Crossing Canada - US Border

carcuscrae

dickydonkin wrote: »

Having just done the train trip from Vancouver to Seattle - it seems the procedures have now changed.

The full picture is that I flew into Vancouver from the UK and my itinerary was to travel to Seattle by Amtrak, fly down to Los Angeles (where I am now) and return to the UK from LAX.

We checked in at Pacific Central station in Vancouver for the trip to Seattle and our passport was processed with a US entry stamp - however, we did not fill in a I94W form - but still had to pay 6 USD PP.

I questioned this with the charmless Customs Officer and he stated we do not have to complete a I94 form. I expressed my concern to him that when we departed the US from LAX - would that not cause problems?? Apparently not - as long as our passports were stamped.

When we reached the Canada/US border, I again asked one of the officials who was checking documentation on the train, if we needed to fill in a I94W form and he confirmed that we do not have to.

I still feel a little uneasy - but we will see when we leave the US next week.

Hi

Thanks for the update, it's very useful. Could you please confirm how it went when you leave the US next week. I go on the 13th so it would be nice to hear everything went ok. :-) I have to go back to Vancouver on the train to catch my flight home so hopefully everything will be ok.

Just a couple of other things. What time train did you catch to Seattle, i'm going on the 6.40am so i'm wondering how early I need to get there? I also need to pick my tickets up at the station in Vancouver, not sure if you had to do that or not but if you did was it easy to use the machines?

Thanks

dickydonkin

carcuscrae wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for the update, it's very useful. Could you please confirm how it went when you leave the US next week. I go on the 13th so it would be nice to hear everything went ok. :-) I have to go back to Vancouver on the train to catch my flight home so hopefully everything will be ok.

Just a couple of other things. What time train did you catch to Seattle, i'm going on the 6.40am so i'm wondering how early I need to get there? I also need to pick my tickets up at the station in Vancouver, not sure if you had to do that or not but if you did was it easy to use the machines?

Thanks

We got back yesterday and did not encounter any problems at Los Angeles on our return to the UK - despite having no I94W after crossing the border from Canada.

I again asked an immigration officer who boarded the train at the Canada/US border if we needed an I94W and he again confirmed what I was told in Vancouver that as long as we had the entry stamp in our passport - we would be fine.

This was also confirmed by a Border Official on the US/Mexico border - so don't worry.

Our train was the 06:40 to Seattle and we prepaid online in the UK, however, the voucher you need to print off will need to be handed in and you will receive your tickets when you check in at Pacific Central Station.

We paid a few dollars extra for 'business class' which basically offers a little extra legroom, an allocated seat and gets you to the front of the queue when checking in. I am assuming that the same check in and ticketing process applies.

Once you receive your tickets, you then will be 'processed' by an immigration officer who will stamp your passport - but you still have to pay a $6.00 pp fee. I would also suggest you mention to him that you are returning back into Canada as I don't know if this will make any difference in your situation.

I don't know where you are staying in Vancouver, but if you are near one of the skytrain stations, the Pacific Central railway station is right outside Main Street/Science World skytrain station.

Incidentally, the Canada Line was an excellent option into the city from the airport and we were fortunate insomuch our hotel was close to City Centre station.

This was my first visit to Vancouver and the weather was fantastic - it is a very beautiful and clean city - but a little expensive, however, I'm sure you will enjoy your trip.