US Travel for new Canadian citizen

[mumbai1985]

Hello,

I was an Indian citizen and became Canadian citizen on Aug 15.

My cousin is coming to Niagara falls USA this weekend and wants to meet with me. What are my options to go to Niagara falls USA by car without valid Canadian passport?

1) I still have a valid I-94 on my Indian passport - can I use that to go to USA? I guess Indian consulate would never know that I used my Indian passport after getting Canadian citizenship as it would not be stamped, but I would be lying to CBP officer about my citizenship.

2) Anyone had success in using Canadian Citizenship certificate in lieu of Canadian passport to enter US?

I think I can easily come back to Canada with my Citizenship certificate.

Appreciate your opinions.

Thanks.

 

[sns204]

I've recently used my certificate at the land crossing. You won't have a problem with that. Don't present it with your Indian passport, though.

 

[mumbai1985]

I've recently used my certificate at the land crossing. You won't have a problem with that. Don't present it with your Indian passport, though.

Thanks. But I'm worried about what to use to enter US. I see that you are US citizen as well and as such you can use your US passport to enter USA.

 

[sns204]

Thanks. But I'm worried about what to use to enter US. I see that you are US citizen as well and as such you can use your US passport to enter USA.

My bad... misread your post!

 

[Joshua1]

I don’t think you will be able to enter the US with your citizenship certificate according to the CBP https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/619/~/visiting-the-u.s.---documents-required-for-canadian-citizens-/-residents-/

I was thinking that since you also hold an Indian Passport with a US visa you might be able to that. However, (you should know more than me on this) since India does not recognize dual citizenship, the border agent may not want to accept it as an admissible document. Maybe you could call the CBP and ask.

 

[mumbai1985]

I don’t think you will be able to enter the US with your citizenship certificate according to the CBP https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/619/~/visiting-the-u.s.---documents-required-for-canadian-citizens-/-residents-/

I was thinking that since you also hold an Indian Passport with a US visa you might be able to that. However, (you should know more than me on this) since India does not recognize dual citizenship, the border agent may not want to accept it as an admissible document. Maybe you could call the CBP and ask.

Thanks. I would need to lie to the cbp officer about my citizenship. As long as my Indian passport is not stamped as canceled, I'm hoping that I could still use it.

 

[Joshua1]

Thanks. I would need to lie to the cbp officer about my citizenship. As long as my Indian passport is not stamped as canceled, I'm hoping that I could still use it.

I’d strongly advise against lying to a border officer... if using the Indian passport is illegal, you could be banned from the US for 5 years even if you’re a Canadian citizen or go to secondary processing each time you try to cross. You have to device if it’s really worth the hassle.

Edit: you have to decide*.... not device

 

[mumbai1985]

I’d strongly advise against lying to a border officer... if using the Indian passport is illegal, you could be banned from the US for 5 years even if you’re a Canadian citizen or go to secondary processing each time you try to cross. You have to device if it’s really worth the hassle.

Agreed. Although it is against Indian nationality law to use Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship, violation usually only attracts a monetary penalty. I can be truthful and tell officer that I'm Canadian citizen, but would like to use Indian passport - dont know what will happen. WIll US know that India does not allow dual citizenship?

 

[razerblade]

I’d strongly advise against lying to a border officer... if using the Indian passport is illegal, you could be banned from the US for 5 years even if you’re a Canadian citizen or go to secondary processing each time you try to cross. You have to device if it’s really worth the hassle.

This. Lying could get you banned, and these days it's very easy to get banned. They just need an excuse.

 

[mumbai1985]

This. Lying could get you banned, and these days it's very easy to get banned. They just need an excuse.

Totally agree. It was a bad idea to even think about.

Btw, I found some info on bls website that there is a 3 month grace period to use Indian passport after getting foreign citizenship. It isn't very clear whether I can use it just as identity or both identity and travel. Anybody have any experience in using it?

 

[steaky]

How about you both meet in the US without the need to show any travel document? Peach Arch park near White Rock, BC is one of those places.

 

[EstherBarros]

How about you both meet in the US without the need to show any travel document? Peach Arch park near White Rock, BC is one of those places.

Niagara Falls in on the other side of the country? lol

 

[steaky]

Niagara Falls in on the other side of the country? lol

But they both need travel document to travel there! See the problem?

 

[EstherBarros]

But they both need travel document to travel there! See the problem?

Seems to me the cousin is already going to be in that region, and it is happening this weekend (tomorrow/sunday), so that doesnt seem feasible.

Also, I'd love to know more about not needing a travel document to cross into the states at Peace Arch ! Do you have more information, or a source etc? thanks!

 

[mumbai1985]

I've decided not to meet him tomorrow. He will just mail out some documents that I need. Appreciate all your suggestions.