Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with border

Do I have to leave Canada to enter Canada?

Shepherd — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:00:50 -0800

Can I visit a Canadian border station without leaving Canada? Long story short: wife (U.S. citizen) needs to renew a temporary resident permit (TRP) to stay in Canada, we screwed up the paperwork, and there's a 4-6 month wait to process these things.

But she has an immigration interview in New York in January; we have to leave the country (obviously) for it. We'd much rather have a fresh TRP than have her try to re-enter Canada with an expired TRP and an explanation of how we screwed up the extension paperwork.

We live very close to a border station, and were considering just driving down and -- since it's where the TRP was initially issued -- seeing if they could issue another one rather than mailing everything back to the government. It's the same money and requirements there on the spot as it is far away.

BUT... she has "implied status" while she lives in Canada, since the extension hasn't been REFUSED, just on hold until we re-submit the appropriate paperwork. We don't want to LEAVE the country and re-enter to see them at the immigration desk, because if they can't renew the TRP, she might not be allowed back in. Period.

So: do we have to LEAVE Canada to see the people at an immigration station on the U.S. border? Or is it allowable to drive/walk over to it from the Canadian side and visit without leaving Canada?

This is most probably the station by Stanstead, if it makes a difference: Derby Line, VT on the American side.

Best way to plan a timely day trip from Rochester to Toronto?

agentmunroe — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:48:39 -0800

TorontoFilter: I have a ticket to go to this event on Friday, at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. I live in Rochester, NY. What are my options for getting there on time? My original thought was to just drive there and drive back same-day. I'd leave Rochester at about 5AM; Google Maps estimates a 2hr40m drive, and the past few times I've been through Canadian customs it was only a few minutes through. I'm a reasonably capable driver, I have a Garmin with Canadian maps and I enjoy road trips, so this is my natural inclination.

I'm wondering, however, if customs is going to be far worse at "commute-time" (since anyone trying to get to Toronto by 9am will be crossing around the same time), if the traffic is likely to be bad in Toronto (while I've been to Canada a few times recently I haven't been to Toronto in ages), and if my previous plan is a little fool-hardy. If the traffic is going to be gnarly and it's easy/on-time to use public transit or a train, I'd rather just do that then stress over traffic/lanes/turns/parking/etc. Looking at Google Maps, I'm noticing the theatre is only one or two blocks away from both a subway stop and Union station... so I'm wondering if one of these would be advantageous.

Normally I'd totally be up to spending the night in a hotel, but at the moment I'm in-between client checks, and a hotel close to the event is more then I'd like to swing right now - for that reason I'm really looking towards an in-and-out day trip. I suppose a hotel on the outskirts of Toronto or somewhere in-between Toronto and Niagra Falls would be an option too, but I'm not sure where a good place to check would be, so suggestions there would be good.

So, any thoughts? I notice there's a morning train that runs from Niagra Falls to Toronto, which seems reasonable if the train is actually on-time. I assume I could also park somewhere outside the city and take the subway, but I'm not sure how much time that would save. Or am I too worried about Toronto traffic and I'll be fine just driving in?

Heading off trouble at the Peace Bridge

randomination — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:57:28 -0800

My I-94W visa waiver, given to me at the US border, was not collected when I crossed back into Canada. Will this be a problem if I want to come back? I am a British citizen and permanent resident of Canada. On a weekend trip to northern New York state in early July, I was given an I-94W at the Buffalo/Fort Erie border, for which I had to pay $6. The US border official told me that I could keep the form in my passport if I wanted to make any more short trips in the following 90 days.

On the way back two days later, I was waved on through into Canada, and the I-94W was not removed from my passport.

I thought nothing more of this, but idly Googling around this morning, I saw this and it alarmed me.

The waiver expires in 48 hours, and understandably I don't want anybody at the US border next time I cross to conclude I stayed longer than 90 days when I only stayed a weekend. Am I worrying about nothing, or do I need to send them a bunch of proof to show I came back?

