Source
r/travel•
BackspaceMan

Questions about going to the US and Canada in one go

I'm going to the US and then Canada soon (I'm from the UK), I just need to know what I need to satisfy Immigration etc. When I get there/cross over.

A few people I know have been asked to show their ticket for leaving the US, will my ticket for leaving Canada do? Or do I need to book a flight across the border as well?

Wikitravel says they'll mainly be concerned about whether or not I have the funds to support myself, do I need to bring a bank statement to prove this?

How specific do I need to be about where I'm going? I'm flying to New York (I'll have my accommodation there booked first), then travelling across to LA, then up the coast to Vancouver, then across to Toronto and flying home. I'm going to be winging it a bit, will they want a bit more information about what states etc. I'll go to?

I'm planning on 4 weeks in the US and 2 in Canada, so outstaying my visa isn't a worry.

Also any advice on places to visit/avoid would be welcome!

Posted Jun 7, 2010, 4:49 PM UTC

54
dsmyte•

Well, as a Canadian I can only tell you that for me to visit you, I just need my passport, so I'm going to assume it's the same for you.

For things to do, I'm assuming you'll be here in the summer.
Go to Niagara Falls, but don't spend too much time there, instead, head to Niagara-on-the-lake for some Canadian wine tasting.

If you give more exact dates I can be more useful!

In Vancouver, my favourites: Stanley Park and Whistler.

2
Afaflix•

for the US you'll need the passport, a second ID, a third ID, a 27B-6, birth certificate of your dog, a very unimportant looking, shabby piece of paper with an unreadable stamp on it and your own supply of vaseline.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html

just give them a clear planned itinerary, no matter what you really do. No one will come by in week 2 at mentioned hotel and check if you are really there.

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distilledw•

Seriously the more information you have at the visa/immigration the desk the easier it is for you and the agent.

I went travelling and had to apply for 2 visas. They straight away asked me for bank statement, get a recent one showing your account when it has the most amount of money in it. They also wanted some information on where i was staying when i arrived and my plan for leaving.

Give them the address of the first place you are staying at and if you have a ticket for leaving show them that as well i think.

Entering Canada was a whole lot easier, i was way less prepared and although the guy seemed a little skeptical i was able to get through. But it definitely pays to have an adress or phone number of the place you are staying.

2
Dundun•

I'm not an expert on visa issues, but perhaps it would be easier to get a bus pass from Seattle to Vancouver that you can use during the interview and then just cancel later.

When I had to apply for a Schengen/British visa to travel in Europe a couple years ago, I also booked some Best Westerns so I could show them a detailed plan that would put them at ease. After I got the visa, I promptly cancelled all my bookings and traveled at my leisure.

-if you do this, make sure you are able to cancel bookings without a fee. This is true of most hotels, but bus bookings may be different.

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rajulkabir•

A few people I know have been asked to show their ticket for leaving the US, will my ticket for leaving Canada do? Or do I need to book a flight across the border as well?

Ticket home from US/Canada will be accepted as proof of intended departure by the other. No need for a flight across the border.

As for proof of funds, a bank statement or two can help, but usually flashing a credit card is sufficient.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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