Travel from U.S. to Canada...

[A & C 22]

Hey All,

I have a few questions regarding travel from the US to Canada. I recent completed my biometrics to remove my conditional residency and get my 10 year greencard. I am thinking of traveling back to Canada soon and I am planning on being there for possibly 3-4 months. First of all, how long am I allowed to be outside of the US? And I have a young child (9 months) who will be traveling with me, does anyone know if I need a letter from my Husband stating that I can travel out of the country with her? Any help would be great! Thanks

[Transborderwife 4,666]

3-4 months should be fine. I have a sister who had brain cancer just after my mother received her 10 yr greencard and she was gone about 2 months twice in an annual period to help out.

As for the child, providing that you all have the same last name (you, husband, child) you should be fine. If it'd make you feel better, get him to write a travel letter, have it notarized.

[warlord 73]

You can theoretically be out as long as you want, but that doesn't mean you'll be allowed back into the country. If you are just travelling and aren't raising flags (such as having a place and working outside the US) or the INS doesn't see any other oddities (such as repeat visits for long duration with very short term stays in the US, than yes you'll be fine...

Edited June 19, 2015 by warlord

[A & C 22]

Okay thank you both for the replies. In my 2 years of living here I have only been back to Canada once for 3 weeks and that was with my Husband and daughter. My daughter and I have the opportunity to stay in Canada for a longer period of time this go around. Our plan is to travel (the 3 of us) to Canada at the end of August, while my Husband will only be there for 2 weeks, my Daughter and I will be there for an extra 6 weeks. We are flying from Kentucky to Washington and traveling through the border via vehicle (cheapest way) and our plan is to bring my Husband back to Washington when his vacation is up so he can travel home and get back to work. I am wondering if they will find it weird for my daughter and I to enter the US in the morning and then later that day after we drop him off at the airport to enter back in to Canada.

[Loki_Go 126]

If this is your first time crossing the border with your child, yes, get a letter from your husband. Include contact info.

[Ontarkie 14,218]

Get the letter it will save you the stress. If they ask you have it.

We went back to Canada with my 18 yr old and 2 yr old and because she had a different last name they were going to ask for a letter for her till the guy asked her how old she was.

It didn't matter that she was Canadian and her father lives in Canada they wanted that letter till she told them how old she was. (He didn't look in the passport for more then a split second)