Dual Citizen Travelling back to Canada.....

[Hugglebuggles 60]

My brother tried to enter the US this spring with a Canadian EDL and they told him it wasn't acceptable documentation. The border guard said the Canadian side accepts them but the American side does not, eventhough there are postings on the DHS website and at the border itself listing it as an acceptable alternative to a passport. Maybe it was because he didn't have his birth certificate? Or maybe it was before the passport laws were in place? But the border guard told him that he was lucky he felt nice today and let him in anyways after I swore he was my brother and a Canadian citizen.

Getting a passport may be difficult and unpleasant for you, but I can almost guarantee you'll be a very happy woman when you finally have it. Just my two cents. Have fun in Canada

[Flames9_RN 358]

where I work, it appears many of us staff are foreigners, that became usa citizens, and they all have passports and had no problems at all with sending the cert away!!

[SapphireDreams 71]

My brother tried to enter the US this spring with a Canadian EDL and they told him it wasn't acceptable documentation. The border guard said the Canadian side accepts them but the American side does not, eventhough there are postings on the DHS website and at the border itself listing it as an acceptable alternative to a passport. Maybe it was because he didn't have his birth certificate? Or maybe it was before the passport laws were in place? But the border guard told him that he was lucky he felt nice today and let him in anyways after I swore he was my brother and a Canadian citizen.

Getting a passport may be difficult and unpleasant for you, but I can almost guarantee you'll be a very happy woman when you finally have it. Just my two cents. Have fun in Canada

That's interesting. I wonder if it's because the US only accepts the US EDL? and not the CDN verson?

I would never get an EDL. I will just get a passport when the time comes. I mainly travel by air, so I would need to get a passport regardless.

Ant - I know you are scared of losing the Naturalization certificate when you apply for your passport, but if it does get lost and you get your passport, and you have a copy of it, I'm sure there would be a way to replace it without having to pay for a new one, especially if you have a record of just receiving a new passport etc.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Nothing to contribute to this thread other than to say happy birthday to Ant! What a great early birthday present you received!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

My brother tried to enter the US this spring with a Canadian EDL and they told him it wasn't acceptable documentation. The border guard said the Canadian side accepts them but the American side does not, eventhough there are postings on the DHS website and at the border itself listing it as an acceptable alternative to a passport. Maybe it was because he didn't have his birth certificate? Or maybe it was before the passport laws were in place? But the border guard told him that he was lucky he felt nice today and let him in anyways after I swore he was my brother and a Canadian citizen.

Getting a passport may be difficult and unpleasant for you, but I can almost guarantee you'll be a very happy woman when you finally have it. Just my two cents. Have fun in Canada

That's interesting. I wonder if it's because the US only accepts the US EDL? and not the CDN verson?

I would never get an EDL. I will just get a passport when the time comes. I mainly travel by air, so I would need to get a passport regardless.

Ant - I know you are scared of losing the Naturalization certificate when you apply for your passport, but if it does get lost and you get your passport, and you have a copy of it, I'm sure there would be a way to replace it without having to pay for a new one, especially if you have a record of just receiving a new passport etc.

Humm, good point. Never thought of that. If thats the case then how stupid is that, really. I mean, whats the point? I guess its good for Americans to reenter the US, but then what did they use to get into Canada? A passport? If they have a passport then there is no point in having an EDL. I'm not really sure why they implemented the EDL system in the first place. I really think everyone should have a passport... You'll need it someday, at some point.

[Ontarkie 14,535]

Happy birthday Ant

[Malrothien 6]

My brother tried to enter the US this spring with a Canadian EDL and they told him it wasn't acceptable documentation. The border guard said the Canadian side accepts them but the American side does not, eventhough there are postings on the DHS website and at the border itself listing it as an acceptable alternative to a passport. Maybe it was because he didn't have his birth certificate? Or maybe it was before the passport laws were in place? But the border guard told him that he was lucky he felt nice today and let him in anyways after I swore he was my brother and a Canadian citizen.

Getting a passport may be difficult and unpleasant for you, but I can almost guarantee you'll be a very happy woman when you finally have it. Just my two cents. Have fun in Canada

That's interesting. I wonder if it's because the US only accepts the US EDL? and not the CDN verson?

I would never get an EDL. I will just get a passport when the time comes. I mainly travel by air, so I would need to get a passport regardless.

