Do Permanent Residents need an ESTA?

[grahamangus]

I'm a permanent resident and thinking of travelling to the US, do I need an ESTA to fly or does my PR card suffice for all travel in and out of Canada now?

Sorry for the basic question, i've never dealt with ESTA's before so know very little about them.

Thanks!

 

[sonnenstern]

Why should your PR status in Canada should have anything to do with travelling in the United States? The PR card is for Canada and proves your permanent resident status in Canada. Why should it do anything for the US?

 

[grahamangus]

Why should your PR status in Canada should have anything to do with travelling in the United States? The PR card is for Canada and proves your permanent resident status in Canada. Why should it do anything for the US?

As I said, i'm unfamiliar with the ESTA rules/usage etc, and was under the impression that you need an ESTA to fly in and out of the US when on a WHV. Does that rule still apply as a permanent resident?

Again, unfamiliar with ESTA's and what they are/when they're needed, so any info would be great.

Thanks,

 

[zardoz]

As I said, i'm unfamiliar with the ESTA rules/usage etc, and was under the impression that you need an ESTA to fly in and out of the US when on a WHV. Does that rule still apply as a permanent resident?

Again, unfamiliar with ESTA's and what they are/when they're needed, so any info would be great.

Thanks,

Yes, you need an ESTA. Do you see anywhere in the ESTA application where it mentions permanent residents of Canada?

 

[grahamangus]

thanks, i'll delve into this a little on the ESTA website

 

[jes_ON]

Entry requirements to the USA are based on your country of citizenship (e.g. which passport you hold), and becoming a PR does not change that. If you do not need a visa to travel to the USA, you need an ESTA to travel by air, but not by land.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1192/~/canadian--citizens%2Fresidents%2Flanded-immigrants-entering-the-u.s.

"Residents (PR) of Canada who are landed immigrants need a passport and visa to enter the United States, unless they are a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If they are a citizen of a country eligible for the VWP, they are only required to have their valid passport - coming by land or sea. If coming by air, they will need to have advance approval to travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). To obtain a list of countries eligible for the VWP, please reference the Department of State Web site."