Originally Posted by
bingocallerb22
Well, once at YYZ I passed USA screening but later wanted to go back out. Was told I could NOT leave, forbidden, I had technically passed into the USA and there was no incoming Cda desks in that part of the airport. So... if he had a smoke in the washroom, would he be charged by US police? Are Cda laws in force there? hmmm
You were lied to. Probably by someone who didn't feel like helping you.
The pre-clearance areas at Canadian airports are in Canada and subject to Canadian law, not US law.
Your presence in such an area means nothing more than that you are probably going to be allowed to leave your U.S. destination without having to speak to CBP. Even that is not guaranteed - just the most likely thing to happen.
Of course you are allowed to leave the pre-clearance area. What about people whose flights are cancelled? Or people who just decide not to fly?
There might be some administrative hassle involved - perhaps passage through some door off the beaten path somewhere, but nobody can prevent you from leaving the airport.
To the OP - on many occasions I have entered the UK for under an hour to visit the AC arrivals lounge at LHR. Presumably the same thing happens elsewhere in situations where people can enter countries without a visa.
It all depends on you ability to enter Canada and the US without difficulty. Are you able to enter Canada from the UK without any hassle? Are you able to enter the US
from Canada without any hassle? If so, you will have no problem leaving the airport either for a smoke or a night in a hotel room.
If you expect to encounter any hassle, expect it in either case just the same.