Ant - I know you are scared of losing the Naturalization certificate when you apply for your passport, but if it does get lost and you get your passport, and you have a copy of it, I'm sure there would be a way to replace it without having to pay for a new one, especially if you have a record of just receiving a new passport etc.

Humm, good point. Never thought of that. If thats the case then how stupid is that, really. I mean, whats the point? I guess its good for Americans to reenter the US, but then what did they use to get into Canada? A passport? If they have a passport then there is no point in having an EDL. I'm not really sure why they implemented the EDL system in the first place. I really think everyone should have a passport... You'll need it someday, at some point.

They accept BC EDL's. Maybe it was a province at the time that wasn't accepted?

[warlord 73]

Well Border Guards don't always know the latest rules or they choose to just make it more difficult for people sometimes. Accroding to the Michigan Government website, the EDL is the only identification you would need crossing over to Canada and back into Michigan, eliminating the need for a Passport.

I just think not all border personelle are upto date on everything or just chose to be pains...

[Edmontongirl 0]

Do any of you have a NEXUS card? It only costs $50 for 5 years, and you can use it for land or air crossing from the US into Canada. They scan your iris, and the machine spits out a card that you hand to the customs officer with your declaration card (at least when flying). If you are traveling by land, you have to have a NEXUS card for everyone in the vehicle, but it really expedites things at customs. I am a US citizen and new Canadian citizen, and I applied for the card online (at the suggestion of a customs officer who has seen me crossing at our airport more than a few times). It took around a week to get conditional approval, and then I went with my original documents to the local customs office to get my baseline eye scan. The appointment took around 20 min. I received the card in the mail around 1-2 weeks later. You never part with your documents in this process. To cross over, you just scan at the machine, and you have to have your card and passport(s) on you but you don't present them. So in fact you never chat with the customs people unless you randomly get a card that selects you for a visit (hasn't happened for me yet).

Anyway, it has saved me SOOOOO much time traveling, regardless of the customs line ups I walk straight off the plane, through the nexus machine, and out to my car in < 10 min. It is truly a thing of beauty if you are traveling frequently.

FYI kids can get them as well and don't need the iris scan.

Edmontongirl

[Malrothien 6]

I chose not to get the Nexus card because they are a lot more strict on goods purchased outside of Canada. Don't want to deal with additional paperwork.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'd consider getting a NEXUS card if I traveled enough to make it worthwhile. When I do travel, it's usually by plane, so an EDL probably wouldn't amount to much. I guess it'd be useful if my wife and I wanted to drive into the U.S., but that probably wouldn't occur too often.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I've got a NEXUS pass, and it has been very convenient for when I've driven down to Seattle to fly out, or conversely to pick up my wife. I typically don't bring anything of value back with me across the border, so that's never been a concern -- I keep my declaration cards in the glovebox just in case, of course.

I initially got the card because at the time, it looked like my wife and I were going to move to Bellingham, with me commuting to Surrey, and her commuting to Seattle. We changed our minds after the fact...though the card still comes in handy.

I must admit, I DID wish that the enhanced security check associated with getting a NEXUS card would expedite the security check at the USCIS level. Then again, maybe it did.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Here are more Replies to your replies:

Malrothien-Lol..that's it! That's what the "barcode thingy" is called...an RFID.....

All passports, green cards, and EDLs have such, which makes them good for international/cross-border travels!...

The EDL has an RFID in it.

Warlord-Yeah, not too many people have heard of Enhanced Driver's Licenses, be it that it is a new thing (only started last year), and that only a few states/provinces near that border have such. But yeah, it's neat that they have such, and it is convenient and less expensive to get such, so it's a good alternative to a passport. They are only good for land/sea travel between certain countries such as USA/Canada though. So for flying and other international countries, a standard passport book is still needed. Hope that they have EDLs for other states later on too.....Definitely better to get that!

I guess not living near the border at all explains why I've never heard of this Enhanced Drivers Licence. Didn't know that one could use that, but cool if they do. Since yeah, if you don't live near a passport office, that can definatly make expediating it very difficult I'd imagine...

