Posted: 7/14/2005 5:13:23 PM EDT
| I got offered to spend a week in canada for vacation, but Id like to know what it takes to cross the border. How many forms of ID do I need? Do they do a criminal background check? Can I get in if I have misdormeanors on my record? What about DUI (I wont be driving while there)? |
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These days you're gonna want to take either your birth certificate or a passport with you. Used to be all you needed was a drivers license. Don't take any guns, bullets or anything pertaining to guns with you either. Standard questions are: Citizenship? Where are you going? What are you bringing in with you? (no, they don't want to know how many pairs of underwear or knit sweaters you're brining). Your experience at customs should last about 45 seconds. If they're really interested in you that is. |
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Passport got me to Ottawa a couple of years ago. No problems. I have never understood those that want to travel to another country, yet don't want to get a passport.  It reminds me of the machined inserts that let you shoot .30 carbine rounds in a 30-06. Sure you CAN do it, but why? |
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I took a birth cert but have never needed it, just drivers license. I think next year you'll have to have a passport to return to the US though. I've been asked if I have ever been arrested, I haven't so the misdemeanor issue I don't know about. They mainly ask you a bunch of questions to try to determine if you're trying to smuggle or are involved in criminal activity, or else if you're really just on vacation or if you plan to stay a while. I wouldn't take any firearms, parts, or ammunition. For questions about criminal history etc I'd find their customs and immigration website and they probably have the info right there. |
| If for some reason you are sent to the more in depth check on the side, as opposed to just the meet and greet at the booth, expect to be turned away. A DUI is a big no-no in Canada, and they will reject you. A few years ago when crossing for a bear hunt, the family in front of us got turned back because dad had a DUI several years back, and he wasnt even driving the family wagon!!! Their whole vacation was ruined........ |
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I went up last august to visit a friend. We didn't even have to show ID crossing into Canada at midnight. Coming back on the other hand...they decided they didn't like the look of the car, pulled us over to their little depot, and proceeded to tear the car apart. |
 Birth certificate and a picture ID will do. I can't honestly tell you if a DUI from the States will be a cause for refused entry. Up here it is a criminal code conviction which means you now have a criminal record. I'd contact Canada Border Service here and check. |
It is. One of my employees was denied entry. It was a misdemeanor offense in MI, but Canada considers it a Felony, and no Felons are allowed in. There is an application process you can go through to get an exemption. |
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I was strip searched one of the last times I went. By a homo no less. I was traveling to toronto to see the CN tower, and we were pulled over and searched. It was only then that I realized that I was an international drug smuggler. After about 1h 45min we were back on our way though. The last time I went was for sars stock, and we were wearing sombreros and sitting in recliners in the back of a full size van. I could not believe that they did not stop us. Just asked for drivers lisenses and sent us on our way. |
Correct. Well, except for the terrorists that go there from other countries but enter without any documents because they flush them down the toilet in the airplane and then are given asylum. If they ask you about any convictions just say no. It's not like they are going to check. They're more concerned if you try to bring in booze or cigs. |
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I had to show a birth certificate to get into Canada a few years ago (by plane) I think they are going to require a passport or visa (whichever) soon. I had a client stopped at the border by the canadians because of a misdemeanor arrest from decades ago where the court forgot to report that it had been thrown out. |
The Canadian Socialist State will harbor any criminal or terrorist if they might face the death penalty in the US. You weren't aware of this? |
| I've been to Canada many times, in fact this year's vacation is in Toronto. The border crossing is so simple, just be sure to have your Driver's License and Birth Certificate. If you are taking any kids with you the B.Cert is mandatory. Unless you get arrested for something while you are there they shouldn't check your background. |
+1, I heard that too. You can be an islamofascist bent on blowing up a US landmark and they'll let you into the country but an American with a DUI is barred fron entering...go figure. I always carry my US Passport when I leave the country anyway and never have had a problem. |
| Haven't been in 15 years, will never go back and am not about to spend any of my money in that country ever again! In my opinion the Canadian Govt. is far to anti-American and far to socialistic to suit me. Besides...there is absolutely nothing in Canada I need or want! |
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I've been in Canada many, many times on business. Always drive across (DUh!!!). Never have had a problem... getting inspected sucks... make sure you have proper ID, no weapons, blah blah blah... It's like a whole nother country!  Oh, Canadian cole slaw and mac&cheese... SUCK!!! 
