US/Canada boarder question - Benzworld.org

**420 SE** · 12-26-2007, 02:43 PM

If you have an US or Canadian passport, do you need it to cross back and forth from/to the US/Canada?

Besides my Australian passport, I have a Canadian (and UK) one and am wondering even using the Canadian one (which I have never used) may make it a little easier to cross from the US into Canada and back.

We are thinking of a trip over there next Xmas.

Edit; my title spelling is appalling....

drewprof · 12-26-2007, 02:46 PM

what are you? James bond?
I don't think you need a visa just come on in and welcome

**420 SE** · 12-26-2007, 02:50 PM

No, as Aussies we don't need to pre-arrange a visa, we get one on arrival.

But we do have to go through a very painful immigration check process (photos, fingerprints, etc...) instead of sailing through the 'other' lines at immigration.

drewprof · 12-26-2007, 02:53 PM

The last time I went to Canada I only had to show them my driver license. The crossing was faster than going through a toll at rush hour

yoseyman · 12-26-2007, 02:59 PM

I once saw a sign that read "Drink Canada Dry" so I thought WTF I'll go try.

nobby · 12-26-2007, 03:14 PM

You don't NEED a passport to cross by foot or car yet, but it is always the best document to travel with. Way less potential hassle.

**mcbear** · 12-26-2007, 04:27 PM

Um, that passport law just changed recently. As of January you need a passport for coming back from Mexico, Canada, Bahamas and other places where a DL was all that was required.

It was the reason for the big passport backlog a few months ago that jammed up thousands of peoples vacations. So they made a waiver. It still appears murky to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by US Customs

However, as of January 31, 2008:

* Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted
* U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
* Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
* Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel

Travelers Reminded of New Document Requirements Beginning January 31, 2008 - CBP.gov

This is why I got such a kick out of the suggestions that we could just send the 20Million or so Undocumented Aliens back to Mexico and have them just process back through to get their jobs back, lickity-split. The Customs service bogged down to a grinding halt with 2 Million advanced passport requests - from Americans.