nottellin

Looking for answer on pass port and what information it reveals!

nytraveler

You need to provide a lot more info.

What is your nationality?

How will you be crossing into the US? Air? Sea? Land?

The passport itself will reveal only the information on it. However, countries share a lot of information automatically/electronically (including people who have previously overstayed their visa and ones who have been convicted of crimes or are wanted on warrants) and this may well come up when their passports are scanned.

If you fall into any of the latter categories I strongly suggest you contact the closest US embassy or consulate to see if there will be a problem with entry to the US before you are turned back at the border.

I am confident they don't care if you have a speeding ticket - but if you have a felony conviction or undischarged warrant you may well not be able to get into the US.

fmpden

Not tell in may say something about you. After the Boston situation I am sure immigrations will take a third and fourth look at everything. Probably need to be little clearer about what you are asking if you want a decent response.

explanation

You will be photographed and have a fingerprint taken when you arrrive through a US airport.

Other information will be available through your ESTA form or your B1/2 visa, whichever applies.

What exactly is your question?

happytrailstoyou

Looks like a non-decipherable sentence from a first timer.

nottellin

I was merely asking what happens when you cross the border.. Coming from Canada, 1st time traveler and curious is all. Sorry if I offended anyone!

amer_can

Depends oin where you are coming from..Some airports have US preclearance and you are on your way after submitting your passport and stating the purpose of your visit and any questions relvant to you and your trip.. Driving..pull up, hand over the pp answer whatever questions they ask..no guns, how much licq., not over $10,000 purpose of trip.. and away you go..don't know about boats.. It is easy and painless. Although I think we were asked if were ever arrested..not convicted but arrested..Go figure!!!

gail

No one above is being nasty to you - it is just that your question lacked specifics necessary for us to answer. Coming from Canada in a car you drive into the proper lane - there is usually one for US citizens and one for others. You and all members of your car will need a passport. If you are citizens of Canada and travelling on a Canadian passport the stop is usually short - you stay in your car and the immigration guy may ask a few questions. Occasionally they may ask you to pull over and get out of the car - where they may ask other questions or look around in your car.

Sometimes this is done randomly, sometimes based on something they see or suspect, sometimes based on the profile of someone they are seeking. If this happens, stay calm - it does not mean anything is wrong and you will also quickly be on your way.

If you are driving from Canada with a passport from a country other than Canada, there are different rules, visa requirements, etc depending on from where you are from. For that you would need to either check on-line or with a US Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Have a nice trip.

nytraveler

You need to anticipate that they will run your passport - and that of everyone else in the vehicle - though a scanner that will pick up all sorts of things. If you have a clean record there will be no problem. IF you have Canadian passports. If you are another nationality - then the rules are completely different and you need to determine what they are.

they will also likely want to see the car's papers - either that you are the registered owner or that the company you have rented it from allows it into the US.

Crossing at a busy place - for instance Niagara Falls - can take 20 minutes to an hour - but almost all of that is waiting on line.

thursdaysd

If you're on the train the immigration guys will come through the train checking documents. I took the train from Montreal to New York last year, and was embarassed by how rudely the officials were barking questions at people (not to me - not sure whether it was the white hair or US passport).

See http://canada.usembassy.gov/mobile//...canadians.html

nottellin

Thanks everyone.. We are actually going on a bus trip .. We are all looking forward to New York!!

Ackislander

When a relative took the bus from Montreal to Boston several years ago on a public bus, a number of Asians were removed from the bus at the US border because their papers were not in order. I assume the papers were in order for Canada so they could be readmitted from the no man's land in between.

I assume your tour director will be sure before you leave that you have the proper papers. If you are not on a tour, be sure to check the US immigration website for details yourself.

People arriving by car should be aware that the waiting lanes are covered (at least at some crossings) by listening devices and that your conversations in the car may be monitored and what you say may be a reason for additional screening.

amer_can

Ackislander is right but not only street/road border crossings but air port reception halls also..Example..Miami for sure. No jokes, questionable statements or remarks that will trigger any delays.. Both directions,into and out of!!!

thursdaysd

Ah, I didn't know that, amer_can. No doubt that explains the deathly silence in the arrivals hall at Miami last December. I thought it was just because it was early.

nottellin

Hopefully our tour lady knows what she is doing.. We have our passports birth certificates and drivers lic for our ID. She told us we'd fill out entry forms on the bus. We spend the first night in Chelmsford Mass., so no idea where we are entering USA at. But I'm wondering if anyone can give me some web sites that will help us figure out the best way to get from New Jersey where our hotel is, to Seaport to go to a Broadway show. Our tour includes a 4hr tour of different places but think we might get to see more on foot then on a bus!!

nytraveler

No reson to go to seaport.

For show ticket go to broadwaybox.com and get discount tickets in advance - better choice of seats and of more than 2 seats together if you want. Avoid wasting time at seaport.

Are you saying you have 4 HOURS total in Manhattan? That can't possibly be right.

nyer

"But I'm wondering if anyone can give me some web sites that will help us figure out the best way to get from New Jersey where our hotel is, to Seaport to go to a Broadway show"

NJ is a big place. What town in NJ? Can't you just the take bus into NYC and then leave the group?

"We have our passports birth certificates and drivers lic for our ID. "
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...i_bg/land_sea/
Well, that could be a problem for the entire group since birth certificates are NOT valid ID for crossing the border from Canada into the US (except for children under 16, or under 19 with an authorized group)You need a passport, a passport card (special type of US ID) or what's called an ENHANCED drivers license, not a regular one.

If someone in the group doesn't have proper ID, you'll all be stuck or very delayed at the US border.
Same thing is anyone is under 18 and doesn't have proper written authorization from parents.

nottellin

Hey.. Well I had to come back to say.. Customs, really nothing to get excited about.. In and out in like 10 minutes and there were 53 of us!! I also have to say.. New York was beyond anything my imagination could have imagined!! In love, I'm hooked, I'll be a world traveller from here on in!! Thanks for all the feed back, much appreciated!!

happytrailstoyou

Thanks for the report. Apparently you were lucky to be on a bus (and to spend time in NYC).

HTtY