Hugglesbuggles-That's odd that your brother's Canadian EDL didn't work in the USA. That's what EDLs are supposed to be for, travel between Canada and the USA! And if it has an RFID on it, they should accept it, just like a green card and/or passport! Lol..Guess it was because the border guard was clueless somewhat there? Well, if that is the case, maybe the next time your brother travels, he should bring along information that proves that his EDL is good for cross-border land travel. And who knows, maybe next time around he'll encounter a border guard this is more knowledgable with this type of documentation too. No birth certificate is needed either, if one has an EDL, so that's not the issue here. And EDLs are new, and were made after passport guidelines were made, so that's not the issue either. Glad though, that despite the hard time, the border guard did let your borther through. Hope his travels next time are better. Lol..and if he can't use his Canadian EDL..seriously, he should demand a refund for such, so that he can exchange it for a Canadian passport. What's the point of getting an EDL if he can't even use it? Weird..

As for me getting a US passport, I agree, it is difficult and unpleasant for me. If they change the rules about land border crossings, and I have no other choice, then yes, I'll have to get a US passport (lol..and convince my husband to get one too...he's a USC by birth..and he still doesn't have one! Oh and he still hasn't registered to vote either, so I beat him to that one too as I just registered recently..lol...). I am though, thinking about getting one for my son later on, as they don't EDLs for babies (not that I know of), and carrying an original birth certificate might not be a good idea for many trips...So we'll see who gets theirs first in my family..me, my husband, or my son..I'm placing my bet on my son though...lol...Meanwhile, both my husband and I are happy with the EDL...good for 8 years......And yes, we did have fun in Canada when we went recently with my new EDL!...

My brother tried to enter the US this spring with a Canadian EDL and they told him it wasn't acceptable documentation. The border guard said the Canadian side accepts them but the American side does not, eventhough there are postings on the DHS website and at the border itself listing it as an acceptable alternative to a passport. Maybe it was because he didn't have his birth certificate? Or maybe it was before the passport laws were in place? But the border guard told him that he was lucky he felt nice today and let him in anyways after I swore he was my brother and a Canadian citizen.

Getting a passport may be difficult and unpleasant for you, but I can almost guarantee you'll be a very happy woman when you finally have it. Just my two cents. Have fun in Canada

Flames9_RN-Glad your co-workers had no problems getting their US passport and sending their certificate away. I hope that when/if I do eventually get a US passport, that the same good luck would happen to me too, like it did for you and your co-workers!

where I work, it appears many of us staff are foreigners, that became usa citizens, and they all have passports and had no problems at all with sending the cert away!!

SapphireDreams-I wonder the same thing too...Why the US doesn't accept a CDN EDL? That's what EDLs are supposed to be for, travel between Canada and the USA! And if it has an RFID on it, they should accept it, just like a green card and/or passport! Oh well....

It's good that you're getting a passport, as that is what is needed for air travel anyways! Good luck with that when the time comes. And remember that when you apply for one, you will need to send in your original (not photocopy) naturalization certificate, and they will send it back to you by mail. So make one copy (you can make one copy for personal use, but no more than that) before you send it off, just in case they lose it and you have to get it replaced (hope that doesn't happen to you, as it doesn't happen to a lot of people, but you never know).

True, that if they lose my naturalization certificate, and they send me my passport, I will have my passport to prove US Citizenship (but could take 4-6 weeks to get for normal processing to get such..and in the meantime I'll be without a naturalization certificate or a passport),. But regardless, I would still need my naturalization certificate back, especially since it my first proof of US Citizenship which I would need for future passports, it took so long to get such through the entire immigration process, and I paid so much($675+) for it. Lol..and it costs $400+ for a replacement and dealing with the USCIS again...forget it.....It's one thing to lose a passport, but another to lose a naturalization certificate. And without either..well...I have no proof of US Citizenship...that's not good.....So I'm not worried about the passport getting lost in the mail, but rather the certificate getting lost..that's my main concern. And until the passport agency can come up with something extra that can guarantee such back with no problems..I'm not the passport option is for me. Oh well, I haven't ruled it out yet...For now it's a no, but we'll see later on down the road....

That's interesting. I wonder if it's because the US only accepts the US EDL? and not the CDN verson?

I would never get an EDL. I will just get a passport when the time comes. I mainly travel by air, so I would need to get a passport regardless.

Ant - I know you are scared of losing the Naturalization certificate when you apply for your passport, but if it does get lost and you get your passport, and you have a copy of it, I'm sure there would be a way to replace it without having to pay for a new one, especially if you have a record of just receiving a new passport etc.

