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Canadian traveling to the US

Jxbber

Member
Mar 24, 2020
10
0
Hello, I am currently residing in the United States and my girlfriend is a citizen of Canada. We have plans to get married and start our spousal sponsorship application as soon as possible since we hear the process can take over a year. She last visited the states in February and has not come back due to COVID19. I cannot legally travel to Canada due to my status here in the United States so she always comes to me.

My main question/concern is, is she able to travel to the United States at this time with no issue? I know that the US/Canada border is closed but I heard it was only for car, boat, or train. Has anybody traveled to the United States as of recently?

Thank you in advance for your help.
 

PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
25,494
1,950
HI

Hello, I am currently residing in the United States and my girlfriend is a citizen of Canada. We have plans to get married and start our spousal sponsorship application as soon as possible since we hear the process can take over a year. She last visited the states in February and has not come back due to COVID19. I cannot legally travel to Canada due to my status here in the United States so she always comes to me.

My main question/concern is, is she able to travel to the United States at this time with no issue? I know that the US/Canada border is closed but I heard it was only for car, boat, or train. Has anybody traveled to the United States as of recently?

Thank you in advance for your help.
1. It wouldn't be considered "essential travel" so she would not be admitted to the US.
 

Jxbber

Member
Mar 24, 2020
10
0
Apparently, Canadians can still fly to the US (I imagine it would depend on which state as well) according to this.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/u-s-travel-restrictions-covid-19-land-border-fly-1.5607741

Keep in mind, quarantine requirements would still have to be met upon returning to Canada if conditions are the same.
This is exactly what I was reading into, I'm just afraid of running into any issues. I contacted WestJet and after explaining the situation to them they responded with "We would recommend reaching out to the US border services to see about traveling by air and entering the US. We are scheduled to be operating our US flights by then, so it would probably be alright. This can change though and the border services would be your best bet for finding out about entering the US."

My next step is to contact the US border services.
 

bluecanuck

Star Member
Nov 22, 2019
73
78
This is exactly what I was reading into, I'm just afraid of running into any issues. I contacted WestJet and after explaining the situation to them they responded with "We would recommend reaching out to the US border services to see about traveling by air and entering the US. We are scheduled to be operating our US flights by then, so it would probably be alright. This can change though and the border services would be your best bet for finding out about entering the US."

My next step is to contact the US border services.
Good luck! I'm flying to the US (Los Angeles) in mid-July to pick up my wife who will be landing as a Permanent Resident in Canada.

Please let me know what the Border services agent says
 

jitheshani

Star Member
Oct 10, 2019
132
97
I traveled last week from Canada to U.S by air on a B1/B2 visa. Border Officer asked more questions than usual but he allowed me in to visit my family.

So being a canadian there shouldn't be any problems for your GF, but the final decision is anyway up to the individual officers.
 
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bluecanuck

Star Member
Nov 22, 2019
73
78
I traveled last week from Canada to U.S by air on a B1/B2 visa. Border Officer asked more questions than usual but he allowed me in to visit my family.

So being a canadian there shouldn't be any problems for your GF, but the final decision is anyway up to the individual officers.
Travelling on a B1-B2 Visa as well. I am a Canada PR at the moment- Citizenship processing was put on hold due to the pandemic.

If you don't mind, can you share questions officer asked?

Thank you!
 

jeffofmn

Full Member
Sep 18, 2019
36
16
I flew from Vancouver to Seattle two weeks ago on B1/B2 visa, currently a Canada PR. Immigration was straightforward. Only asked the purpose and for how long, thats it. There were only 9 passengers on the flight. I saw at least one Canadian passport holder as well who flew on the same flight.
 

bluecanuck

Star Member
Nov 22, 2019
73
78
I flew from Vancouver to Seattle two weeks ago on B1/B2 visa, currently a Canada PR. Immigration was straightforward. Only asked the purpose and for how long, thats it. There were only 9 passengers on the flight. I saw at least one Canadian passport holder as well who flew on the same flight.
Thanks Bud! I'm from Vancouver as well. Good know its a straightforward process.

Appreciate it