After I get off the Amtrak train and arrive in BC what can I expect? Will there be a lot of paper work, a lot?

Question

of waiting?

Answer 1

There is only one train per day that comes from Bellingham, WA to Vancouver, B.C. All other Amtrak traffic coming through Washington State to B.C. is via Amtrak Thruway Bus.

Before issuing a ticket, Amtrak personnel will look at your I.D. to make sure you have what is needed to cross the border. Upon boarding the bus, the driver will hand you a declaration form to have filled out prior to crossing the border. On it you will fill out your name, address, purpose of travel, and items you need to declare.

The bus crosses through the Pacific Border Station, a few miles east of the Peace Arch border station. It is set up for passenger bus service. You will be told when to exit the bus, gathering all of your belongings both carry-on and in baggage, and take it all with you through the customs station.

The customs agent will review your I.D., you declaration form, ask a few questions such as where you are traveling from, where you are traveling to, purpose of travel, where you are staying, and how long your stay is to be. Providing the answers and your demeanor is satisfactory, you will be approved for entry. When everyone on the bus is processed, it is reboarded, and resumes the travel into Vancouver.

Anyone who is refused entry into Canada, for whatever reasons, is briefly detained, then sent over to the U.S. side to catch a bus back into Bellingham or Seattle.

On average, to process an entire bus takes less than 15 minutes. If there are a number of busses to be processed and waiting in line, then there can be some delays.

Answer 2

I dont know that Amtrak per se comes into Canada but anyone arriving by train, bus or plane (public transport) is given forms just before arriving that they have to fill out. When you arrive in Canada (or cross the border) and any other country you then go through customs and immigration with your forms.

When traveling by bus everyone will get off the bus at the border, and go in to present their documentation, the bus will be checked - generally with dogs - a few people will be selected to open their luggage - and you will all wait until the bus is cleared and you are cleared before re-boarding.

I suppose trains work much the same way (?)

If memory serves me right there is an immigration paper, you need to put in your ID information, numbers etc. Where you are staying. there will be a customs declaration form, and a medical form

Answer 3

i don't know what do you mean? when i was traveling on Amtrak from Chicago to Vancouver BC i needed to change (train to bus) in Seattle, as Amtrak did not provided service from USA to Canada. anyhow, crossing border took only 10-15min and no parer work at all. (was traveling on UK passport).

Answer 4

Canada and Bc is stupid place under dictatorship programs and most of are TAX go for older people go los angeles they have free training and nice programs for Canadian also

Answer 5

no its done on the train