Wyatt'sTorch-Thanks for the birthday wishes...It was nice to get such right before my birthday, indeed! And yes, we did have fun in Canada when we went recently, with my new EDL!...

Nothing to contribute to this thread other than to say happy birthday to Ant! What a great early birthday present you received!

Hugglebuggles-I wonder the same thing too...Why the US doesn't accept a CDN EDL? That's what EDLs are supposed to be for, travel between Canada and the USA! And if it has an RFID on it, they should accept it, just like a green card and/or passport! Oh well....

In that case, maybe he should get a Canadian Passport. After all, what is the point of an EDL if he can't use it?

As for a passport...depends on what one's travels are or not as to whether or not they need it right away....

If only they made the process easier and less expensive on both sides of the border.....

I see both negatives and positives in both the US and Canadian passports, in terms of getting any at all....

Lol...My husband still doesn't have a passport.....Try convincing him first that he needs one...lol......(that's another story)...

On an interesting note: Since they changed the rules recently about travel, there have been more people getting passports....Is that a good sign?

Humm, good point. Never thought of that. If thats the case then how stupid is that, really. I mean, whats the point? I guess its good for Americans to reenter the US, but then what did they use to get into Canada? A passport? If they have a passport then there is no point in having an EDL. I'm not really sure why they implemented the EDL system in the first place. I really think everyone should have a passport... You'll need it someday, at some point.

Ontarkie-Thanks for the birthday wishes...And yes, we did have fun in Canada when we went recently, with my new EDL!...

Happy birthday Ant

Warlord-Lol..I agree, the Border Guards and/or Immigration Officials don't always know the latest rules and/or can be picky at times. But as a traveller, we should be as much informed as we can, so that we can "tell them to do their job properly". And yes, the EDL eliminates the need for a passport for land/sea travel, so there shouldn't be any problems with this....

Well Border Guards don't always know the latest rules or they choose to just make it more difficult for people sometimes. Accroding to the Michigan Government website, the EDL is the only identification you would need crossing over to Canada and back into Michigan, eliminating the need for a Passport.

I just think not all border personelle are upto date on everything or just chose to be pains...

Edmontongirl-Thanks for telling us about your experience with the NEXUS cards. Sounds like a good deal there too...$50 for 5 years. Does it have to be renewed after those 5 years?....and cool that they do the iris scan and are available for kids too. Hmm..perhaps can consider that later too. Where does one apply for such? At the border? Consulate? Elsewhere? How does the application process work? What questions do they ask at the interview? Are there any conditions/restrictions on the card? Yes, I have seen Nexus lanes while driving across the border, which are quick and no traffic, so I know what you mean there about it saving time. And yeah, not chatting with border folks can be less stressful too. I go to Canada a few times a year on average and we live only a few hours away by land from the border...so not sure how it will work for us...Good though that this option is available too. Thanks for explaining....

Do any of you have a NEXUS card? It only costs $50 for 5 years, and you can use it for land or air crossing from the US into Canada. They scan your iris, and the machine spits out a card that you hand to the customs officer with your declaration card (at least when flying). If you are traveling by land, you have to have a NEXUS card for everyone in the vehicle, but it really expedites things at customs. I am a US citizen and new Canadian citizen, and I applied for the card online (at the suggestion of a customs officer who has seen me crossing at our airport more than a few times). It took around a week to get conditional approval, and then I went with my original documents to the local customs office to get my baseline eye scan. The appointment took around 20 min. I received the card in the mail around 1-2 weeks later. You never part with your documents in this process. To cross over, you just scan at the machine, and you have to have your card and passport(s) on you but you don't present them. So in fact you never chat with the customs people unless you randomly get a card that selects you for a visit (hasn't happened for me yet).

Anyway, it has saved me SOOOOO much time traveling, regardless of the customs line ups I walk straight off the plane, through the nexus machine, and out to my car in < 10 min. It is truly a thing of beauty if you are traveling frequently.

FYI kids can get them as well and don't need the iris scan.

Edmontongirl

Ant

Edited December 11, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[BritishGuy36 0]

That's what the "barcode thingy" is called...an RFID.....

Nope. That's just a machine readable strip of characters.

RFID = Radio Frequency ID

It's a chip that's in passports these days, that can be read without physical contact via a certain type of radio device.

[Malrothien 6]

It's also in the new enhanced driver's license which is why there is a huge controversy about them.