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Been there many times. Even brought back a wife.  ( The only good looking one left is her sister) I've always carried a passport, but presented my Army reserve ID card. No problems whatsoever. You can pass thru customs in Edmonton or Calgary so fast it's amazing. I've gone from plane to rental car in under 15 minutes. Keep in mind, Canada is actually 5-7 different countries in attitude. Alberta, where my in-laws are, is more midwest US than the midwest US is. You'd swear it was Nebraska but for the license plates. LOTS of gunowners and farmers. Quebec, and both coasts, (esp Vancouver) well, they have a different plane of reality going on there. Not pleasant places for an American. |
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I had my SUV extensively searched at the border between WA State & Canada, because the crack Canadian authorities spotted empty shell casings in the back. They must have asked me 2 dozen times "You're not going ANYWHERE until you show us the guns." Fortunately, the gun wasn't hidden in the car, it was hidden on me. So....I did what anyone would have done. Emptied a 15 round mag, killed the Canadians made a hell-bent run for Alaska!!!! Yeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's all true minus the murders. BC is a beautiful place....other than the shitty weather. |
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I visited Canada several years ago. I took my ID and a laminated wallet-sized birth certificate copy with me. They never asked for the birth certificate, but I handed them off as a pair anyway. Some US counties will give you a BD in this form if you ask for it. It is more convenient than toting a large, folded sheet of paper in your wallet. One thing that struck me was the difference in attitude of the Canadian and American border staff. The Canadians were always very polite. They went out of their way to smile and say thank you, etc. The American guards weren't surly per se, but they always had a tired look on their face and the tone of their speech was 100% business. The Canadian guards were also younger. One of them was a girl who couldn't have been more than 25 years old. I didn't have trouble coming or going, though the American agent did have to explain the concept of declared goods. I'd purchased three books in a 2nd hand book shop in Canada and I didn't think used stuff was something one had to declare. As others have written, a passport may soon be required to gain entry back into the USA. This is a good thing for security but it will be hell on tourism. A passport is a heck of a lot of trouble to obtain. I think a lot of people will forego visiting Canada if this measure passes into law. Galland |
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Both sides keep your crossing history based on your license plate number. The more you cross, the less intrusive the questioning becomes. I guess they consider you more trustworthy? I've been going to Windsor about every three weeks or so the past couple of years. I hardly get a second glance now. (Watch, now that I said this I'll get the secondary inspection next time.  )
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Let me tell you about Canada: 1) In 1996, my company asked me to accept a two-month TDY, as the Toronto office was shorthanded. I accepted, and shipped a box of winter clothes to cut down on my airline baggage. Two months later I shipped the box back. Canadian customs opened the box, and charged duty on all items in the box. The steepest duty was imposed on a Burberry’s lined raincoat: the one that had frayed seams and cuffs, and had a New York, NY label! 2) Two years ago my brother took his Harley to Alaska. My brother is a free spirit, looks like a biker dude: long hair, ear-ring, etc. At the border, he was quizzed for about an hour. A much condensed version of the interrogation follows: Q: What do you do for a living? A: Nothing, unemployed. Q: Oh, so I guess you’re rich, huh? A: No, I do odd jobs and get by. Q: Is your father rich? A: My father is dead. Q: But he was rich, right? A: No, he was a blue-collar printer. Q: But Harleys are expensive. You must be rich. A. I bought mine used, purchased from a police department. Q: Hmmph. Do you own any guns? A: Yes. Q: How many? A: I don’t know. 20, maybe 30. Q: THIRTY GUNS!! [ Calls supervisor ] This guy owns 30 guns! Sup: Sir, we need to look inside your gas tank. A: Huh? Sup: Yes, we’re going to put an optic device inside your gas tank to look for guns. A: Uh … OK. (My brother did NOT have a .50 cal minigun in his Harley gas tank) That’s Canada. Socialistic, intrusive, Big Brother insecure jealous milquetoasts. |
