FAQs-PRs Transiting via US to enter Canada by land

[HamiltonApplicant]

A lot of PRs are forced to transit via US to enter Canada by land, absence of a valid PRC or PRTD is the most frequent reason. Some pointers based on my experience in a FAQ format assuming the PR is not a US citizen.

Question. Can I transit through US to Canada even if I am a non USA citizen?
Answer: Yes, if you have a valid US visa.

Question. How does US immigration handle a transit to Canada?
Answer: If you have to go past the yellow line next to the immigration officer, it is an entry to US territory from legal standpoint, not a transit. Transit means you don't need a visa and need not go through immigration.

Question. If it is not a transit, how will my entry be treated?
Answer: It will be treated like a temporary stay for non immigration purposes.

Question. What should I demonstrate to US immigration in order to enter USA?
Answer: You should convince the officer the temporary nature of you stay and your ability to support yourself during your stay. US authorities would like to be sure that you will leave US voluntarily and would not burden the tax payers.

Question. Are there any questions US immigration officers always ask?
Answer: There are no standard questions. Most frequently probed are: Purpose of the visit, duration of the visit, and the US address.

Question. If am transiting to Canada, what should say as the purpose of the US entry?
Answer: It depends; If you are not staying overnight in the US, optimum answer is "transit". If you staying in the US for more than 24 hours. you can add other reasons as well.

Question. If am transiting to Canada, what should I provide a US address?
Answer: It depends; If you are not staying overnight in the US, you need not provide any address. If you are staying in the US overnight, provide the address where you will be spending the first night. US immigration frequently asked me whether I have any relatives in the cities I planned to visit.

Question. If am transiting to Canada, what should If provide as the duration of the stay?
Answer:Obvious!

Question. If am transiting to Canada, should I demonstrate my ability to support myself during my stay in the US?
Answer: Not really these days! It is assumed that you have demonstrated your ability foot your bill to the US overseas missions. A bit contradictory to what I said above, I know...

Question. If am transiting to Canada, what should I declare to the US customs?
Answer:Everything that need to be declared per rules when a visitor enters USA.

Question. If am transiting to Canada, should I provide documents to US immigration to prove my Canadian PR status?
Answer: Strictly speaking No! However, it is good to have some documents to prove it, makes the process a lot more easier.

Question. If am transiting to Canada, can I use any US port of entry?
Answer: It is better to use a city near the Canadian border as US port of entry, like Detroit or Seattle. The US immigration officers stationed near Canadian border are more likely to be aware of Canadian immigration process and PR related matters.

Happy transiting!

 

[Bs65]

Also worth reminding people although hopefully obvious that in order to enter the US even passing through or transiting an airport they still need a US visa unless they hold a visa waiver passport where they need an ESTA.