Suzanne_Watson

We are hosting a German AFS student. His US visa is one entry, one exit. We want to see Canada for a day (Niagra Falls). Is this doable or will he need an new visa? Worried we won't be able to bring him back into the US. That would be a problem.

PalenQ

You will only get a definitive answer by contacting U S State Department Customs bureau. One entry one exit is pretty clear - have him get another visa to be sure.

baladeuse

I work as a lawyer in Canada in a city on the US border and have had a number of clients who were visiting the US, came to Canada for the day and then were not allowed back into the US. He should definitely apply for a multiple entry visa before leaving the US.

jamikins

Seems pretty cut a dry - one entry, one exit - what you want to do will require two entries so he will need a different visa.

Dukey1

Don't worry, Suzanne, if you wait long enough, somebody will come up with some sort of goofy exception or scheme such as having the visitor go over the falls in a barrel, etc., It is inevitable around here.

Viajero2

I was going to respond-- "this is a NO BRAINer" but I don't want to offend the Original Poster...:-?

nytraveler

Some people were so usd to popping in and out of Canada in the past that they seem to froget that it is a soveregin nation with it's own laws - and immigration.

Will the student have - or need - a visa to get into Canada to begin with? And one entry to the US does seem a no brainer.

lincasanova

You have been given good advice. You must contact immigration to solve this issue or be content with seeing the falls from the American side. He can take the tour under them.

xyz123

Just another indication of the paranoia of the USA since 11 September 2001. While Europeans are trying to reduce border red tape between what are supposedly friendly countries within the eu (Schengen), the Americans have added a great deal of red tape between the USA and Canada. It used to be little more than a quick couple of questions, show some ID and back and forth you went. Now you need a passport and whtever visas are necessary (of course the reason is US immigration has to put up some restrictions at the US Mexican border and despite the fact there is little going on at the US/Canadian border, they have to do the same thing or be accused of racism (incidentally none of the 9/11 vermin entered the USA via Canada despite what John McCain said). Therefore, expect a great deal of red tape and amke sure your papers are in order.

xyz123

Aren't citizens of Germany covered by the visa waiver program and do not need a visa to enter the United States? They are no longer required to fill out the I 94 W green form when flying into the USA although as I understand it they have to register with the US State Department via a web site. Is the German a student entering the USA on a student visa? Don't take anybody's word here. Checi with the US State Department or the US consul general in Germany.

lincasanova

This is a STUDENT . They are on a special visa with restrictions.. not like the waiver program for tourists.

xyz123

You don't have to shout....I left that possibility open in the response.

Alec

There is a possibility of the German student crossing into Canada from US at the Niagara Falls, and re-entering using visa waiver. No ESTA is required as it's a land border, but he will have to pay a fee of around $6, and he will have to complete I-94W (the green form everyone had to complete before ESTA). If everything is fine, he will be allowed in and a visa will be stamped into his passport.

Now there is always a possibility that he may not be allowed in, so you need to weigh up the risk. If you are going to chance it, I suggest he gets a letter from whoever is organising the student trip setting out the itinerary and confirming he is a bona-fide member of the group and travelling back together to Germany.

lincasanova

I am sure the organization that has arranged this homestay has informed the parents that these students are not to go border crossing. You must speak to immigration ahead of time.

First get permission to even take this kid out of the country, then see how it can be done.

nytraveler

We have had how many terrorist attacks - and attempted terrorist attacks? And most of the Canadian/US border is obviously open - to someone who doesn;t mind hiking a fairly long distance. but I see no reason not to check carefully who comes over the border. People entering Schengen have to go through Immigration - and I'm sure there are some high risk people entering who get special attention. Not having borders between the Schengen countries is the equivalent of not having borders between the 48 contiguous US states - or the Canadian provinces.

I don;t think anyone is suggesting that Schengen not have any Immigration control at the first entry are they?

Apres_Londee

lincasanova raises an excellent point- you can't just take minors across international borders. Technically you should have a notarized letter or sworn affidavit from his parents granting you very specific permission to take him into Canada.

bigtyke

My cousins' cousin (Ceci) from Chile was going to school in California. While in San Diego, the family visited Tijuana as they did every year. When coming back to the U.S., they discovered that Ceci had only a one entry visa. A disaster was averted only becasue my uncle was a judge and was allowed to straighten things out back in Sacramento.

Don't risk it.

Suzanne_Watson

I did think it was a no-brainer but had heard a few people say that a one-day visit caused no issues, but that of course, is subjective to the person manning the U.S. door so-to-speak. Won't risk it.