What VISA do we need?!: Europeans flying to Canada, then touring USA.
Mar 31st, 2016, 04:48 AM
#1
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What VISA do we need?!: Europeans flying to Canada, then touring USA.
Hello all,
I've posted a topic about my upcoming trip from London to Vancouver, Canada, and then on to Seattle-SanFran. (http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...p-and-stay.cfm)
We've now applied for a Canadian eta for permission to fly to Canada, but now we're struggling to find up-to-date info on what VISA/Paperwork we need when we travel from Vancouver over the border to Seattle, and fly back from San Francisco to London again.
I'm a Dutch national, living in London, UK.
My girlfriend is a British national, living in London, UK.
We both have passports and I carry a driving license.
Any help or links would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Stefan & Brit
I've posted a topic about my upcoming trip from London to Vancouver, Canada, and then on to Seattle-SanFran. (http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...p-and-stay.cfm)
We've now applied for a Canadian eta for permission to fly to Canada, but now we're struggling to find up-to-date info on what VISA/Paperwork we need when we travel from Vancouver over the border to Seattle, and fly back from San Francisco to London again.
I'm a Dutch national, living in London, UK.
My girlfriend is a British national, living in London, UK.
We both have passports and I carry a driving license.
Any help or links would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Stefan & Brit
Mar 31st, 2016, 04:55 AM
#2
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Sorry - being american I have no clue.
But I would assume that it is your nationality, not your current residence, that is the controlling factor. Can't you look at the appropriate web sites for your own government to determine the rules applying to you? And/or look at the web site of the US Department of State.
But I would assume that it is your nationality, not your current residence, that is the controlling factor. Can't you look at the appropriate web sites for your own government to determine the rules applying to you? And/or look at the web site of the US Department of State.
Mar 31st, 2016, 06:51 AM
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You both should be able to travel to the US for up to 90 days without visas. Check travel.state.gov for specific info. They have a "travel wizard" that takes your nationality and purpose of visit to determine if you require a visa.
Mar 31st, 2016, 07:45 AM
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Here's a place to start:
http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/vis..._program2.html
The U.S. has visa waiver reciprocity with several countries:
https://travel.state.gov/content/vis...r-program.html
If you carry a passport for one of these countries, you do not need a visa for a non-employment visit to the U.S.A, as part of a trip to North America that does not exceed 90 days. Note three IMPORTANT things:
1) The clock starts ticking when you arrive in North America. You may NOT spend two months in Canada followed by 90 days in the USA.
2) The limit is 90 days, not three months. Check your tickets carefully if you want to push the limit.
3) The clock does NOT reset when you return to Europe. I was unable to find how long you must leave North America in order to get permission for another, 90-day, visa-free visit; so you'll have to do some digging yourself.
Be aware that if you exceed your limit by even one day, you'll have to apply for a visa to visit the US for the rest of your life; and our State Department does NOT look kindly on people who seek a visa after violating the clearly stated rules.
http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/vis..._program2.html
The U.S. has visa waiver reciprocity with several countries:
https://travel.state.gov/content/vis...r-program.html
If you carry a passport for one of these countries, you do not need a visa for a non-employment visit to the U.S.A, as part of a trip to North America that does not exceed 90 days. Note three IMPORTANT things:
1) The clock starts ticking when you arrive in North America. You may NOT spend two months in Canada followed by 90 days in the USA.
2) The limit is 90 days, not three months. Check your tickets carefully if you want to push the limit.
3) The clock does NOT reset when you return to Europe. I was unable to find how long you must leave North America in order to get permission for another, 90-day, visa-free visit; so you'll have to do some digging yourself.
Be aware that if you exceed your limit by even one day, you'll have to apply for a visa to visit the US for the rest of your life; and our State Department does NOT look kindly on people who seek a visa after violating the clearly stated rules.
Mar 31st, 2016, 11:55 AM
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What Paul said, you can travel in the US for 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program but you do both need to apply for an ESTA which is kind of a preclearance to make sure you are eligible, I believe the cost is about $14pp.
Travel within Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Islands counts toward your 90 days so make sure your flight to Canada is direct without a stopover or plane change in the US first. Otherwise if you transit the US to get to Canada, that entry "starts the clock".
Travel within Canada, Mexico and Caribbean Islands counts toward your 90 days so make sure your flight to Canada is direct without a stopover or plane change in the US first. Otherwise if you transit the US to get to Canada, that entry "starts the clock".
