If I don’t need a visa, I can just cross, right?
You are in Canada either as a visitor or a permanent resident and you want to travel to the United States for a holiday. You may not need a visa to enter the United States, but you may have to sign up through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
You must sign up for ESTA if:
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- You are a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country.
- You are currently not in possession of a visitor’s visa.
- Your travel is for 90 days or less.
- You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure.
ESTA is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. As of Jan. 12, 2009, any person entering the United States under the visa waiver program is required to hold an approved ESTA Travel Authorization.
The ESTA application collects the same information collected on Form I-94W. ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans.
More About ESTA:
- Travelers transiting through the United States must also possess an approved ESTA application.
- According to Department of Homeland Security, 99 percent of all ESTA applications are approved within 5 seconds.
- If your ESTA application is denied, you must apply for a U.S. visitor visa.
You do not need to sign up through ESTA if you are a Canadian citizen and are traveling to the United States for pleasure. However, Canadian citizens entering the United States for work may need a visa.
I’m a Canadian citizen and I will like to know. My passport will be expired on Dec 19, 2009 I will like to travel to the united states for thanksgiving Nov 26, 09 I want to know if my passport will be okay to travel with.
Thanks
As long as your passport is still valid when you leave the United States to return to Canada, you are fine to travel.
Some countries require that a passport is valid for at least six months from date of entry or departure from that country, but not the United States. When you return to Canada, make sure you renew your passport — but remember that you can’t travel out of the country until you receive your new one.
On the other hand, if a foreigner is entering the United States on a work permit, U.S. immigration may only approve the visa up until the expiration date on the passport. So, it’s best to make sure a passport will not expire for at least a week after the approved length of time for a work visa. For example, if you are applying for a three-year TN visa, make sure your passport is valid for at least three years and one week from your planned date of entry into the United States.