What is the procedure in entering Canada from Seattle by car?

Question

I will be going to Canada for the first time, and I have some questions.
I am under the impression that green card holders (permanant residents of US) do not need to use any sort of visa to enter Canada if the purpose is to visit the country. If I am wrong, please do not hesitate to corrct me. :)

The questions are as follows:

1) I'm a green card holder, and I have a valid foreign passport. When I go thru the US-Canada border, do I need to show the officers my passport and my green card??

2) I also have a valid Canadian traveling visa which has never been used before. Do I need to notify the officer that I have a Canadian tourist visa?

3) Is there any forms to fill out? Is it one form per person or per car?

4) From your experience, how long does it take to get thru the Seattle border on Friday mornings?

5) What kind of questions do the officers ask? Just curious

6) Finally---For now, do US citizens only need to show their birth certificate and valid DL?

Answer 1

1) No, either one will do. Bring them both (most of your documents) as back up, but either will do. You can use your passport along with the visa, or your green card. You need to prove 2 things when crossing the border, your citizenship status and your identity. A passport proves both, and as a green card has a picture it proves both as well. Most Americans us a birth certificate to prove they are American, and it doesn't have a picture. That is why they have to produce 2 documents. But you will have a divers license as well anyway.

2) Only if you use your foreign passport for entry.

3) 98% of the time none. If you fly everyone fills them out. If Canadian or American driving, only in special cercumstances is there paperwork.

4) Plan on a 30 minute wait and hope for a 10 minute wait. Friday afternoon plan on an hour wait and hope for a 20 minute wait. The closer to friday evening you get, the busier. Canadian radio station news1130 gives traffic reports every 10 minutes that include border waits. You can listen for which crossing has a shorter wait time. Right at the border there is also a station that gives border tips and wait times.

5) They usually start with what the nature of your trip is, business or pleasure. They then go into specifics on what you will be doing. Both sides of the border are getting pretty inquisitive, what you want to see and do while visiting. And they ask what your job is. From your ansswer they seem to decide that you have a job to return to and can afford a vacation, or you don't seem to be a smuggler or you aren't trying to cross for work purposes.

6) Hard to see you angle on this one? Yes, Americans and Canadians do not need a passport yet to drive accross the border. That tentatively is schedueled to change sometime next year. If you are traveling with others, what you list is all they need. But your case is no different, you are just using a green card instead of a birth certificate.

Answer 2

you're able to no longer have any issue regardless of the undeniable fact that i could examine with the Canadian Consulate first to ensure that a visa isn't required. As for paying for up the I-5 will take you suitable as much as Canada crossing on the Peace Arch Border Crossing. finding on the day you're able to be in for a wait so be arranged for that. Vancouver has plenty to do, it relies upon on what you like. besides museums there is snowboarding purely out of the city (Grouse Mountain), a sort of eating places and golf equipment, and, in case you intend on staying some days, Whistler is purely a1 to 2 hour force from Vancouver. in case you get a brilliant gamble you additionally can take the ferry from Tswassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria) which has an "English" experience to it in factors alongside with the Royal BC Museum, the Parliaments homes, and a number of different issues to work out and do.

Answer 3

1. Yes, both
2, Don't think you need it, but if they ask, then show it.
3.I have never had to fill out a form, but am a U.S, citizen.
4. Don't know...never done that.
5.Usually, your purpose for going to Canada....like shopping, visit a friend, etc.
6.Yes