Where has my movie Gypsy gone?

Jubey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:04:20 -0800

Name that Aussie kids' movie - - does anyone remember a kids' movie back in the 80s about a boy and his lost border collie, Gypsy? I'm racking my brains to find this, Google has revealed nothing. The plot from my hazy memory is that a schoolboy's (could be girl) border collie goes missing and it's all about how he finds it. I think it was set in a small country town. We were shown it at school around 1984/85. The dog to my memory (and the movie, I thought) was called Gypsy. I've searched the Australian database of movies for that time and it doesn't seem to exist. The theme song went a little like, "Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy, Gypsy, where has my dog Gypsy gone?" (Repeat adinfinitum). At the end, he gets the dog back. Shocking, I know. Does anyone remember this or have I made the whole thing up? It may be a made for tv movie but I don't remember it as such. Thanks!

What is my risk here?

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:48:56 -0800

I live in Canada. I have a friend in US who is battling cancer. She has asked me to pick up an alternative cancer remedy and bring it over the border to her in New York. The treatment is Coley Fluid, which is essentially high doses of Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens bacteria. It has not been an approved therapy in the US since 1962. (The basic idea behind the treatment is that is causes high fevers in the patient, which then kicks the immune system into high gear. I understand that the reasoning behind this treatment might strike you as absurd, and believe me -- I totally get that. But that's not really what the question is about.)

For my drive over the border, I'll have a prescription for the treatment, and she's told me to tell the border guards that I'm bringing an alternative cancer treatment to a friend. She wants me to drive to the nearest UPS location and overnight the package to her.

My question is basically, is this illegal? If so, how illegal? If I'm stopped at the border and the treatment is seized, could I also be arrested? I'm happy to try to get this medication to her if the worst that happens is that I'm unsuccessful. If could also be arrested and/or fined, I'm just not willing to take that risk. I'm guessing that mailing the treatment to her via UPS also may be illegal -- am I right in assuming that? If it complicates things, I am a Permanent Resident in Canada -- I will not be eligible for citizenship until early 2010.

Email can be sent to coley.question@gmail.com.

Need to colocate servers in the US without Customary interference.

barc0001 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:50:25 -0800

We've just acquired a second colocation facility for redundancy and for geopolitical separation of our services (in other words, Canadian customers on Canadian boxes, US customers on US boxes for many pain in the ass reasons I won't get into here.). Our office is in Canada and the second colo facility is in Seattle. What sort of fresh hell will we unleash by taking servers purchased here across the border? We actually haven't bought the servers yet, and the two options are buy them here (Canada), install and test them here, and then bring them down to Seattle and rack them up, or buy them from somewhere in the US, have them transshipped and go meet them at the co-lo in Seattle. The first has the potential to cause problems at the border, the second has the potential to just cause problems period as the install and vetting will be problematic away from head office. So I'd prefer to do the install and test in Canada first.

I've looked around a bit but haven't found any real pointers as to what paperwork I'll need to fill in or how to categorize this. I've seen a few things about importing equipment to work in the US (like at an office) and the same for taking stuff across for personal use, but is this not different since we're literally dropping these things off at a cage in Seattle and any "work" will be done from Canada on them? Any suggestions where to find the paperwork that will turn any frowns upside down at the border?

Lost my Brazilian Entrance Form

ashaw — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:15:07 -0800

I´ve managed to lose my Brazilian tourist immigration card (Cartao de Entrada, i think). It´s two white forms stapled together, which was stamped along with my passport when i entered Brazil at Foz de Iguassu border. What should I expect when I fly out of Rio de Janeiro intenational airport next week? What can I do to sort this problem out?

Packing and stressing

tingting — Tue, 12 May 2009 06:20:10 -0800

tingting and the dog are heading out of Canada and back to the US of A, where I grew up. Can my houseplants cross the border? Could they take 2-3 days in the back of a closed U-haul truck? Is taking a U-haul across the border a nightmare? Anything I can do to prep? The Dog papers are all in order. Question submitted to US Customs & Border, but no response yet. Muchos gracias.

