The I-751 (Canadian) Foreigner vs. The US Citizen

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Lol...as the I-751 wait gets longer for me and I have thoughts of travelling again soon, I thought it would be interesting for me to post the following regarding our travel documents:

"The Canadian Foreigner" (Ant)

Canadian Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate - N/A - $100 - 6 months wait (4 yrs for citizenship)

Canadian Passport - 5 years - $90 - 2 weeks wait

US Marriage Certificate - N/A - $40 - 1 week wait

Green Card- 2 years - $1000+ - 3 months wait

Green Card - 10 years - $545 - 6 months to 1 year wait

US Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate - N/A - $670 - 6 months wait (3 yrs for citizenship based on marriage)

American Passport - 10 years - $100 (or $20) - 4 weeks wait

Enhanced Driver's License - 8 years - $30 - 2 weeks wait

"The US Citizens" (D and Baby)

American Birth Certificate - N/A - $45 - 2 weeks wait

American Passport - 10 years - $100 (or $20 for card) - 4 weeks wait

Enhanced Driver's License - 8 years - $30 - 2 weeks wait

Lol..now tell me, who is getting the better baragin here travel-wise?...

Ant (Still waiting for the I-751, Still waiting for Baby...)

[Krikit 1,164]

I guess that comparison would make more sense if you included the cost for the US citizen to emigrate to Canada.

[antda 13]

Hmmm....interesting point there, Krikit, maybe someone else here on VJ would like to figure out the cost of that one too? Any VJers who are US Citizens who are immigrating to Canada instead can tell us about that? It would be interesting to know about that too.

Ant (Still waiting for I-751, Still waiting for Baby...)

P.S. On that note: I do know that to immigrate to Canada, one would have to be a PR in Canada first and then wait another 4 years to become a Canadian Citizen...It costs $100 and 6 months to get a Citizenship Card (at least that's what it was for my parents and me years ago)...the other costs of that is beyond me (hmm...maybe I should dig up my old files to find that one out...lol..and yes, I still have that 'Canadian record of landing' papers somewhere...)

I guess that comparison would make more sense if you included the cost for the US citizen to emigrate to Canada.

Edited March 30, 2009 by AntandD

[warlord 73]

What is an advanced drivers licence? Mine was a long time ago and was the same type everyone else got for the same duration. Are there non advanced licences now that are of a shorter duration and have a big stamp saying non-US citizen on them or something?

Just curious, haven't heard of it before...

[antda 13]

Hi Warlord,

In answer to your question, an "Enhanced Driver's License" is the following: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborder...7575704846.shtm

State-issued enhanced drivers licenses provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. These new documents are being developed by many states to comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Enhanced drivers licenses can be used by U.S. citizens instead of a passport to cross the border with Canada, Mexico. See more information about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements. Enhanced drivers licenses will make it quicker and easier to cross the border back into the United States because they will contain a vicinity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that will signal a computer to pull up your biographic and biometric data for the CBP Officer as you pull up to the border, and a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or barcode that the CBP officer can read electronically if RFID isn't available. Several border states are working with the Department to produce these enhanced drivers licenses.

Here is more information about EDL's in New York State:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/edl-main.htm

NYS began to issue WHTI-Compliant Enhanced driver licenses (EDL) (includes Enhanced learner permits) and Enhanced non-driver photo ID cards (ENDID) to applicants who can prove U.S. citizenship and NYS residency. An EDL or ENDID can be used instead of a passport at U.S. land and sea border crossings between Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.An EDL or ENDID is an approved travel identification document for land and sea border crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, and an EDL is also a driver license.

Basically it's a US Driver's License (in machine readable format), available to US Citizens only, which allows for them to travel the border, without carrying an extra piece of identification. They just "scan" your driver's license, and you're good to go over the border (for land and sea travel only)....

I think of it as "a cross between a driver's license and a passport"...lol...

Ant

What is an advanced drivers licence? Mine was a long time ago and was the same type everyone else got for the same duration. Are there non advanced licences now that are of a shorter duration and have a big stamp saying non-US citizen on them or something?

Just curious, haven't heard of it before...

Edited March 30, 2009 by AntandD

[trailmix 77]

The Canadian citizenship fee is $200 - you get the certificate with that - it's a combo - the certificate alone is $75

For a PR to apply it's around $1300

As for applying for citizenship in Canada - that is after 3 years of residency (must live there 3 years out of the last 4) - you don't necessarily have to be a PR first - ie it can be included in your time spent in Canada

"To become Canadian citizens, adults must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children do not need to meet this requirement.

You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if that time falls within the four-year period".

[antda 13]

Hi Trailmix,

Thanks for finding that information out right away! Wow, that's interesting to know indeed! I didn't know before about the changes regarding Canadian residency requirements either, as I assumed it was always 4 years, like before...

Interesting too, that prices for the combo has gone up over the years too...lol....(from $100 to $200)...

So let's see...

Canadian PR -$1300

Canadian Citizenship -$200 (3-4 years)

Total =$1500, 3-4 years

American PR - $??? (k visas, if applicable) + $1000+ (2 years green card) + $545 (10 years green card)

US Citizenship - $670 (3-5 years)

Total = $2000-$3000, 3-5 years

Lol..I think before citizenship the Canadians have the better baragain here, in terms of cost of Permanent Residency to Citizenship...Then why is it that everyone wants to immigrate to the USA instead? Odd, isn't it?....

Ant

The Canadian citizenship fee is $200 - you get the certificate with that - it's a combo - the certificate alone is $75

For a PR to apply it's around $1300

As for applying for citizenship in Canada - that is after 3 years of residency (must live there 3 years out of the last 4) - you don't necessarily have to be a PR first - ie it can be included in your time spent in Canada

"To become Canadian citizens, adults must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children do not need to meet this requirement.

You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if that time falls within the four-year period".

Edited March 30, 2009 by AntandD

[trailmix 77]

I don't know - there are many people in the U.S. - many people = a lot of money - I would say that is the driving force behind immigration to this country.

I mean it's a nice enough place, no better than Canada though in terms of living standard - and perhaps worse really imo.