It seems like I was technically incorrect. However, back in 2007, I called the actual Canadian port of entry (Peace Arch) and asked on-duty border agent if I require passport besides my GC. His answer was definite "yes". It seems there is no consistency in Canadian immigration matters too.
Green Card holder traveling to Canada
- Thread starter dhlunar
- Start date
Thanks for the answers guys.
When my wife was on student status we used to go to Canada about every month because we near the Canadian border. She of course had to have a visa back then. One time after she got a visa she entered Canada and the immigration officer said that she didn't need to get a visa so fast because her last entry was within 6 months and she could use the prior stamp to enter. A majority of the time we went through a major border crossing where they would just stamp her passport with very little questions.
Once an officer at a major border crossing asked me a bunch of questions and got to what I suspect was going to be his last question, "So, I take it we have two Americans in the car?" I said, "No, I am an American and she is a (stated her citizenship)." He then was about to send us inside to immigration because he seemed clueless regarding immigration law or lazy and didn't want to stamp the passport.
Another time we entered through a small border crossing that only had one lane. My now wife was on OPT status at the time, and she gave all of her documents to the guy at the window. We could tell the guy was new, clueless and seemed puzzle. He left the window open and one of her documents almost blew away, that she wife had to jump out of the stop car and run after the document. She got it. By this time a supervisor saw what was going on and said that he would process us and asked us to park the car and come inside since we were holding up the line. We went inside and the first thing he did was gave me my passport back, he review her documents and said everything was ok, stamped her passport and we left. A couple of weeks later we entered Canada at the same POE and the supervisor was at the window and remembered us and just let I through with no questions.
When my wife was on student status we used to go to Canada about every month because we near the Canadian border. She of course had to have a visa back then. One time after she got a visa she entered Canada and the immigration officer said that she didn't need to get a visa so fast because her last entry was within 6 months and she could use the prior stamp to enter. A majority of the time we went through a major border crossing where they would just stamp her passport with very little questions.
Once an officer at a major border crossing asked me a bunch of questions and got to what I suspect was going to be his last question, "So, I take it we have two Americans in the car?" I said, "No, I am an American and she is a (stated her citizenship)." He then was about to send us inside to immigration because he seemed clueless regarding immigration law or lazy and didn't want to stamp the passport.
Another time we entered through a small border crossing that only had one lane. My now wife was on OPT status at the time, and she gave all of her documents to the guy at the window. We could tell the guy was new, clueless and seemed puzzle. He left the window open and one of her documents almost blew away, that she wife had to jump out of the stop car and run after the document. She got it. By this time a supervisor saw what was going on and said that he would process us and asked us to park the car and come inside since we were holding up the line. We went inside and the first thing he did was gave me my passport back, he review her documents and said everything was ok, stamped her passport and we left. A couple of weeks later we entered Canada at the same POE and the supervisor was at the window and remembered us and just let I through with no questions.
cafeconleche
Registered Users (C)
Koenig, I'm sure there is inconsistency when the requirements are put into practice. The one time I went to Canada by car, I showed my GC, and I was asked if I had a passport, so I showed my RTD. But, people on this forum keep saying that they've never been asked for anything more than a GC. The website I provided is the CBSA and is the official guide for transporters. So, a bus company or airline would allow one to board if they paid attention to these guidelines, but again, I'm sure not everyone is up to speed.
gc_wait_485
Registered Users (C)
I visited Canada via Niagara Falls by car two years ago and was asked to show my passport along with GC.
I am visiting Canada again this Summer and will definitely have my passport on me to make 100% SURE!
I figure that passport is very light-weighted to carry around
I am visiting Canada again this Summer and will definitely have my passport on me to make 100% SURE!
I figure that passport is very light-weighted to carry around
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Having passport along with the GC has other advantages as well. If you suddenly need to fly back or to fly to a third country, passport will be a must. In other case, if you loose your GC, you will need to go to a consulate with your passport. Even if you decide to head straight for the border, you will need a passport to try to get in in the absence of a GC.
cafeconleche
Registered Users (C)
Unfortunately, I can't get a passport
cafeconleche
Registered Users (C)
Yeah but if I don't need one, I'd rather not shell out almost $400 for one. I do have an RP that's still valid until the end of May, but I might go in June.