U.S. Canada Border Blog

How do I apply for or renew a Canadian passport?

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:53:15 +0000

You’re a Canadian citizen traveling or residing abroad and you suddenly realize that your Canadian passport has expired. Are you going to be allowed back into Canada with an expired passport? Probably, since countries must welcome back their citizens. But, it’s best to obtain a replacement before you travel via land or water across international boundaries. You [...]

What happens if a U.S. visa is lost or stolen?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:11:25 +0000

Oh no! Your U.S. visitor visa or your valid passport with a 10-year U.S. visitor visa attached is lost or stolen. Now what do you do? 1. Go to the police station in the city or town where your documents were lost or stolen and file a police report. The police may want to see copies [...]

Nonimmigrant visa application fees increase as of June 4

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:00:29 +0000

Blame inflation, but it's getting more expensive to apply for a nonimmigrant visa.

Nonimmigrant visa application fees -- also called Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) and Border Crossing Card (BCC) fees -- have increased as of June 4 to cover the cost of processing them. This increase applies both to nonimmigrant visas placed in passports and to border crossing cards issued to certain applicants in Mexico.

Is a U.S. birth abroad certificate enough to enter the United States?

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:00:08 +0000

A Canadian citizen has a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad certificate and will be entering the United States as more than just a visitor — for school or work. She doesn’t have time to apply for a U.S. passport. Is the birth abroad certificate enough to cross without problems? Short answer, yes. She should have [...]

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:39:21 +0000

Are you a Canadian Permanent Resident/Landed Immigrant or a foreign national — a non-Canadian citizen — in Canada and want to visit the United States for a brief stay? If you are not a citizen of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries, you will need to obtain a visitor visa in order to enter the [...]

Greece now a member of the Visa Waiver Program

Jodi Sokolowski — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:37:01 +0000

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) March 9, 2010. Greek nationals can travel on the VWP beginning [...]

Passport office to open in downtown Buffalo

Jodi Sokolowski — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:00:41 +0000

In a move that breathes symbolism, a U.S. passport office will open this fall in the Genesee Gateway building — aptly named for being an entrance into downtown Buffalo’s business district. The General Services Administration (GSA) for the U.S. Department of State signed a lease for approximately 10,000 square feet in the building for the [...]

I lost my U.S. passport or Green Card. Help!

Michael Serotte — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:49:52 +0000

Traveling without a passport may be worse than driving without a driver’s license because your passport confirms your citizenship, while a driver’s license just permits you to drive a vehicle. More importantly, a passport allows you to travel internationally (except in cases where you also need a visa) and, of course, back into your home [...]

Can an approved I-130 be revoked if not acted upon?

Michael Serotte — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:49:52 +0000

A Canadian family has put their plans to move to the States on hold. Jon’s* wife, who is an American Citizen, petitioned for Jon and their adult daughter, Anne*, to obtain Green Cards. Jon obtained his, while Anne’s I-130 application was approved in the spring, and she now needs to process for her Green Card [...]

Does my passport have to be valid for six months beyond my trip to the U.S.?

Michael Serotte — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:28:02 +0000

You are planning to vacation in the United States and your suitcase is packed, the hotel and flights booked, and your passport in hand. But someone just told you they heard your passport has to be valid at least six months after your return date back home. You look at your passport and see that [...]