Is a HealthCanada card a legit photo id?

ascetic — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:22:27 -0800

Is a Health Canada card considered government issued photo ID? My friend is visiting from Canada and I would like to know if her Health Canada card will be sufficient for US Customs and Borders. She has her birth certificate to prove her citizenship.

Don't shoot, I'm a book dealer

crazylegs — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:51:51 -0800

What can I expect from a US border guard if I go into the USA from Canada carrying packages of things I've sold on ebay to mail in the USA? I've been selling things on ebay for many years. I've mailed hundreds and maybe thousands of packages from Canada to the USA. However Canada Post has become so ridiculously overpriced that I'm looking into a new method to save money. I live in Kingston and can drive over the border to Wellesley Island in New York in less than half an hour, mail things at the post office there, and save huge amounts of money. However, something tells me that the border patrol may have a problem with this, even though I can apparently mail things to the USA with no problem. What's the difference between mailing something and taking it over the border in a car? Will the border patrol make me pay duty on these things? Will they require me to have some sort of proof of sale? I'm particularly looking for answers that can be positively backed up with an official source of some sort, ideally the US Border Patrol, or Customs, or whatever. I have three packages of used books that were sold for very little money (US$50, $18, and $10). Is there a minimum limit below which they don't care about it? I could just not tell them about them, or tell them I'm giving them away, or sending them to friends, but I know from experience that you DON'T want to start playing those games with US Customs. If they sense one thing that's a bit funny it gets very weird very fast. So I'd rather be totally honest about what I'm doing, but don't want to pay duty or taxes.
Sorry for being so long winded. Thanks!

getting to Tijuana from Los Angeles

waylaid — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:06:23 -0800

Is there a good way to get from Los Angeles to Tijuana directly? Greyhound seems to run several direct buses a day, but I wasn't sure if there was another option (direct - so Amtrak isn't an option). I also have never taken Greyhound on the west coast (used to a lot on the east coast), so I'd appreciate knowing people's experiences! Also, how long can I expect the journey to take with the wait in customs (and how long will it take on the way back?)

Need advice re. crossing U.S. border for my wedding

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:40:00 -0800

How paranoid do I need to be about crossing the US border to get married? I'm a Canadian. I currently intend to cross into the USA to marry an American in California in May, then as a honeymoon take a leisurely road trip up the West Coast: drive up the coast, drop the rental car off in Seattle and re-enter Canada from Seattle (being picked up by my parents) to begin our life together in Vancouver.

I've been told by acquaintances that American border guards are extremely paranoid, though, and my best course of action is to pay the extra money for a return ticket and NOT tell anyone at the border I intend to get married and return to Canada with my husband -- essentially, I'm being told I should try to deceive the border folks. Their rationale is that the one-way ticket plus saying I'm getting married will red-flag me as not admissible, even though I am also presenting the rental car agreement (which is not pre-paid, so maybe not that "binding"), a copy of my municipal tax bill to show I am a property owner, recent utility bills to show I am living in the property I own, pay stubs and my business card to show I am employed, and a letter from my employer stating that I'm expected back at the end of May.

Neither of us are wealthy, and even the extra $200 for a return flight (uncancellable) or the $150 or so in cancellation and related fees for a $1000 "cancellable" flight would be a significant hardship. Plus, if the border is really in that high a state of anxiety, maybe a cancellable flight would be just as bad as none at all. I have no idea.

The idea of both spending $200 (or rolling the dice on a hassle-free refund on a much more expensive plane ticket) rubs me the wrong way. So does the idea of lying to the border agents.

If it matters, and it might: I'm white, Canadian-born and have always lived in Canada, mid-thirties with a spotless record and an uninterrupted employment record for the last 20 years. There's nothing "weird" in my past, and I don't fit any of the racial/social profiles that seem to attract extra scrutiny under normal circumstances. My fiancé is similar, except for a misdemeanour about a decade ago on an otherwise flawless record.

