Canada/USA border crossing

[Aussam]

How has peoples experiences been with border crossing from Canada to the U.S with Permanent Residency but without the PR Card?
Do you still go into the little room like if you had a Canadian work permit?

 

[scylla]

It really depends on what passport you hold...

 

[chakrab]

PRs still need visa to enter US if they are required to do so based on their nationality. so in that case, it is no different.

 

[figtoria]

We cross back and forth over the Buffalo area borders (all 3 bridges) all the time and my husband has never been asked for his PR card, just his passport.

 

[Aussam]

I'm Australian, we need to have an ESTA to travel through the U.S

 

[Aussam]

It's just every time I've gone through the U.S from Canada at a border crossing while I have a Canadian work permit I get put in the little room (depending on how busy it is, sometimes it's a 2 hour wait) and I'm wondering if it's different when I become a Canadian PR?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

It's just every time I've gone through the U.S from Canada at a border crossing while I have a Canadian work permit I get put in the little room (depending on how busy it is, sometimes it's a 2 hour wait) and I'm wondering if it's different when I become a Canadian PR?

Yes, it's much different because unlike permit holders, PRs actually have the right of entry to Canada.

EDIT: Never mind. Didn't read the original post properly, thought OP was asking about entering Canada.

 

[truesmile]

I think Aussam you're talking about entering the US, no? Once you have PR, apply for your Nexus card and you'll be crossing (assuming approved) in record time. The fee is $50 and they're valid for 5 years.

 

[keesio]

I think Aussam you're talking about entering the US, no? Once you have PR, apply for your Nexus card and you'll be crossing (assuming approved) in record time. The fee is $50 and they're valid for 5 years.

You have to be a PR for at least 3 years before you can apply for Nexus.

 

[Aussam]

Yes, entering the US.
It just sucks having to wait in that room for ages especially when you want to go to an event like the hockey.
I guess there's no way around it until I get the Nexus!

 

[truesmile]

You have to be a PR for at least 3 years before you can apply for Nexus.

No you don't. That requirement was lifted, all Nexus members were notified of the change. My wife's Nexus has been conditionally approved (only the interview verifying documents remains), after only one full year of PR.

 

[lokyy]

No you don't. That requirement was lifted, all Nexus members were notified of the change. My wife's Nexus has been conditionally approved (only the interview verifying documents remains), after only one full year of PR.

you mean for Canadian-American Citizens because otherwise for green card holders or PR of Canada you still need the 3 year residency in Canada or in the US

 

[keesio]

Yup, more details here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/notice-avis-eng.html

 

[truesmile]

Interestingly, we recently had an interesting chat with a US border official. We went in to get my wife's I94 attached to her newly acquired Nexus card on our way back from the US, (not sure how similar an I94 is to an ESTA). Contrary to some thinking around here including my own, if your I94 is multiple-entry and you don't turn it in upon returning to Canada (which you only need to do as long as you do so before it expires), then there is NO exit record (US) of you returning to Canada . . . Hmmmm.

Aussam, a Nexus will card will expedite your crossing except for those times that you need a new ESTA and are sent inside to 'Document Control', assuming they work similarly to I94's.