Canadian travel laws?

[BobT]

Can someone point me to a good official source of information for Canadian laws with regard to travel from outside?

I've been trying to find an official government HSOforum that specifically identifies whether or not a passport is required for a US citizen to travel into Canada by land. Just about every site I visit refers to the recently passed US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which takes effect on June 1, 2009 but doesn't specifically state whether Canada's laws will require the same.

Our congress has postponed this initiative so many times over the past few years, I can't trust it'll still be in effect on June 1 so I would like to konw what Canada is planning on doing.

It seems that for now, Canada may not be changing their laws just yet but for some reason I thought I found something a while back that has me wondering.

Thanks,

Bob

[Down Deep]

Search Canadian Immigration. The HSOforum has all the information you will need. Last I heard is that the June 1 deadline requireing passports for travel from Canada to the US by auto or foot is still going to take effect. Passports are going to be required so it might be prudent to get one now before 10 million people waiting for the last minute clog the system again.

[grizzald]

Having a passport at the border speeds up the process of getting through alot. A couple years ago when all the talk off passports being needed fired up, our entire fishing group, which heads up to Canada every spring, went out and got our passports. The border patrol likes it a lot when you hand them your drivers license and passport at the same time. Trust me, they have told us its a lot quicker and easier..

[BobT]

I do understand and agree that it is easier to cross with a passport. Always has been. I'm just trying to find the ruling so I can share the information.

If someone is planning on crossing the border it is adviseable to obtain the appropriate credentials to avoid issues.

Thanks,

Bob

[marine_man]

The regulation regarding passports / border crossing cards by ground is being required by the US, not Canada. So, you'd still be able to get into Canada with your drivers license and birth certificate (sometimes required, sometimes not... depends on the day and how suspicious you look), but you will need the card or passport to return to the US by ground after June 1 at this point.

marine_man

[gonorthanychance]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-eng.html

gonorth

[BobT]

What about after June 1. Is Canada planning on following suit with the US WHTI?

Bob

[marine_man]

Not from what I understand. The issue will continue to be getting back into the US.

marine_man

[Cheers]

A passport is not required for entry into Canada. It is not going to be required for entry into Canada in the near future.

A passport will be required by the U.S.A. to go home !

CANADA does not require passports ! America does

[Big Kahuna]

Canada does not officially require a passport, but the U.S. will, and a customs officer told me they will not let you into Canada unless they know you can get back into the U.S. So by default, you will need one to get into Canada.

[BobT]

That is an interesting point. My first reaction was why would Canadian customs care whether I can get back? But then after further thought it occurred to me that it would be to my disadvantage to end up in Canada, no passport, no VISA, no intention to immigrate and unable to return to the US. One could be in quite a pickle under those conditions I suspect.

I wonder what would happen? Deportation to the US where I don't have a passport to prove residence? Nothing but a can of worms.

Bob

[Down Deep]

I'm pretty sure that US Customs would look at a persons drivers license and admit them with an advisement to get a passport before attempting their next crossing.

However, they could be ordering up some prison buses to transport everyone without a passport to Leavenworth. LOL