I'd really like some insight here: is it worth a hard-fought $200 that we really don't have, and outright deceit at the border, to try to get into the USA for a marriage when I really, honestly, truly have absolutely no intention of staying? How likely are US border officials to deny me entry for my own wedding?

Can I cross the following borders on foot (both ways)?

Dee Xtrovert — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:32:28 -0800

Can I cross the following borders on foot (both ways)? Romania / Hungary, Hungary / Slovakia, Slovakia / Poland Recently, I traveled from Romania to Ukraine and back, and it was impossible to cross the border on foot. I had to find a car willing to take me across the border. This was doable, but it took some doing. That said, I realize I was crossing outside the EU, and all the countries mentioned now are in the EU. So is it the same hassle, or can I do it by foot? I plan on hitchhiking, which is why I ask.

No, it really is just a plant.

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:17:21 -0800

I'm an American living in Canada. I'd like to buy a plant from a store in Canada that is legal in Canada but not in the US. Will I get in trouble? It's illegal in the US because it could be considered an entheogen, although I don't have any interest in using it as one. I have no intention of taking it across the border. Ordinarily I would go physically to a shop and buy with cash, but for this it isn't really an option; I have to use a credit card or Interac and therefore create some sort of a paper trail.

So I guess my question is: is there any sort of "information sharing" that goes on with Canadian credit card agencies or banks to government agencies in the US? Am I liable to be subject to extra scrutiny at the border or other trouble because of this?

Exclavefilter: How do I build a cabin in Point Roberts without breaking any laws?

upc_head — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:31:10 -0800

Exclavefilter: What is involved in building a small cabin on a wooded lot in Point Roberts? What grief might I expect from the border? I'm doing some planning to buy one of many small wooded lots in Point Roberts Washington. I live in Vancouver, and am a Canadian citizen.

I am aware of the grief obtaining Power, Water, and Septic in these lots, and in the short term would avoid these things. Just a 350 Square foot cabin with RV-style cooking, water, and septic systems, totally self contained.

What is the best way to obtain building materials? (wood, roofing, hardware etc). Will I be taxed on this if I bring it in from Canada? Can I legally bring wood into Canada? If not, how do I get it over from the mainland?

What about materials like stove, windows, furniture etc as I acquire it? And tools/generator etc?

Zoning in Point roberts - I know I have to apply for anything larger than 200sq feet. If I promise to handle my septic via pumping service, what other hoops would I need to jump through to get a permit?

What other big pain in the butt issues will I have to think about?

how do I teach the cat my room is taboo?

krautland — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:48:23 -0800

how do I teach the cat my room is taboo? I'm currently sharing a house with a cat.
said cat likes to sneak into my room and crash on my bed.
I'm not a huge fan of that given that it's not my cat.

how I do I make the cat understand to stay out of my room?

Can I change the flight of entry into Japan, after obtaining the visa?

Masi — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:22:03 -0800

Does anyone here know what documents, besides your passport and visa, are needed at the border entry into Japan? I will go to Japan this September. I have recently obtained my visa, after a process which included submitting to the Japanese embassy a dossier of files, which included my scheduled itinerary in Japan, my hotel reservation, my flight reservation, proof of money etc.

My question is: are these documents checked upon entry in Japan? I know that the visa is not a guarantee of being allowed entrance into the country.

The reason I ask is that I have just found that if I fly through Nagoya instead of Tokyo, the cost of the flight is halved. But my dossier says that I'm arriving through Tokyo, via a certain airline.

Could I change my flight, or would that cause me trouble at the border and would probably make me go back home?

What is your experience at the Japanese border?

Thanks!

Free Vector Graphics/Borders for a Wedding Invitation

snap_dragon — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:42:27 -0800

I am looking for the best sights for vector border graphics as I am designing my wedding invitations. Anyone recommend some decent sights? When I googled I did not get many sights with much. Thanks for your time and consideration!