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For whatever it's worth: Montreal Canada has--by far and away--the highest percentage-of-the-general-population of women-I'd-hit of any place I've been. The average looks of the women there boggles the mind. I'f you're single: Go to Montreal Canada. Stroll down Crecent Street. Get an outside table at the Hard Rock Cafe...one just has to go there to understand. And too: The last time I was there--no shit--I saw eleven obese people. Yes, I counted them. I did so after a friend asked if I'd noticed the lack of obesity there during a previous trip. I still haven't found where they keep the old people. I saw a 6'2" Chinese-looking chick there in China Town. Speechless. |
Obviously, muslim terriorist caught in Afganistan by US forces notwithstanding. |
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I'm a dual citizen Canadian/American, live twenty miles from the border, and cross the damned thing about 5 times month. Crossing into Canada is relatively easy. Here is the to do list: 1) Don't be a wise ass. You'd be surprised how many morons just seem to want to prove they can stand up to an authority figure by mouthing off. Take a great big serving of STFU BEFORE you get to the border. 2) Shut the radio off, take off the sun glasses, and loose the attitude. Answer the questions claerly and concisely 3) You'll likely me asked the following: Where are you going? how long will you be there? What it your citizenship? Where do you live? Do you have gifts or merchandise in the car? Do you have any weapons/guns/mace/pepper spray? 4) Bring the best ID you have. If you have a passport, bring the damn thing. Otherwise, Driver License and Brith certificate (you rarely need to show ID). 5) Answer the questions and do not try to anticpate the questions. If you are not asked about a previous criminal record/arrest/ etc, then Shut the F$%K UP! Do not lie and do not try to skirt the issue, but do not "volunteer" information. 6) Do NOT bring the following into Canada: Firearms (long guns need to be registered and need a 'purpose', handguns are verboten for Non-residents). No pepper spray or mace (Considered Prohibited weapons tha same as a M60 MG, or a handgrenade believe it or not). 7) If you bring booze there are two items you MUST adhere to: It must be in quantities 'reasonable' for your stay (case of 24 beer for a week, one bottle of hard liquor) and it must be for personal consumption. I bring booze into Canada all the time. Customs officer: "Do you have any alcohol or tabacco in hte car? Me " No tobacco but I do have a six pack of beer for personal consumption. The for personal consumption is magic. It gets you through the border. These Customs officers are concerned primarily with tax revenue. They want their taxes on that booze/cigs and are deathly afraid you might, gasp, give it to some Canadian who will then have a tax free drink or drag!!! Remember: "for personal comsumption"... You will rarely ever have to deal with the arrest issue. If you have been hauled into the office to answer additional questioning, its likely because you raised a red flag becasue you are acting cagey, or you have diarrhea of the mouth and they are going to wring you out because you are mouthy little dick.. Leave the OC and the fireapower at home. Loose the attitude. Drop the shades and kill the radio. Smile for this nice little peckerhead in the blue polyester suit. STFU. Yes. No. Thank you. and Please. Bring your Drivers license/Birth cert or Passport, na dhave them IN HAND. Have a nice trip.......... For what it is worth, I used to live in a Canadian border town, and crossed into upstate NY twice weekly all summer, every summer, for years to go to a NY rod and Gun club. Three or four or five rifles, 500 rounds of ammo, and never a problem. The right paperwork and a good attitude counts. Times have changed somewhat (I don't do the guns thing anymore with the exception of the occasional Quebec Moose trip ), but attitude still counts. [b]Your attitude and mouth will determine whether or not you get it, get turned back, or get the full coverage-all orifice workover... |
Don't forget the chewing gum...Americans always chew gum (scene from Godzilla) Essayons |
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I've been to 19 countries and the only one I ever had a problem getting into was Canadia. I went to Toronto for work and, evidently, they don't like American contractors coming up to do work that Canadians could do. None of this applies to your situation, though. btw... They LOVE it when you call it Canadia. Try it.
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Very well aware of it. Yes our immigration, refugee policy is pathetic. I don't expect it to change until we get hit by a terrorist act. I don't want to turn this thread into a pissing match but I'm willing to bet there are a hell of a lot more sleeper cells in the US then there is up here. |