- Exceptions :
However, there are a few categories of Canadian people for whom entering the US requires a passport. Such as:
- Treaty traders (Visa E)
- Fiancé/és (Visa K-1) and the children of the foreign citizen fiancé(e) (Visa K-2)
- Spouses of lawful permanent residents (Visa V-1) and the children of those spouses (Visa V-2) traveling to reside in the U.S. while awaiting final completion of the process of immigration.
Besides there are Canadian citizens who while traveling to the US, require non-immigrant visas. Such as:
- Foreign government officials (Visa A) entering the US for temporary or permanent assignment
- Officials and employees of international organizations (Visa G) entering the US for temporary or permanent assignment
- NATO officials representatives and employees if they are being assigned to the US
- Immigration from Canada to US :
Immigration from Canada to the US can take place in various forms and capacity. Some of the technical aspects related to such movement can be briefly highlighted here:
a)Travel with or by Children
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial rights. If anybody is planning to travel to the United States with a child, he/she should carry documentation proving his/her custodial rights, especially for very young children.
b) Passports
The US Visa Waiver Program requires visitors from various countries to have Machine Readable Passports to enter the US. Although this requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens even if the passport is issued abroad, however, non-citizen permanent residents of Canada (and their children) as well as other people (as mentioned above) require a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States. or alternative secure document (still to be determined) for entry of all visitors, including Americans and Canadians, to the United States.
c) Dual Nationality
Some Canadians can have American as well as Canadian citizenship (through birth in the United States or through naturalization or descent). Although this is will not create problems while traveling to the United States, but it is always preferable to have a proper understanding of one's status under the US law, which states that "Most US citizens, including dual nationals, must use a US passport to enter and leave the United States." One should ensure that he/she must carry with himself/herself to the United States a valid Canadian passport as proof of Canadian citizenship which will ensure his/her right to re-enter Canada.
d) Registered Indian Status (Jay Treaty)
If one has Registered Indian Status in Canada, then he/she may qualify for special US Immigration procedures, derived from the Jay Treaty of 1794, that enable him/her to live and work in the United States without undergoing the normal immigration process. However, a Canadian Certificate of Indian Status (Form 1A-1395) alone may not be sufficient to entry the US, as the latter requires that applicants must possess at least 50 percent North American Indian blood to meet the entitlement.
e) Canadian Retirees/Snowbirds
A maximum admission period of six months is expected to be the norm for Canadian retirees seeking to winter in warmer climates. An application can be made for longer stays.
f) Criminal Record
If any potential visitor to the US has a criminal record, then he/she could be refused to enter the United States (problem can occur even in traveling through US airport facilities). A pardon for an offence issued by Canadian authorities is not recognized under US law, for entering the United States.
g) Boating in US Waters
All those Canadian boaters traveling frequently to the United States in pleasure craft smaller than five net tons and for less than 72 hours can obtain a Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (Form I-68) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
h) Cruises
All those Canadians who enter the United States on their way to join sea cruises to other countries must have a valid Canadian passport, not only for the trip, but to re-enter the United States at the end of the cruise.
i) Working in the US
All those Canadians relocating to the US for employment purpose should contact the appropriate Canadian and US agencies to ensure they are entitled to social benefits, including pension plans.
j) Studying in the US
Canadian students are no longer allowed to study in the United States without a valid Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) as well as other eligibilities required to be fulfilled, such as: sufficient funds, scholastic and linguistic proficiency, etc.
k) Border Fees
Canadian citizens (as well as landed immigrants from member countries of the Commonwealth and Ireland) who are entering the United States to study or work need to pay the American border officials a fee of US$6 per person, payable only in US dollars, to obtain an arrival/departure document (Form I-94). Temporary visitors for business or pleasure or to travellers arriving in the United States by air are exempted to pay such fee.
New Requirements for Travelers :
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 in the US holds that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada need to have passport or other valid document to enter/re-enter the United States.
The new policy will be implemented by phases. While by January 8, 2007 all kinds of air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, will be brought under jurisdiction, by December 31, 2007, the rule will cover all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
For more information please refer to www.mapsofworld.com .
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