Shipping computers across the Canada & U.S.A. border

danwalker — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:05:58 -0800

I'm in Canada, and I need to send some computers to our office in the U.S.A. (Vermont, to be more specific). Will the hardware be inspected by customs or other security as it crosses the border? A colleague is certain that we can't ship a computer across the border without it being seized and inspected by border security. I've never heard of this, outside of a laptop being carried by an actual person going through customs.

A quick Google turns up lots of info on duties and cross-border shopping, but not much about actually shipping a box of computer equipment into the States. Does a policy/practice/rule about cracking open every box to inspect the computer hardware inside exist? If so, can you tell me anything about it?

Can you get there from here?

thrako — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:45:18 -0800

Are there any convex nations? A convex nation is one where: given two locations in the country the straight line connecting the two points lies entirely within the country (and not in the ocean). I can't find any countries that meet this definition.

If we add territorial waters, how many nations are convex? I can't find good maps that show territorial waters, so I don't know which nations have "dents" in their waters.

Drive to Mexico with just a drivers license?

eas98 — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:24:48 -0800

Can I drive in and out of Mexico with just my drivers license? I'm visiting a friend in California and we thought we might drive down to Mexico for the day. However, I have heard that the entry/exit rules have changed this year and you can no longer make the trip with just your drivers license. Is this true? Has anyone tried this in the last month or so? Are they adamant about this or is it strongly suggested but not required? If I manage to get into Mexico with only my DL will I be able to get back out?

Making a run for the Border?

ph00dz — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:24:37 -0800

How does the Mexican Border work? So... I was talking with a band last night who were on tour from Washington, and they were all like, "Dude, we crossed the Mexican Border for a minute out by the dunes on I-8, heading east from San Diego to Phoenix."

Are they right? Did they really cross into Mexico?

What I'm asking is this: is that truck fence that you see off I-8 really the Border? If a person jumps from one side to another, are they truly leaving the United States, or does the real border lie some distance from the highway?

This is what I'm talking about... (Although that's a different band / guy, for whatever it's worth.)

I spy with my little eye

wittgenstein — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:15:44 -0800

What do you look at/notice, as you wander through the world, that I probably ignore? The origin of this question was my teaching students how to recognize the seven border patterns (sometimes called "frieze patterns"). After I taught this the first time, I suddenly realized that there are border patterns all over the place; I just never noticed them.

This made me wonder what people who are different from me pay attention to as they wander around. If you are a designer, what do you see that I ignore? If you are a plumber, what do you see that I ignore?

I think this isn't chatfilter, but delete if you think it is.

NEXUS or NOT?

patr1ck — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:35:51 -0800

Should I get a NEXUS pass? (For US-Canada border crossing.) I'm Canadian and will be moving to the states next year for work. I plan on coming home at least twice a year, and the NEXUS pass seems like good idea. But I'm curious:

1. Will I really save that time at the border? (I'll be flying between SFO, San Francisco, and YYZ, Toronto, most often if that matters.)

2. Is it really a good idea to hand over my fingerprints and iris map (or whatever, "eyeball thingy", I say) to both the US and Canadian government? I've never committed any major crimes, nor do I plan to, but I still feel a bit paranoid regardless. Are there any assurances my data will be kept extremely safe?

3. What have been your general experiences with the program?

Thanks!

Can I get into America with this ID?

ITheCosmos — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:30:49 -0800

Can I, a Canadian citizen, get through the American border, by car, with the following pieces of ID: - Canadian birth certificate
- recently expired Candian passport
- expired Ontario driver's license
- Ontario health card.

I'm in the process of getting a new passport, hence the sketchy ID situation. I've poked around the American customs website to no avail, so I'd like to hear about others' experiences. I know that birth certificate + photo ID works: would a health card, which I know isn't enough to get you across by itself, work? Thanks!