I was thinking travel with my wife to Canada this weekends, her GC will not expire until December. With the new rule regards to Passport to travel. Do we need a letter from the USCIS to ensure a safe return to the U.S? I see that you mentioned letter but was not sure what type of letter need.

if you can direct me to a site or instruct where I should obtain such documents for travel.

cheers

[tammiandtom 0]

Just curious if it was smooth sailing, like it was coming back from the UK this summer. I guess I just want reassurance that the border patrol will know the extension letter and all that. DH won't have to get out of the car and go into the building will he?

We leave Friday.

Thanks!

I crossed the border weekly with the letter and had mixed encounters. It all depends on who you get, and whether they are familiar with the letter. Often I just passed through easily. One time, the officer did not know what it was, and went to check with someone. Another time, an officer called out another officer, and the guy recognized me and waved me through. Another time, I just had to go inside and explain to them what the letter was. They did a quick check on the computer and I was on my way. So, don't be worried even if you are called in. If the border is a quiet one and does not have experience with these letters, you just have to be patient and let them learn.

Thanks!!!

hello,

I was thinking travel with my wife to Canada this weekends, her GC will not expire until December. With the new rule regards to Passport to travel. Do we need a letter from the USCIS to ensure a safe return to the U.S? I see that you mentioned letter but was not sure what type of letter need.

if you can direct me to a site or instruct where I should obtain such documents for travel.

cheers

US citizens don't currently need a passport to go to Canada. The letter I am talking about is the NOA which extends an expired green card for one year. You use it to travel after you've applied for the lifting of conditions. If your wife's GC is valid until December, that is all you need to travel (and her passport).

[tammiandtom 0]

Just to report that it was all smooth sailing going over the border and coming back home. Going there, the guy didn't even look at his letter. Coming back, the US Customs guy acted like he never saw one of those letters before. He goes, "so they extended this. what have you done since Feb, have you done anything to get your new card". Ugh. So my husband explained it to him. Then he let us through right away.

How could a customs person have never seen that letter before, I find that hard to believe. And why do they not get trained in that?

Oh well, it was easy! Next time we go, Tom should have his actual greencard.

[myfellah 0]

In answer to QN Boston, you don't have to have a letter when your green card hasn't expired yet. This person was talking about having filed to lift conditions and their card had expired before getting the new one, which happens to most. My husband and I made a trip in June to Canada for our 2nd wedding anniversary and it was fairly painless. When crossing back into the US they did make us both park and go into the building to check out his green card, not sure why but it didn't take long and they were very polite. If you already went, I hope it all went well and if you haven't gone yet, don't worry about it, it's easy.

Doreen

[Cassie 8]

hello,

I was thinking travel with my wife to Canada this weekends, her GC will not expire until December. With the new rule regards to Passport to travel. Do we need a letter from the USCIS to ensure a safe return to the U.S? I see that you mentioned letter but was not sure what type of letter need.

if you can direct me to a site or instruct where I should obtain such documents for travel.

cheers

US citizens don't currently need a passport to go to Canada. The letter I am talking about is the NOA which extends an expired green card for one year. You use it to travel after you've applied for the lifting of conditions. If your wife's GC is valid until December, that is all you need to travel (and her passport).

They do if they are travelling by air. Right now until September 30th, exceptions are being made due to long processing times -- you have to provide proof that you have applied for the passport and they will let you on the plane (with other photo ID, of course). By January 1 of next year, a USC will need a passport to travel to Canada by land, air and sea.

[smushtaq 0]

Me and my wife travelled to Canada over the Labor Day wknd. We crossed over the border through the tunnel at Detroit to Windsor and on our way back crossed over the bridge from Niagara Falls into NY. Both times, my wife just showed her expired GC. Actually due to a dumb mistake on my part ... we actually crossed into the US from Niagara Falls then went back over and came right back into the US. Both times, my wife just showed her expired GC w/o the letter and the border agent didn't even look at the card. I wouldn't use this as a generalization ... make sure to have the extension letter with you just in case ...

shahab